Abdominal pain that lingers, that keeps coming back, that wakes you up at night always calls for medical attention. Why ? Because it can point to a wide range of causes, from the most harmless to the most serious. A specialist’s opinion helps identify the origin quickly and guides you towards the right care.
At Kensington Clinic in London, a team of four consultant gastroenterologists is on hand to see you for symptoms. Our doctors also practise at leading London hospitals and provide rapid access to further investigations when needed.
Consultations are available in English, French and Arabic, depending on the practitioner, both in-person and remotely, with appointments usually offered within a few days.
Our doctors specialising in
abdominal pain
in London
Care at our clinic is delivered by a team of four consultant gastroenterologists with complementary areas of expertise. Booking an abdominal pain doctor in London at Kensington Clinic gives you access to this full range of expertise in a single location.
Dr Akeel Alisa
Senior hepato-gastroenterologist, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP London) and founder of LGCL. Consultations in English and Arabic.
Dr David Simon
French gastroenterologist in London, trained at Saint-Antoine Hospital in Paris and at the Sorbonne, specialist in hepato-pancreato-biliary endoscopy. Consultations in French and English.
Dr Noriko Suzuki
Therapeutic endoscopy consultant at St Mark’s Hospital since 1998, expert in endoscopic submucosal dissection. Consultations in English.
Dr Owen Woghiren
Consultant in inflammatory bowel disease and clinical nutrition at the Royal Free. Consultations in English.
What is abdominal pain ?
Abdominal pain refers to any painful sensation felt between the lower ribs and the pubic bone. It is characterised by several medical criteria :
- Duration, acute (from a few hours to a few days) or chronic (several weeks) ;
- Location, diffuse or concentrated in a specific area ;
- Rhythm, continuous or intermittent ;
- Nature, from cramps to burning sensations, pulling or shooting pains.
The abdomen houses a wide range of organs : stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, reproductive system. This anatomical density explains the wide variety of possible causes and justifies a thorough medical assessment.
The most common causes of abdominal pain
The condition, sometimes referred to as “stomach pain” in everyday language, covers a wide spectrum of possible causes. These affect different body systems, whether digestive, biliary, hepatic, pancreatic, urinary, gynaecological or musculoskeletal.
Below are the main categories, grouped by origin.
ORIGINS | EXAMPLES OF CAUSES |
Functional digestive disorders | Functional abdominal pain ; gastro-oesophageal reflux ; irritable bowel syndrome ; SIBO |
Inflammatory and infectious conditions | Gastritis ; gastroenteritis ; IBD (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) |
Food-related and metabolic causes | Coeliac disease ; food intolerances (gluten, lactose, fructose) |
Hepato-pancreato-biliary conditions | Gallstones ; hepatitis ; pancreatitis |
Gynaecological causes (in women) | Cycle-related pain ; endometriosis ; ovarian cysts |
Mechanical or surgical causes | Appendicitis ; bowel obstruction ; hernias |
These causes do not all carry the same urgency. Some resolve on their own, while others require prompt medical care.
Symptoms associated with abdominal pain, and what they may mean
The complaints rarely appears on its own. It is often accompanied by other symptoms that help guide the diagnosis. Below are the most common combinations.
ABDOMINAL PAINS ASSOCIATED WITH… | COMMONLY SUSPECTED CAUSES |
Bloating | Food intolerances ; irritable bowel syndrome ; SIBO |
Constipation | Colonic conditions ; constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome |
Left-sided pain | Left-sided colonic conditions ; sigmoid diverticulosis |
Night-time pain | Gastro-oesophageal reflux ; inflammatory conditions ; ulcer |
Nausea or vomiting | Biliary conditions ; gastritis ; gastro-oesophageal reflux |
This list is indicative. Only a medical consultation can reliably link these symptoms to an underlying condition.
Abdominal pain red flags :when to seek care without delay
Some presentations require immediate medical attention. Clinicians refer to “red flags” to describe these warning signs that should not be overlooked :
- Sudden and intense pain, particularly if it worsens quickly ;
- Pain accompanied by a high fever ;
- Pain radiating to the back or to the right shoulder ;
- Pain that wakes you at night and prevents sleep ;
- Jaundice (yellow discolouration of the skin or eyes) ;
- Unintended weight loss ;
- Blood in stools or vomit ;
- A hard, tender abdomen that resists palpation.
In these situations, contact a doctor promptly or go directly to the nearest hospital. At Kensington Clinic in London, our abdominal pain doctors can also see you on an urgent basis, subject to availability.
Seeing an abdominal pain doctor in London
Consulting a doctor practising in London for abdominal pain means benefiting from a structured clinical assessment. At Kensington Clinic, this pathway unfolds in four successive stages.
your doctor takes a detailed history of the pain (when it started, how it presents, its pattern, any triggers). They review your medical background, current medication and lifestyle factors.
abdominal palpation, percussion and auscultation. A targeted examination (proctological, cardio-pulmonary or gynaecological) may be added depending on the clinical context.
based on the suspected diagnosis, your doctor may order blood tests, breath tests, abdominal imaging or endoscopy. These investigations can be carried out on site or through our partnership with LGCL.
at the end of the consultation, you leave with a diagnosis or precise working hypotheses. A treatment plan and a follow-up appointment are offered where appropriate.
Each stage can be adapted according to your medical profile, your history, and the decisions discussed in consultation. This personalisation of the protocol is precisely what makes the difference in outcomes!
Consultation fees for abdominal pain
The cost of a consultation for abdominal pain in London varies depending on the practitioner and the format chosen. Below is an indicative range applicable to our team.
CONSULTATION TYPES | DURATIONS | FEES |
Initial consultation (in-clinic) | 20 to 30 min | from £200 |
Follow-up consultation | 20 to 30 min | from £180 |
Video consultation | 20 min | from £140 |
Extended consultation | 45 to 60 min | £450 |
A £70 deposit is requested at the time of booking. The balance is settled on the day of the consultation.
Kensington Clinic is recognised by most major private health insurers and expatriate schemes, including Aviva, Axa, Bupa UK, Bupa International, Cigna, Healix, WPA and Vitality.
FAQ
What is the difference between abdominal pain and stomach pain ?
The difference lies in the area involved and the organs concerned.
- Stomach pain refers to discomfort located in the epigastric region, just below the sternum ;
- Abdominal pain, broader in scope, covers any painful sensation felt between the ribs and the pubic bone ;
- Stomach pain is always a form of abdominal pain, but the reverse is not true ;
- Abdominal pain may come from the intestine, the liver or the gallbladder, without any gastric involvement.
This distinction matters when it comes to guiding the diagnosis.
Can stress cause abdominal pain ?
Yes, chronic stress is among the recognised causes of functional abdominal pain. The gut-brain axis is particularly sensitive to emotions and sustained pressure, which can manifest as:
- Bloating and a sensation of a swollen abdomen ;
- Diffuse abdominal cramps ;
- An irregular bowel pattern, with alternating diarrhoea and constipation ;
- Pain with no identifiable organic cause.
Even when the origin is functional, a medical opinion remains valuable. It helps rule out an organic cause, confirm the diagnosis and put in place an appropriate care plan.
Can I book an appointment directly without going through my GP ?
Yes, as a private clinic, Kensington Clinic is accessible without a GP referral letter. You can book directly with one of our consultants.
This option is particularly suited to several patient profiles :
- Patients looking to avoid NHS waiting times ;
- International patients passing through London ;
- Patients seeking a specialist second opinion.
Depending on your situation, our doctors may then refer you to an external specialist or recommend follow-up with your GP for continuity of care.
