What Causes Sharp Stomach Pain That Comes and Goes?

Your stomach is basically the drama club of your body: one minute it’s quiet, the next it’s doing a
full Shakespeare monologueloud, sharp, and wildly confusing. If you’re dealing with sharp stomach pain
that comes and goes, you’re not alone. The tricky part is that “stomach pain” can actually come from
your intestines, gallbladder, kidneys, appendix, abdominal muscles, or even reproductive organs. And the
on-and-off pattern matters: pain that waves often suggests a different category of problems than pain
that’s constant and steadily worsening.

This guide breaks down the most common causes (from “annoying but usually not dangerous” to “please don’t wait”),
how doctors think through the possibilities, and the red flags that mean it’s time to get medical help fast.
You’ll also get a 500-word “real-life experiences” section at the endbecause sometimes the best way to
understand abdominal pain is to hear what it tends to feel like in the wild.

What “Sharp” and “Comes and Goes” Can Mean

1) Crampy vs. colicky vs. pinpoint sharp

People use “sharp” to describe a lot of sensations. Three patterns show up often:

• Crampy, squeezing pain that rises and falls: commonly linked to intestinal movement (gas,
  diarrhea, constipation) or conditions like IBS.
• Colicky pain (waves that start and stop suddenly): often associated with something trying to
  push through a narrow tubelike a kidney stone in the ureter or gallstones affecting bile flow.
• Pinpoint, stabbing pain: can happen with gas pockets, muscle strain, ulcers, inflammation,
  or sometimes more urgent issues depending on location and symptoms.

2) Location is a clue (even if it’s not a perfect map)

Not all abdominal pain is “the stomach.” Where you feel it can hint at what’s irritated:

• Upper middle (epigastric): indigestion, reflux, gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis.
• Upper right: gallbladder issues (especially after fatty meals).
• Lower right: appendicitis is a classic concern, but other causes exist too.
• Lower left: constipation, colitis, diverticular disease (more common in adults).
• Flank/side to groin: kidney stones or urinary causes.

The pattern over time matters too. Pain that improves after passing gas or using the bathroom is often less
alarming than pain that steadily escalates, wakes you from sleep repeatedly, or comes with fever, vomiting,
fainting, blood, or yellowing of the skin/eyes.

Common Causes (Often Uncomfortable, Usually Manageable)

Gas and bloating: the master of disguise

Trapped gas can feel surprisingly sharpand rude. It can create pressure that mimics “real” organ pain and may
come in waves as gas moves around. The giveaway is often that symptoms shift, improve after burping or passing
gas, or show up after eating quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, chewing gum, or eating certain foods.

Common triggers include beans, onions, some dairy, sugar alcohols (often in “sugar-free” products), and big
meals eaten at warp speed (your digestive tract did not consent to that timeline).

Indigestion (dyspepsia) and reflux

Indigestion can cause upper abdominal discomfort, burning, fullness, or painsometimes sharp, sometimes
pressure-like. It may flare after spicy, greasy, or acidic foods, large meals, stress, or certain medications.
Reflux can add heartburn, sour taste, or symptoms that feel like “stomach pain” but sit higher in the chest or
upper abdomen.

A helpful clue: indigestion often has a relationship with meals (during, right after, or a few hours later).
If symptoms are frequent or persistent, it’s worth discussing with a clinicianespecially to rule out ulcers,
gallbladder issues, or other treatable causes.

Constipation (yes, it can be sharp)

When stool slows down, the intestines can cramp as they try to move things along. That can create intermittent
sharp pains, bloating, and a “why is my abdomen auditioning for a percussion solo?” feeling. People may also
notice infrequent stools, hard stools, straining, or the sensation of incomplete emptying.

Stomach bugs and food poisoning

Viral gastroenteritis and foodborne illness commonly cause crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes, often with
nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes fever. Symptoms can start within hours to days depending on the germ.
Many cases improve with time and hydration, but severe symptoms (dehydration, blood in stool, high fever, or
symptoms lasting more than a few days) deserve medical care.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common condition where abdominal pain is often linked to bowel movements and comes with changes in
stool frequency or form (constipation, diarrhea, or both). Bloating and gas are frequent side characters.
Stress, certain foods, and disrupted sleep can make symptoms louder. IBS is real and miserablebut it doesn’t
damage the digestive tract the way inflammatory diseases can. It’s still important to get evaluated if symptoms
are new, severe, or paired with red flags like weight loss or bleeding.

Abdominal muscle strain or “abdominal wall pain”

Sometimes the culprit isn’t inside the belly at all. Coughing hard, intense workouts, heavy lifting, or even
awkward twisting can irritate muscles. This pain may feel sharp, worsen with movement or pressing the area, and
improve with rest.

Causes That Deserve Faster Attention

Intermittent pain can still be seriousespecially if episodes are intense, recurring, or paired with specific
warning signs. These conditions are common enough (and important enough) to know.

