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Often, it is due to digestive issues, but sometimes there is a more severe underlying issue. Here, learn about some common causes of nighttime abdominal pain and how to manage or treat it. Common causes Share on Pinteresthappyphoton/Getty ImagesDigestive problems are considered the most common cause of abdominal pain at night. Eating close to bedtime means digestion is more likely to occur while lying down, making it easier for stomach acid to travel back up the digestive tract. Sleeping difficulties and sleep disorders can make conditions like ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) more likely or worse. Lying down can also increase pressure on some muscular, joint, or bone injuries, making pain and discomfort more intense. Here are some common causes of nighttime abdominal pain: Gas Gas in the digestive tract is a common cause of abdominal pain. It can lead to distention, bloating, and discomfort. It leaves the body through belching or passing gas. Gas usually enters the body when people swallow gas, for example, when smoking, chewing gum, eating quickly, or consuming fizzy drinks. Certain bacteria in the gut also produce gas when they break down carbohydrates. Sometimes, it results from a medical condition, such as IBD or food sensitivity. What can I do about flatulence? Acid reflux Acid reflux is when stomach acids travel up into the food pipe. It can cause a burning sensation, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, sore throat, and a cough. Various factors may increase the risk of acid reflux, such as:high alcohol consumptionovereating, especially close to bedtimelying down too soon after eatingbeing overweighthigh-fat, spicy, and fried foods, along with chocolate and coffee What are some home remedies for heartburn and acid reflux? Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common cause. Conditions that inflame the food pipe cause heartburn, nausea, and indigestion. Symptoms often intensify when lying down. Which diet is good for people with GERD? Gastritis Gastritis is when the stomach walls become irritated and inflamed. This can lead to a sense of pain or burning, as well as nausea, vomiting, and gas. Untreated cases can lead to ulcers, bleeding, and cancer. What should you eat and avoid with gastritis? Stomach and intestinal or peptic ulcers Stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers can cause a burning sensation in the stomach region. Pain can worsen after eating as well as when the stomach is empty. Nighttime is often the longest stretch of the day between meals. Causes include:H. pylori bacteriaoveruse or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)tumors, in rare cases Learn more about peptic ulcers Gallstones The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver that releases bile. Secretions can build up and form hardened lumps called gallstones. Gallstones can range in size from a speck of sand to a golf ball. Pain occurs when gallstones cause a blockage in the duct system of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. Fatty or rich meals can worsen gallstone symptoms since bile helps the body digest fat. Some individuals with gallstones have no symptoms and do not need medical help. People with recurring gallbladder pain or inflammation may need surgery to remove the gallbladder. As well as pain, gallstones can also cause the following complications:nausea or vomitingfeveryellowing of the skin and eyesunexplained exhaustionlight-colored stool What can people eat for a healthy gallbladder? Irritable bowel syndrome Some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience nighttime abdominal pain. Symptoms include abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. Having a large evening meal may worsen nighttime abdominal pain in individuals with IBS. Around 5–10% of people have IBS, and most are under 50. What should you eat with IBS? Celiac disease An allergy to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt, causes inflammation of the small intestine, often with cramping and abdominal pain. Genetic factors probably underlie the allergy. Symptoms typically relate to the digestive system and include diarrhea, tiredness, and bloating. However, some people have no symptoms. Without diagnosis or treatment, complications can arise. They include dental problems, delayed puberty, mood changes, and reduced growth due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Around 1 in 100 people globally have celiac disease, but around 30% do not have a diagnosis. What is a gluten-free diet? Crohn s disease Crohn s disease is a type of IBD. It is an inflammation of the digestive tract lining that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia, and fatigue, among other symptoms. Experts do not know why it develops, but it may be due to an autoimmune reaction or genetic factors. Smoking may also increase the risk. Which foods should people avoid during a Crohn’s flare-up? Menstrual cramps Cramping, bloating, gas, and discomfort are common during menstruation as the uterine lining sheds. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may affect the back and legs. There may also be nausea, vomiting, headaches, and other symptoms. What is the best way to manage menstrual cramps? Endometriosis With endometriosis, tissue similar to endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. This can cause severe or persistent pain, bleeding and spotting, and digestive problems. It can make it harder to become pregnant. Endometriosis may affect over 11% of females aged 15–44 in the United States. Can home remedies help with endometriosis? Food intolerances Individuals with a food intolerance have a sensitivity to certain foods and cannot properly digest or process them. They may experience pain, bloating, diarrhea, and gas. Symptoms usually start soon after eating the food but may appear up to 48 hours later. Lactose intolerance is a common food intolerance that causes severe abdominal cramping and pain. Constipation Constipation makes it difficult to pass stool. As a result, waste products build up in the colon, leading to distention, pain, and pressure throughout the abdomen. Stools will be hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Constipation can happen for many reasons, including dietary factors, certain medications, or an underlying health condition. Which foods can help relieve constipation? When to see a doctor Often, nighttime abdominal pain is not a reason for immediate concern. Severe or persistent symptoms, however, need medical attention. People also should seek medical advice if they have additional symptoms, such as:severe or ongoing pain that does not lessen with over-the-counter medicationsfeverdifficulty breathingunexplained weight lossabdominal swelling or inflammationabdomen that is painful to touchyellowing of the skin and eyesongoing nausea or vomiting, especially if vomiting bloodblood in the stoolpain that occurs during pregnancyjoint and muscle aches Sometimes, sudden severe pain can indicate a more serious condition, such as appendicitis. Appendicitis can cause pain that begins around the belly button and travels downward into the