What causes abdominal pain? Are there different kinds of abdominal pain? In this article, you’ll find the answers about abdominal pain, including causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain can be felt anywhere between your chest and groin. Pain can range in intensity from a mild stomach ache to severe acute pain.
What causes abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain can have many causes including:
Constipation
Gas
Stomach “flu”
Indigestion
Ulcer
Gallstones
Menstrual Cramps
Acid reflux disease
Kidney Stones
Hernia
Urinary tract infection
Endometriosis
Crohn’s disease
Type and Location of Abdominal Pain
The type and location of the pain helps the doctor make a diagnosis. Here are a few general characteristics of abdominal pain:
Abdominal pain can be sharp, dull, piercing, stabbing, cramp-like, or twisting.
Abdominal pain can last a few minutes, several hours, or days. The pain can come on strongly for awhile, and then lessen in intensity.
Abdominal pain can make the patient want to stay still in one place, or restlessly pace the floor.
Lower Abdominal Pain
Bloating or swelling of the lower abdomen may be present in many intestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Pain near the belly button may indicate appendicitis which can spread to the lower right abdomen. Hernia and ectopic pregnancy can also cause pain in the right lower region.
Women may feel pain originating from the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. This pain usually settles in the lower abdomen.
Pain in the lower left abdomen can indicate inflammatory bowel disease or an infection in the colon. (diverticulitus).
Upper Abdominal Pain
Pain is not usually present in the upper left abdomen, but may indicate a stomach, colon, spleen, or pancreas problem.
An inflamed gallbladder can cause intense pain in the upper right abdomen. The pain can extend to the center of the abdomen, and end up penetrating the back.
The upper middle abdomen is where stomach disorders, such as gastroenteritis, or stomach “flu” originate. If pain persists, there may be problems with the pancreas or gallbladder.
Chronic functional abdominal pain is the presence of ongoing abdominal pain without medical explanation.
How is abdominal pain treated?
Laboratory tests such as a CBC (Complete blood count), liver and pancreatic enzymes and urinalysis are frequently performed to check for infection or gall stone attacks.
Plain x-rays can reveal an intestinal obstruction, while an ultrasound is useful in diagnosing appendicitis and ovarian cysts.
A laparoscopic examination or surgery may be required to fully examine the abdominal cavity.
In 2004, Zelnorm was approved to treat chronic constipation in men and women under the age of 65, and in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. In 2007, the FDA pulled the drug due to new evidence that Zelnorm may cause heart attacks, strokes, and serious chest pain. Zelnorm has been known to increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal complications such as severe diarrhea and ischemic colitis.
Dietary fiber, laxatives, anti-spasmodic agents, and anti-diarrheals help control lower bowel symptoms.
Anti-depressants help relieve stress and reduce pain.
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