Abdominal pain is a common symptom that affects millions of people. But it can be a sign of a serious medical problem that needs to be treated. When you visit your doctor, they’ll ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. This helps them find the cause of your pain. Inflammation Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection that can help heal the body. However, chronic inflammation can cause serious health problems. The human immune system is a complex network of cells that produce hundreds of types of molecules called cytokines to fight off infections and clear toxic substances from the body. When the immune system overreacts to a simple injury or a disease, it can lead to inflammation, which can result in pain, swelling, stiffness and other symptoms. Acute inflammation, which occurs after an injury or infection, usually lasts a few days to weeks. It can also be life-threatening. Symptoms of acute inflammation include pain, swelling, redness and heat. The