To learn more go to http://www.CaptainColon.com or http://www.VolcanoHealing.com You've had abdominal pain for several hours, and there doesn't seem to be any relief in sight. Should you wait it out or seek help right away? Abdominal pain is common. Episodes often stem from overeating or eating too much of a certain type of food. Sometimes a viral or bacterial infection (gastroenteritis) is responsible. In other cases, the pain may be an early warning sign of something more serious. But, you can't always judge the severity of its cause by how much pain you feel. Cramping from a viral infection or simple gas can cause severe pain, while potentially life-threatening problems, such as colon cancer or appendicitis, may cause little or no pain initially.Where does it hurt? The number of organs in your abdomen and the complex signals they send can make it tough to pinpoint the cause of abdominal pain. Sometimes, the location of your pain can help narrow the list. But, it's very difficult to know the cause of the abdominal pain solely by its location, even for an experienced doctor.Navel area Pain near your bellybutton can be related to a small intestine disorder or an inflammation of your appendix (appendicitis).The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch that projects out from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. If it gets obstructed, it may become inflamed and filled with pus. Without treatment, an infected appendix can burst and cause a serious infection (peritonitis). In addition to abdominal pain, appendicitis may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and the urge to pass gas or have a bowel movement.Upper middle abdomen--The epigastric area — directly above the navel in the upper middle section of the abdomen — is where you might feel pain associated with stomach disorders. Persistent pain in this area may also signal a problem with your pancreas or gallbladder.Upper left abdomen--It's uncommon to experience pain here. When you do, i...