Gallstones and biliary colic (often after fatty meals)

Gallbladder pain classically appears in the upper right abdomen and may radiate to the back or right shoulder.
It often builds to a steady, gripping pain and can last minutes to hoursthen fade. Many people notice attacks
after rich or fatty meals or at night. Nausea or vomiting can happen.

If upper-right pain is accompanied by fever, persistent vomiting, or yellowing skin/eyes (jaundice), it may
signal inflammation or blockage that needs urgent evaluation.

Kidney stones and renal colic (waves of “no thank you”)

Kidney stone pain often comes in waves and can be severe. It may start in the flank (side/back) and move toward
the lower abdomen or groin. People may also notice nausea, restlessness (it can be hard to get comfortable),
blood in urine, or urinary urgency. The “comes and goes” pattern can happen as urine intermittently passes
around the stone.

Peptic ulcers (stomach or duodenal ulcers)

Ulcer pain is often described as burning or gnawing in the upper abdomen and may come and go. Some people feel
it when the stomach is empty or at night; sometimes eating helps briefly, and sometimes eating makes it worse.
Ulcers are commonly associated with H. pylori infection and/or frequent NSAID use (like ibuprofen or
naproxen).

Seek urgent care if there are signs of bleeding (black/tarry stools, vomiting blood) or sudden severe pain.

Appendicitis (usually not “comes and goes” forever)

Appendicitis often starts as vague pain near the belly button or upper abdomen and then becomes sharper and
more localizedclassically moving to the lower right abdomen. It tends to worsen over hours, not improve.
Nausea, loss of appetite, fever, and pain that increases with movement, coughing, or bumps can occur.

If you suspect appendicitis, don’t wait it out. This is the kind of situation where “maybe it’ll pass” is a
risky strategy.

Pancreatitis (upper abdominal pain that can radiate to the back)

Pancreatitis typically causes significant upper abdominal pain that may spread to the back and can feel worse
after eating. Nausea, vomiting, fever, and tenderness may occur. This is a medical condition that needs prompt
evaluation, especially if pain is severe or persistent.

Gynecologic and reproductive causes (informational, not scaryjust important)

For people who ovulate and menstruate, intermittent lower abdominal pain can be cycle-related:

• Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz): one-sided lower abdominal pain around mid-cycle that can last
  minutes to a day or two.
• Ovarian cysts: can cause intermittent pain, pressure, or sudden sharp pain if a cyst ruptures.

If there’s any chance of pregnancy, abdominal/pelvic pain deserves extra caution. Ectopic pregnancy
can cause sudden severe pain (sometimes with shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting) and is an emergency.
If you could be pregnant and have severe pain, heavy bleeding, faintness, or shoulder pain, seek emergency care.

Red Flags: When to Get Medical Help Right Away

A lot of abdominal pain is benign, but some combinations of symptoms should be treated as urgent. Get emergency
care or urgent medical help if you have:

• Sudden, severe abdominal pain that’s intense or worsening
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to the neck/shoulder
• Fainting, severe dizziness, or weakness
• Fever with significant abdominal tenderness
• Persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration
• Blood in stool, black/tarry stools, or vomiting blood
• A rigid, swollen, very tender abdomen
• Yellow skin/eyes (jaundice), especially with upper-right pain
• Severe abdominal/pelvic pain in early pregnancy or with heavy bleeding

If you’re unsure, it’s better to be evaluatedespecially when pain is severe, unexplained, or paired with these
warning signs.

How Clinicians Figure Out the Cause

The questions that matter more than you’d think

In a medical visit, you’ll usually be asked:

• Where is the pain, and does it move?
• How did it start: gradual, sudden, after meals, after activity?
• What’s the pattern: constant, waves, minutes vs. hours?
• Any triggers (fatty foods, stress, dairy, carbonated drinks)?
• Associated symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, urinary symptoms, bleeding)?
• Medications (especially NSAIDs), recent travel, sick contacts, or suspicious meals?
• For those who menstruate: cycle timing and pregnancy possibility

Exams and tests (no, they’re not just being nosy)

A physical exam helps detect guarding, rebound tenderness, or pain patterns that suggest inflammation. Depending
on symptoms, clinicians might order:

• Urine tests (infection, blood, kidney stone clues)
• Pregnancy test when relevant (important for safety)
• Blood tests (infection markers, liver enzymes, pancreas enzymes)
• Imaging such as ultrasound (gallbladder, kidneys, pelvis) or CT (appendix, stones, bowel)

The goal isn’t to “test everything,” but to match the most likely causes to the safest next step.

