Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is something everyone experiences at some time in their life. It can mean anything from a mild indigestion to a serious problem like appendicitis or a perforated bowel. Abdominal pain can be caused by a problem in any one of the following organs: lower esophagus, stomach, intestines, aorta, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, appendix, spleen and kidneys. Abdominal pain can also originate in the chest or pelvis and radiate to the abdomen. Even conditions like strep throat and the flu can cause abdominal pain as part of the disease.

Abdominal pain can be serious or mild and the severity of the pain doesn't reflect the seriousness of the illness. Severe crampy abdominal pain can be due to nothing more than gastroenteritis. Mild abdominal pain can reflect early appendicitis or cancer in the abdomen.

Abdominal pain may be diffuse and affect at least half of the abdomen. This is common with gas, indigestion or gastroenteritis. Pain can also be well localized, such as with appendicitis or gallbladder disease. Even stomach ulcers can be localized to the central or left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Crampy pain in the abdomen is usually due to gas and bloating of the intestines. It is usually not serious and is associated with having diarrhea. Colicky pain comes and goes in waves. This can be associated with having kidney stones or perhaps gallstones.

There are numerous causes of abdominal pain, including appendicitis, cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), bowel obstruction, constipation, diverticulitis, dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm, diverticulitis, food poisoning, food allergy, urinary tract infections, ulcers, tumors or cancer, lactose intolerance, ischemic bowel, kidney stones, irritable bowel syndrome or heartburn. A serious cause of abdominal pain is mesenteric ischemia, which is a lack of adequate blood supply to the intestines so that a portion of the bowels or intestines dies off. This can be fatal if not recognized and treated promptly.

If an inflamed area erodes into the abdominal cavity, such as when the appendix ruptures, the pain changes and becomes more diffuse. The abdomen becomes hard and very tender to touching it. A fever develops and the patient has what is called peritonitis. Peritonitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention.

You can get abdominal pain from menstrual cramps which actually originates in the pelvis. Endometriosis also originates in the pelvis and can cause severe pelvic and abdominal pain with menstruation. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition of infection of the pelvic organs in a female that can lead to chronic abdominal pain if not dealt with directly. Ectopic pregnancies can cause bleeding and abdominal pain and are medical emergencies.

The home treatment of abdominal pain includes taking a warm bath and sipping water or other clear fluid like tea. You should not take in solid foods, especially if you have been vomiting. Eat small amounts of bland food if you have not been vomiting. Try an antacid if the pain is in the upper abdomen. Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin. Take Tylenol instead.

If you need to see a doctor, expect a complete history and physical examination. Your doctor will examine your abdomen carefully and will take blood for kidney function, liver function and a CBC to check for infection. Blood tests for pancreatic disease, such as amylase and lipase levels will be checked if pancreatic problems are suspected. An x-ray can be done to the abdomen to look at the air and fluid levels in the intestines. A CT scan or MRI scan of the abdomen can look at the various organs and can check for certain cancers of the abdomen. Pelvic disease and abscesses can be picked up on these scans. Sometimes a barium enema, colonoscopy, or upper GI endoscopy can be done to look directly at the internal abdominal tissues. Biopsies can be taken.

The treatment of abdominal pain depends on the cause of the disease. It may be anything from watchful waiting until the pain passes or emergency surgery to remove an abscess or infected organ. This is why the correct diagnosis of the abdominal pain should be undertaken.