lower right side. It then usually worsens with the slightest activity or movement. Other conditions that involve severe abdominal pain and need medical attention include:Kidney stones. Sharp, stabbing pain that begins in the mid back and spreads to the abdomen can indicate kidney stones. There is often blood in the urine.Food poisoning. Food poisoning can cause intense and sudden vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and fever or chills. A person should see a doctor if they have a high fever, vomiting or diarrhea that is severe or contains blood, dehydration, or diarrhea lasting longer than 3 days.Cardiac events or conditions. A person should seek urgent medical help if abdominal pain occurs with changes in heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tingling in the arms or chest, or pain in the jaw and neck. It may be a sign of a heart attack.Hiatal hernia. Occurs when a part of the stomach passes into the chest cavity. Lying flat can increase reflux symptoms that commonly occur with a hiatal hernia.Cancer. Stomach cancer and other cancers in the abdominal area can cause various abdominal or digestive symptoms that may be severe, persistent, or both. In the case of any of these conditions, medical evaluation is important to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment and home remedies The table shows some treatments and home remedies for conditions that cause abdominal pain at night.ConditionTreatment optionsHome remediesgasmedications to reduce gas or address an underlying health conditionavoiding swallowing air, for example, by eating slowly; eating smaller meals more often; avoiding foods that cause gasGERD, acid reflux, indigestion, heartburn H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), surgery, endoscopymaintaining moderate weight; sleeping with head raised; avoiding smoking; making dietary changesgastritisdepending on the cause: PPIs, antibiotics to treat H. pylori, and othersavoid high alcohol intake, check for allergies, follow doctor’s advice when using iron supplementsstomach and intestinal ulcersPPIs; antibiotics to treat H. pyloriavoiding or stopping NSAIDs; avoiding alcoholgallstonessurgery to remove the gallbladdermaintaining moderate weight; avoiding rapid weight lossIBSmedication for diarrhea, constipation, and pain; probiotics; mental health therapieseating more fiber, avoiding gluten, following a low FODMAP diet, exercising, managing stress, getting enough sleepceliac diseaseavoid glutenavoiding all products containing glutenCrohn s diseasemedication to manage symptoms, bowel rest for severe symptoms, surgery in some casesavoiding fizzy drinks and high fiber foods, staying hydrated, eating small meals more oftenmenstrual cramps NSAIDs for pain relief, birth control pillsapplying heat; doing exercise, such as yogaendometriosisNSAIDs for pain relief; hormonal treatments; surgeryherbal teas (such as licorice or cinnamon) and supplements may helpfood intoleranceavoid products containing the substance, such as lactose checking labels to avoid foods containing the substance; using alternatives, such as oat milk for people with a lactose intoleranceconstipationlaxatives or stool softeners; changing existing medications; surgery, in some casesdietary fiber, water, and exercise may help Prevention Tips for preventing and managing nighttime abdominal pain will depend on the cause. They include:avoiding eating close to bedtimeraising the head of the bed while sleepingavoiding rich or fatty foods, coffee, or chocolate at nightavoiding or limiting alcohol consumptionavoiding overeatingusing over-the-counter medicationsasking a doctor about symptoms that could indicate an underlying condition Frequently asked questions Here are some answers to questions people often ask about abdominal pain at night. What causes abdominal pain at night Pain that is worse at night is often due to digestive issues, such as gas. Sometimes, however, there may be a more severe underlying cause, such as IBS or IBD. What can I do about abdominal pain at night The first step is to try eating smaller meals and avoiding eating close to bedtime. If dietary changes do not help or symptoms are severe or persistent, a person should seek medical advice. Summary There are many possible causes of abdominal pain at night, ranging from gas from eating too fast to more serious conditions that may need surgery. Tips that may help include eating smaller meals more often, avoiding eating too near bedtime, and eating more slowly. Anyone with concerns about symptoms should seek medical advice. A doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or do tests to identify an underlying cause. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2022Irritable Bowel SyndromeAcid Reflux / GERDGastroIntestinal / GastroenterologyNutrition / Diet 22 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Abdominal pain [Fact sheet]. (n.d.).http://s3.gi.org/patients/cgp/pdf/abdomi.pdfCaulfield, S. P., et al. (2021). Peptic ulcer disease.http://patients.gi.org/topics/peptic-ulcer-disease/Celiac disease. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-diseaseConstipation. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipationCrohn's disease. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-diseaseEndometriosis. (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosisFacts about IBS. (n.d.).http://www.aboutibs.org/what-is-ibs/facts-about-ibs-2.htmlFacts and statistics. (n.d.).https://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-statsFashner, J., et al. (2015). Diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection.http://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0215/p236.htmlFood allergy vs. intolerance: Know the difference. (n.d.).https://badgut.org/information-centre/health-nutrition/food-allergy-vs-intolerance/Food poisoning symptoms. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.htmlGallstones. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstonesGas in the digestive tract. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tractGastritis and gastropathy. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastritisIrritable bowel syndrome. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndromePeptic ulcers (stomach ulcers). (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcersPeriod pain: Overview. (2019).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279324/Sports hernia (athletic pubalgia). (2022).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sports-hernia-athletic-pubalgia/Treatment for GER and GERD. (2020).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/treatmentWhat is celiac disease? (n.d.).https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/what-is-celiac-disease/What is Crohn's disease? (n.d.).http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-crohns-disease/Wilkins, T., et al. (2012). Irritable bowel syndrome: Questions and answers for effective care.https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0615/p727.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — By Jennifer Huizen — Updated on September 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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