Most of us experience run-of-the-mill abdominal pain when walking or standing symptoms from time to time.While these usually don’t warrant a trip to the doctor, one symptom that does require immediate action is severe abdominal pain.
That kind of pain is often is a sign of a serious abdominal health problem such as appendicitis, gallbladder disease, stomach or bowel disorders, or pancreatitis. Other important internal organs located in abdominal cavity include liver, gallbladder, bile duct and pancreas. If any particular part of these organs is damaged or impaired, warning signs and symptoms will be manifested accordingly.
The most common symptom that indicates the presence of abdominal abnormalities is “abdominal pain” which can be described in different types such as cramp, ache, dull pain, intermittent pain and sharp pain. There are some serious conditions that cause abdominal pain which should not be ignored. Always seek medical care if your abdominal pain is unexplained, persistent or severe. They may further require medical attention and even emergency medical care in some critical cases.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is discomfort anywhere in your belly region — between your ribs and your pelvis. We often think of abdominal pain as “stomach pain” or a “stomachache,” but pain in your abdomen could be coming from other organs besides your stomach, too.
Your abdomen is home to your:
- Stomach.
- Liver.
- Gallbladder.
- Pancreas.
- Small intestine.
- Large intestine.
- uterus
- kidney
- bladder
These are all organs in your digestive system. But pain can also be in your abdominal wall, the skin and muscles that make up the outer shell of your abdomen. And sometimes, the pain that you feel in your belly may be coming from somewhere else, like your chest, pelvis or back.
Abdominal pain can take many forms and can mean many things.
It may feel:
- Burning or achy.
- Crampy or colicky.
- Constant or intermittent.
- Localized (in one spot) or generalized (all over).
- Mild or severe.
- Dull or sharp.
Ultimately, abdominal pain is a subjective symptom that only you can describe. Since your healthcare provider can’t measure it, it’s what you say it is. Your healthcare provider will always take your abdominal pain seriously.
In some, abdominal discomfort is caused by digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or gastroenteritis and occurs in conjunction with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. This is why some individuals refer to abdominal discomfort in general as stomach ache’ or ‘tummy ache.’
In others, abdominal discomfort originates from the muscles of the abdomen, back, or joints. In these individuals, abdominal pain is usually described as a dull ache or achy feeling which can radiate to other parts of the body, especially on movement.
However, your abdomen includes more than your stomach. The liver, appendix, pancreas, and intestines are all located between the chest and pelvis. Abdominal discomfort may be caused by conditions affecting any of these organs.
Since your abdomen is home to many organs, your healthcare provider may want to narrow down the kind of pain you’re having by narrowing down the region you’re feeling it in. Healthcare providers often divide the abdomen into quadrants, or four parts. They may ask if your pain is in the:
- Right upper quadrant.
- Left upper quadrant.
- Right lower quadrant.
- Left lower quadrant.
Common Causes Of Right Upper Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Pain (Right upper abdominal Pain) – Symptoms, Signs and Causes via youtube
1. Gallstones Or Cholelithiasis
Gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen, located beneath the liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called “bile” which is a yellowish-brown fluid used to break up and digest fatty foods in the small intestine. Gallstones are one of the most common digestive diseases in which small stones are formed in the gallbladder. These stones are typically caused by the precipitation of either calcium salts or cholesterol in bile. Particular risk factors include being overweight, a regular consumption of high-fat diets, hypercholesterolemia (high level of blood cholesterol), taking medications that contain estrogen such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, being diabetic or being diagnosed with thalassemia.
Not everyone who has gallstones will have symptoms, but for those who do, the most frequent symptom is discomfort. It often begins in the upper right abdomen and spreads to the point of the right shoulder blade. The pain is most often described as a dull ache but can sometimes be so bad that it forces the patient to seek help. In some cases, the pain may be a symptom of a more serious condition related to gallstones.