Safe Self-Care for Mild, Short-Lived Episodes

If pain is mild, short-lived, and there are no red flags, these strategies are often reasonable while you
monitor symptoms (and seek medical advice if things persist or worsen):

• Hydrate, especially if diarrhea or vomiting is present (small, frequent sips can help).
• Go bland for a bit: toast, rice, bananas, applesauce, soupfoods that don’t pick fights with
  your stomach.
• Heat: a warm compress can relax cramping muscles and reduce discomfort.
• Slow down eating: smaller meals, less grease, fewer carbonated drinks can reduce gas-related
  pain.
• Track patterns: what you ate, when pain happened, bowel changes, and where the pain sat.
  This “mini detective log” can make medical visits much more productive.

Important: avoid taking more medication than recommended on labels, and don’t use painkillers to “push through”
severe abdominal pain. If pain is significant or unusual for you, getting evaluated is the safer move.

How to Reduce Repeat Episodes Over Time

• For gas/bloating: identify triggers (some people do well with a food diary and smaller meals).
• For constipation: steady hydration, fiber, movement, and consistent bathroom routines can help.
• For IBS: stress management, sleep, and targeted diet strategies (guided by a clinician) often
  reduce flares.
• For kidney stones: hydration is a big deal; prevention can vary by stone type, so medical
  guidance matters.
• For gallbladder symptoms: fatty meals are common triggersrecurrent attacks should be evaluated.

Experiences: What “Sharp Pain That Comes and Goes” Often Feels Like (About )

People describe intermittent sharp abdominal pain in surprisingly similar wayslike the body has a limited set
of dramatic sound effects. Here are common “experience patterns” clinicians hear about (not diagnoses, just
relatable examples).

The “I thought it was an emergency… it was gas” episode

It starts as a sudden jab that makes you freeze mid-step, like your abdomen just hit the pause button. The pain
might shift from center to one side, then migrate again. You try changing positionsstanding, sitting, curling
up like a human shrimpuntil you finally burp or pass gas and feel the intensity drop from “panic” to “mildly
offended.” People often notice it after eating fast, drinking soda, or having a meal that’s basically a
carb-fest with a side of regret. The biggest clue is how mobile it feels and how much relief can follow a
bathroom visit.

The “spicy dinner, midnight consequences” indigestion pattern

This one loves timing. You eat something rich or spicy, feel okay for a while, thenboomupper abdominal burning
or sharp discomfort arrives like an uninvited guest. It may come in pulses and pair with burping, nausea, or a
sour taste. Some people swear the pain is “in the stomach,” but it can sit higher, blurring the line between
belly and chest. Often, smaller meals, avoiding late-night heavy food, and getting evaluated if it’s frequent
makes a real differenceespecially because ongoing symptoms can overlap with ulcers or gallbladder issues.

The “IBS flare during a stressful week” story

Many people notice a connection between stress and a gut that suddenly acts like it’s being paid per cramp.
The pain can come and go throughout the day, sometimes easing after a bowel movement, then returning when the
intestines start another round of “interpretive dance.” Bloating may add pressure, and the bathroom schedule
may swing between constipation and diarrhea. A common theme is unpredictability: symptoms feel real, disruptive,
and frustratingyet tests may come back normal. That’s often when a structured plan (diet changes guided by a
clinician, sleep, stress tools) becomes the difference between “random suffering” and “manageable patterns.”

The “waves of pain that won’t let you get comfortable” kidney stone vibe

People frequently describe stone pain as coming in intense surges. It might hit the side/back, then creep toward
the lower abdomen or groin, easing briefly before returning with another wave. During the peaks, pacing feels
more natural than lying stillbecause stillness doesn’t help. Nausea can show up, and some people notice urinary
urgency or blood in the urine. The on-and-off pattern can be misleading, because a break in pain doesn’t always
mean the problem is gone. This is one of those times when “severe and recurring” is enough reason to get checked.

The “mid-cycle one-sided pain” ovulation example

Some people feel a sharp, one-sided lower abdominal twinge around the middle of the menstrual cycle. It may last
minutesor hang around for hoursthen disappear like it never happened. Because it’s one-sided and sudden, it
can be alarming the first time. Many describe it as a localized pinch or cramp that appears without warning.
The reassuring pattern is its timing and short duration, but anything severe, persistent, or paired with heavy
bleeding, fever, faintness, or pregnancy possibility needs prompt evaluation.

Conclusion

Sharp stomach pain that comes and goes is commonand it ranges from totally benign (gas, constipation,
indigestion) to conditions that shouldn’t be ignored (kidney stones, gallbladder attacks, ulcers, appendicitis,
pancreatitis, or pregnancy-related emergencies). The best “next step” usually depends on the pattern: location,
timing, triggers, and accompanying symptoms.

If the pain is mild and brief, tracking triggers and symptoms can be surprisingly powerful. If pain is severe,
recurrent, worsening, or paired with red flags like fever, fainting, blood, persistent vomiting, jaundice, or
pregnancy concerns, get medical care promptly. When your abdomen starts sending urgent messages, you don’t have
to decode them alone.