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Symptom Checker

Step 4: Read and complete the decision guide to learn more about your symptoms.

Understanding New and Severe Abdominal Pain

The nerves that detect pain within your entire intestine (stomach, small and large intestine, and rectum) were originally "wired" to the midline of your abdomen. As your intestines lengthened and twisted, they spread out across a much larger area. Nonetheless, all areas of your intestine retain nerve connections to your midline, and pain from every area of your intestine can be felt in your midline. You may also feel pain in your midline from a solid organ that is centrally located. To further narrow down the various body organs that may be the source of your pain, please continue.

Going from the top of your abdomen to its bottom, please select the place you feel your pain the most strongly:

Upper abdomen (your stomach area)

Middle abdomen (in the vicinity of your navel)

Lower abdomen (above your pubic bone)

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