Aggravated symptoms include severe and sudden pain in the upper right abdomen especially when breathing in and out, back pain between shoulder blades, high fever, nausea, vomiting and jaundice with yellow tinge to the skin and white eyes. If biliary tract infection is indicated, an immediate surgery must be urgently performed. If cholecystitis remains untreated, it might lead to life-threatening sepsis.
The most effective way to reduce risk of “gallstones” is to remain healthy including weight reduction if obese, avoiding the consumption of fatty diets with high calories, and taking high-fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits. More importantly, having a regular health checkup every year helps to early screen gallstones before its symptom raises. If any suspected signs and symptoms of gallstones are manifested, a full physical examination and upper abdominal ultrasound scan are immediately recommended.
2. Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Major causes of hepatitis are viral infections including hepatitis virus A, B and C. Other risk factors include alcohol drinking, side effects of certain drugs, auto-immune diseases and ingestion of toxic substances. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or, unfortunately, liver cancer.
Most commonly found symptoms are pain or discomfort in the upper right quadrant of the stomach and high fever presented with jaundice (a yellowish pigmentation of the skin and whites of the eyes). Diagnosis of hepatitis is made on the basis of a patient’s signs and symptoms, medical history, blood tests to determine liver enzyme level and functions combined with radiological imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound, CT scan (computerized tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
3. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas which causes sudden and severe abdominal pain. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that locates behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. Its main function is to produce digestive enzymes that help digestion and some hormones that regulate body sugar level.
Conditions that can lead to pancreatitis include gallstones, alcoholism and infections. Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms are sudden upper abdominal pain that might radiate to the back, nausea and vomiting with abdominal tenderness when touching the abdomen. Severity of abdominal pain could be substantially reduced when slouching, mostly in patients who have been long-term alcoholics.
Tests and procedures used to accurately diagnose pancreatitis include blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound and CT scan (computerized tomography). MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) might be further needed in some cases.
Common Causes Of Left Upper Abdominal Pain
Upper Left Stomach Pain, Upper Left Abdominal Pain, upper left quadrant pain via youtube
1. Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. They are quite common, with up to 60% of individuals developing stomach ulcers during their lifetime.
Based on the affected area, there are 2 types: gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Stomach ulcers are sores that are present in the lining of the stomach. while that in the first part of the intestines is a duodenal ulcer.
Peptic ulcer disease has been commonly found in both male and females with all age groups including children. However, gastric ulcers tend to occur in the elderly, after age 60 while duodenal ulcers usually appear in younger age.
Potential risk factors to develop peptic ulcers are long-term use of anticoagulant drugs, aspirin, painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), irregular meal timing, consumption of spicy foods, caffeine intake, untreated stress and bacterial infection in the stomach mainly caused by Helicobacter pylori.
Stomach ulcers commonly occur as a result of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). This is a bacteria that is able to survive and thrive in the acidic environment of the stomach.
The most common symptom of a gastric ulcer is pain in the center of the stomach, below the ribs. Other related symptoms are bloating, flatulence, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. Abdominal pain usually happens either before or after meals for gastric ulcers and it will be substantially relieved after eating.
Unlike gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer has been frequently found in working age. The most common symptom is “epigastric pain” which is characterized by a burning sensation especially before meals. After eating, pain will be alleviated.
Aside from taking medical history and physical examination, diagnostic test “endoscopy” is used as a confirmatory diagnosis of peptic ulcers.
Risk to develop peptic ulcers might be reduced if lifestyle is accordingly modified such as having a regular meal timing, avoiding spicy food consumption, taking easy-to-digest diets, avoiding drinking caffeine containing beverages e.g. tea and coffee, alcohol restriction, smoke cessation and appropriate stress management.
2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter which is the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. If this sphincter weakens or relaxes irregularly, stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus. The backwash of acid constantly irritates the lining of the esophagus, consequently often causing inflammation.
Common signs and symptoms of GERD include a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), belching, epigastric pain at the upper abdomen which often shifts to the middle of the chest, chronic cough, frequent hiccup or sore throat.
