Feeling a lump anywhere in the abdomen from the bottom of the rib cage to the groin can signal a health concern. Lumps in this area develop for many reasons. Common causes are:
* growths within or just below the skin (cysts) ,
* organ or tissue that bulges out from a weak section of muscle (hernia) ,
* swollen intestine (such as crohn's disease) ,
* ballooning of a section of a wall of an artery (aneurysm) ,
* infections (abscess, swollen lymph glands, or chronic appendicitis) ,
* growths caused by cancer,
* constipated colon, or
* a very full bladder.

Associated symptoms may include pain, prolonged constipation, black or tarry stools, or bright red bleeding with stools, or bloating. Be sure to seek medical evaluation for any unusual lumps you may find. Treatment for harmful lumps is more likely to be successful when they are checked early.

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