Conditions that can increase risk of GERD are obesity or overweight, smoking, frequent consumption of tea, coffee, chocolates or chewing gums which might trigger reflux.
During the course of peptic ulcer treatment, all prescribed medicines must be taken regularly and completely. Lifestyle modification and home remedies include:
Avoid all risk factors such as chocolate, peppermint, chewing gums, fatty meal e.g. steak or fried food, caffeine drinks and alcohol.
Elevate the head of your bed or sleep on your left if heartburn is often experienced.
To allow sufficient stomach empty time after eating, it requires at least three hours before going to bed. Lying down immediately after a meal must be avoided.
If the symptoms are still persistent after the completion of the oral medication course, other conditions such as hernia at diaphragm (hiatal hernia) might be suspected.
3. Spleen problems
The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs.
It’s an important part of your immune system, but you can survive without it. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen’s functions.
The liver can take over many of the spleen’s functions.
If the spleen does not work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells.
This can lead to:anemia, from a reduced number of red blood cells
an increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white blood cells
bleeding or bruising, caused by a reduced number of platelets
Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area.
This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.
The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis, leukemia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. A blood test, CT scan or MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis.
The spleen is not usually removed if it’s just enlarged. Instead, you’ll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored. You may be prescribed antibiotics if there’s an infection.
You’ll need to avoid contact sports for a while, as you’ll be at greater risk of rupturing the spleen while it’s enlarged.
Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or the cause cannot be found.
Common Causes Of Right Lower Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Pain Right Side – Common Causes of Pain in the Lower Right Abdomen via youtube
1. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix which is a finger-shaped pouch that projects from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. The appendix doesn’t seem to have a specific function. Major cause of appendicitis is a blockage in the lining of the appendix, resulting in infections. Subsequently, pathogenic bacteria multiply rapidly and cause the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus. If it is not treated promptly, appendicitis can cause serious complications such as a pocket of infection (abscess) and a ruptured appendix which spreads infection throughout the abdomen (peritonitis).
Since symptoms of appendicitis are frequently similar to other ailments such as peptic ulcer and gastritis, history taking and physical examination play a major role to make differential diagnosis. Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, sudden pain that begins around the umbilicus and often radiates to the lower right abdomen, pain that worsens while walking or making jarring movements with low-grade fever as the illness progresses. The site of pain may vary depending on the position of the appendix.
If appendicitis is left untreated, appendix ruptures might lead to fatal conditions. Surgical removal of appendix (appendectomy) must be immediately performed. If appendicitis is suspected particularly with abdominal pain that shifts to the lower right abdomen, immediate medical care is highly advised.
2. Trapped wind
The body creates gas; it is a normal consequence of digestion. However, some individuals create more gas than others.
Occasionally, this extra gas might get trapped and cause stomach discomfort. If you have trapped wind, you may also have the following symptoms:
- often farting or burping
- feeling uncomfortably stuffed after a meal
- stomach rumbling or gurgling sounds
- stomach or belly that is inflated
- abdominal cramps
- nause
That kind of pain is often a sign of Lactose Intolerance: Discomfort after consuming milk products due to a deficit in the enzyme that digests lactose, the sugar found in dairy products.
you feel like: Nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and/or diarrhea 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose.
Fix it: Drink less milk, or have it with other foods to slow the digestion process. Try experimenting with an assortment of dairy products. Hard cheeses such as Swiss or cheddar have small amounts of lactose and generally don’t cause symptoms. Important note for the lactose intolerant: because dairy products are some of the most common sources of calcium, make sure you’re getting enough of that essential mineral elsewhere in your diet.
3. Kidney stones and kidney infections
Kidney stones or inflammation of the kidneys may produce severe discomfort on either the left or right side of the abdomen. Your kidneys are placed on each side of your spine, right below your ribcage, and they are responsible for removing waste and excess fluids from your body.
While we don’t know what causes stones to form, we do know that some stones form more easily than others. Dehydration and not consuming enough fluids can contribute to stone formation, as there may not be enough urine to wash out microscopic crystals.
Although several substances can form stones, the four most common are made of:
- Calcium – common and can recur
- Cysteine – an amino acid
- Struvite – develop as a result of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Uric acid – a crystalline compound
Some people don’t feel kidney stones until they move and try to exit the kidney. Some symptoms include:
- Sharp, severe, cramping pain in the abdomen or side of the back
- Pain can move to the groin or testicular area
- Blood in the urine
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Because of the intense pain often caused by kidney stones, many people need pain relief. Many describe it as the worst pain they’ve ever felt.
If you have a kidney stone, you will be encouraged to drink a lot of water if you don’t have a medical condition that limits the amount you may have. The extra fluid is to help wash the stone through your urinary system.
If the stone doesn’t pass within a reasonable amount of time, your doctor may recommend extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Shock waves are sent through to the stone to break them down into smaller pieces that can be passed. Sometimes, surgery may be needed.
The stone should be removed because of the high risk of infection, which could – in turn – lead to sepsis.
While not all kidney stones can be prevented, there are ways to lower your risk of developing one or developing another one. The first and foremost way would be to drink enough fluids to ensure your urinary system gets flushed out well.
Your doctor could recommend avoiding certain types of foods, but that is an individual call. For certain types of stones, sometimes medications are prescribed to help reduce the risk.
Abdominal pain affects daily activities and quality of life. If these warning signs and symptoms are shown, immediate medical attention must be sought. Since certain abdominal diseases are presented with similar symptoms, mostly abdominal pain, accurate and timely diagnosis enables the doctors to differentiate diseases, resulting in effective treatment plans and reduced disease severity. To early detect the abnormalities, regular annual checkups with blood tests might not be sufficient. Abdominal ultrasound, as a baseline noninvasive imaging test, is additionally advised in order to screen and identify if there are any abnormal findings at the beginning stage.
4. Hernias
Hernias occur when an organ, especially small intestine protrudes through a weakened spot or tear in the abdominal wall. Hernias are commonly caused by a combination of muscle weakness and increased abdominal pressure.
Hernias cause a bulge or lump in the affected area such as groin (inguinal hernia), umbilicus (umbilical hernia) or surgical incision which is not properly closed (incisional hernia). Hernias can be particularly felt during standing up, bending down or coughing. The most common symptoms are pain or discomfort (usually at lower abdomen), weakness or heaviness in the abdomen, burning or aching sensation at the bulge.
Risk factors that might induce hernias are
- Overweight or obesity: Being overweight increases the strain and pressure on abdominal muscles and makes them weaker and more prone to developing hernias.
- Advanced age: Abdominal muscle strength decreases with advance of age, thus the elderly people are susceptible to develop hernias.
- Some conditions that strain the abdominal wall such as lifting heavy weights, exercise, strain during bowel movement from constipation, strain during urination from BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and persistent cough from smoking.
If the protruding intestine is not pushed back in place, the contents of hernia might be trapped in the abdominal wall, then becoming strangulated which cuts off blood supply to surrounding tissue that is trapped. If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. If there is any sign or symptom related to hernias, do not wait until it might be too late. Medical attention must be sought as soon as possible.
Common Causes Of Left Lower Abdominal Pain
Pain in lower left abdomen – Low Stomach Pain, Most Common Causes via youtube
1. Constipation
Constipation has many causes, including:
- Poor food habits.
- Too much sitting.
- Lack of exercise.
Sitting can lead to poor muscle tone, which can lead to poor bowel habits. Add some protein-rich foods, such as eggs or nuts, to your diet. Avoid saturated fat and simple sugars as they are hard to digest and may worsen the problem. You should have six to eight servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. You should be able to sit for short periods without feeling discomfort.
Constipation is more probable if:
- Your feces is greater than usual.
- Your feces are hard, dry, or lumpy.
- You haven’t pooped at least three times in the last seven days
2. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches called “diverticula” that develop along the walls of the intestines. The inflammation of diverticulitis can eventually result in a bowel obstruction which frequently causes chronic constipation.
Typical presented symptoms are abdominal pain and cramping on either left or right side of the abdomen. If the obstruction persists, acute diverticulitis might develop complications which may include an abscess, a blockage in colon or small intestine, an abnormal passageway (fistula) and severe bleeding characterized by blood in stool.
Treatment depends on the severity of signs and symptoms. In case of uncomplicated diverticulitis, medications will be mostly prescribed while surgical procedures might be considered in patients with complicated conditions.
The condition is preventable with good health habits and taking extra measures to relieve constipation.
3. Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infection in humans. Painful urination often is related to urinary tract infection, which is more common in women than in men. Another common cause is a kidney stone or bladder stone, they affect your bladder, kidneys and urethra. The most commonly affects the bladder and urethra. A UTI is caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra. The most common form of UTI is cystitis (a bladder infection) which is caused when E.coli bacteria aggravate the bladder’s lining. UTIs are often painless, but in some cases, they can be very uncomfortable. The following symptoms are most common:
- Pain or burning sensation when passing urine
- Feeling that you have to rush to the toilet
- A constant urge to urinate, especially at night
Other symptoms include :
- Lower abdominal pain
- Tired and ill
- Pee that smells or is cloudy
- Your urine contains blood
There’s no room for ambiguity here: If you experience pain when urinating, call your doctor for an appointment. And if your pain symptoms include blood in your urine, fever, or back pain, get immediate attention.
Lower abdomen or Hypogastric region
What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain?
Your lower abdomen has most of your small intestine and large intestine.Lower abdominal pain is most likely to be related to gastrointestinal diseases. It could also be related to your ureters, ovaries or uterus.
1. Gynecologic Disorder
A gynecological disorder is a condition that affects the female reproductive system which consists of organs in the abdominal and pelvic areas including the womb (uterus), ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva. The most common unique manifestation of gynecological disorder is “abdominal pain in the lower abdomen” that might be in the middle, left side or right side depending on the affected organs. This particular type of abdominal pain is usually a warning symptom to potentially indicate certain abnormalities in the reproductive system, mainly uterus and fallopian tubes.
Abnormal menstruation patterns such as menstrual flow that is much heavier or lighter than usual, periods that last longer than seven days or periods that occur infrequently are also typical signals of gynecologic diseases. If these abnormalities have been presented, gynecologic examinations and ultrasound are highly advised.
2. Colitis
A common type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects only the colon and rectum. A young person’s disease, most cases are diagnosed by age 30.
Symptoms are most common: Belly pain or cramps, bloody diarrhea, an urgent need to have a bowel movement, weight loss, nausea and sometimes vomiting.
Fix it: If mild, treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, you might have to take anti-inflammatory medicines or steroids.
3. Crohn’s Disease
The most common of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s usually affects the end of the small intestine and the colon.
Symptoms are most common: Persistent abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and sometimes fever. You might find blood in your stools.
Fix it: Crohn’s is most common in people under age 30. Though treatable, there is no cure. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medicines and steroids, which you might have to take for a few years or for a lifetime.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A malfunction of the nerves that control the intestines, studies suggest that about 12% of the population has IBS.
Symptoms are most common:Nausea, bloating, diarrhea or constipation and cramps in the lower part of your abdomen. These symptoms tend to lessen when you move your bowels, said Dr. Lauren Gerson, a former assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Fix it: Visit the doctor, who will probably prescribe an antispasmodic drug to regulate your impulse to go and relieve the general discomfort as well.
FAQs
When To See The Doctor?
Always see your doctor if your pain is unexplained, persistent or severe, or if you have been injured or are pregnant.
Also, see your doctor if your pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms:
- Persistent fever.
- Persistent nausea or vomiting.
- Blood in your stools, urine or vomit.
- Swelling and tenderness to the touch.
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).
- Pain in any other part of your body.
- Shortness of breath or symptoms that get worse with exertion.
- The weight reduction that is unexplained
How do you relieve abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain has a wide variety of causes and treatments. Some conditions, such as gallstones or appendicitis, may require surgery. Others, such as ulcers or infections, may be eased with medicine. And sometimes you may just have to get through a bout of stomach flu or a kidney stone until it passes.
If you don’t know what’s causing your abdominal pain, it’s important to find out, especially if it doesn’t go away on its own. Remember that even mild cases can be serious. However, if you have a pretty good idea that your stomach ache is related to digestion, you can begin by treating yourself with:
- Bowel rest. Stop eating, or only eat easy-to-digest foods like crackers or bananas.
- Hydration. Drink plenty of water or a hydration formula.
- Heat therapy. Try a warm water bottle or a soak in the bath.
- Home remedies. Try licorice for gas, ginger for indigestion, or peppermint to help relax your intestinal muscles.
You also can do things to make stomach pain less likely. It can help to:
Eat several small meals instead of three big ones
Chew your food slowly and well
Stay away from foods that bother you (spicy or fried foods, for example)
Ease stress with exercise, meditation, or yoga.
Over-the-Counter Medications
For gas pain, medicine that has the ingredient simethicone (Mylanta, Gas-X) can help get rid of it.
For heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), try an antacid or acid reducer (Pepcid AC, Zantac 75).
For constipation, a mild stool softener or laxative may help get things moving again.
For cramping from diarrhea, medicines that have loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) might make you feel better.
For other types of pain, acetaminophen (Aspirin Free Anacin, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tylenol) might be helpful. But stay away from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin), or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan). They can irritate your stomach.
How can I prevent abdominal pain?
Not all forms of abdominal pain are preventable. But you can minimize the risk of developing abdominal pain by:
- eating a healthy diet
- drinking lots of water
- exercising regularly
- eating smaller meals
If you have an intestinal disorder, like Crohn’s disease , follow the diet your doctor has given you to minimize discomfort. If you have GERD, don’t eat within 2 hours of bedtime.
Lying down too soon after eating may cause heartburn and abdominal pain. Try waiting at least 2 hours after eating before lying down.
How do you know when your abdominal pain is serious?
If you experience abdominal pain for more than 48 hours, with fever, dizziness, vomiting, or diarrhea accompanied by cramping or rigidity in your abdomen, then it might be time to see your doctor. Some of the most common causes of this kind of abdominal pain are appendicitis and Gastritis.
How is the cause of abdominal pain diagnosed?
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms seen by GPs (doctors who work in general practice).
Information about your symptoms and the location of the abdominal pain can help a doctor diagnose the cause of your pain. They will want to know how long you have had the pain and may want to do a physical examination. If you are female, this may include a pelvic examination. If you are male, it may include checking your penis and scrotum.
They may suggest you have some blood tests or other diagnostic procedures done, especially if you have had the symptoms for some time.
Tests and procedures that may help in diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain include:
- blood tests, e.g. liver function tests
- urine tests
- ultrasound
- x-ray
- endoscopy or colonoscopy – during which a long flexible tube is put either down into your stomach or into your back passage (anus) while you are under anesthetic.
- CT scan
- MRI scan
Other procedures that may be suggested, depending on your gender, include:
- pregnancy test and/or pelvic ultrasound (for women)
- ultrasound of the scrotum (for men)
Abdominal Pain Treatment and Home Remedies?
The treatment for abdominal pain depends on its cause, and may include:
- Medications to lower inflammation, prevent acid reflux, or treat ulcers or infection
- Surgery to treat a problem with an organ
Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach and worsen your pain. Don’t take them unless a doctor has diagnosed the cause of your belly pain and recommends their use.
Some diet and lifestyle changes may help belly pain
caused by gas and indigestion. Here are some things you can try:
- Eat smaller portions at more frequent meals
- Eat slowly
- Chew your food well
- Drink beverages at room temperature
- Avoid foods that give you gas or indigestion
- Manage your stress
- Limit alcohol and caffeine
- Sit up straight after you eat