Abdominal pain: What's it, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Synonyms: Abdominal pain; Abdominal cramps; sick stomach; Stomach ache

Abdominal pain; Stomach pain; Pain – abdomen; Belly ache; Abdominal cramps; Bellyache; Stomachache

What is abdominal pain

Stomach pain is pain, that a person feels in the area between the chest and groin, in the stomach or abdomen.

Almost everyone gets stomach pain at some point.. In most cases, this does not threaten anything serious..

However, the severity of the pain does not always reflect the severity of the disease., which caused it.

For Example, you may have very severe abdominal pain with flatulence or stomach cramps due to viral gastroenteritis.

However, fatal diseases, such as colon cancer or early signs of appendicitis, may cause only mild pain or no pain at all.

Types of abdominal pain include:

• generalized pain. It means, that you feel it in more than half of the abdomen. This type of pain is more characteristic of viral diseases of the stomach., indigestion or flatulence. If the pain becomes very strong, it can be caused by intestinal blockage.
• Localized pain is pain, found in only one area of ​​the abdomen. Probably, this is a sign of a problem in the body, located in the affected area, like an appendix, gallbladder or stomach.
• Spasmodic pain. In most cases, this type of pain is not severe.. This is most likely to be associated with gas and bloating and is often accompanied by diarrhea.. More warning signs include pain, which occurs more often, lasts more 24 hours or accompanied by fever.
• colicky pain. This type of pain comes in waves. It very often starts and ends suddenly and often causes severe attacks.. Kidney and gallstones are the most common causes of this type of abdominal pain..

Causes of abdominal pain

Abdominal pain can cause many diseases. It's important to know, when you need to seek immediate medical attention. Sometimes you may need to call an ambulance, if symptoms persist.

Less serious causes of abdominal pain include:

• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Food allergy or intolerance (eg, Lactose Intolerance)
• Food poisoning
• stomach flu

Other possible causes of abdominal pain include:

• Appendicitis
• Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (bulging and weakening of the wall of the main artery in the body)
• Blockage or obstruction of the bowel
• Stomach cancer, colon and other organs
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) with or without gallstones
• Decreased blood supply to the intestines (intestinal ischemia)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation and infection of the colon)
• Endometriosis
• Heartburn, indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Stones in the kidneys
• Muscle tension
• Pancreatitis (swelling or infection of the pancreas)
• Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (VZOMT)
• Rupture of an ovarian cyst
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Trumpet (ectopic) pregnancy
• Ulcers
• urinary tract infection

What to do at home for stomach pain

At home, you can try the following steps, to relieve mild stomach pain:

• Drink water or other clear liquid. You can consume sports drinks in small amounts. People with diabetes should check their blood sugar frequently and adjust their medications as needed..
• Avoid eating solid food for a few hours.
• If you were vomiting, wait 6 hours, and then eat small amounts of soft foods, like rice, applesauce or crackers. Avoid Dairy.
• If pain occurs high in the abdomen after eating, antacids may help, especially if you feel heartburn or indigestion. Avoid citrus fruits, high fat foods, fried or fatty foods, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks.
• DO NOT TAKE any medication, without talking to your doctor.

Additional Steps, which may help prevent certain types of abdominal pain:

• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Eat small meals more often.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit your food intake, cause flatulence.
• Check, that your meals are well balanced and high in fiber. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

When to See a Healthcare Professional for Stomach Pain

Seek immediate medical attention or call the emergency medical number if::

• You are currently undergoing cancer treatment
• Can't defecate, especially if you are vomiting at this time
• Vomiting blood or blood in the stool (especially if it's bright red, burgundy or dark, pitch black)
• Chest pain, neck or shoulder
• Sudden sharp pain in the abdomen
• Pain in or between shoulder blades with nausea
• Have pain in the abdomen, or the abdomen is hard and hard to the touch
• You are or may be pregnant
• Have a recent abdominal injury
• Have difficulty breathing

Call your doctor, if you:

• Abdominal discomfort, that lasts one week or longer
• Abdominal pain, that does not improve within 24 to 48 hours, or becomes more severe and more frequent and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal distention, which is kept for more 2 days
• Burning when urinating or frequent urination
• more diarrhea 5 days
• Fever above 100°F (37,7°C) in adults or 100.4° F (38°C) for children, for abdominal pain
• Prolonged poor appetite
• Prolonged vaginal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss

What to Expect When Seeing a Doctor for Stomach Pain

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Specific Symptoms, the location of the pain and the time it occurred will help the healthcare professional determine the cause.

WHERE YOU FEEL PAIN IN THE STOMACH

• Where do you feel the pain?
• Pain in the whole abdomen or just one area?
• Pain moves to the back, groin or down the legs?

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF PAIN

• The pain is strong, sharp or cramping?
• Pain is felt constantly or occasionally?
• Pain keeps me awake?

HISTORY OF ABDOMINAL PAIN

• Have you had similar pains in the past? How long was each episode?
• When pain occurs? For Example, after meals or during menstruation?
• What makes the pain worse? For Example, food, stress or lying down?
• What relieves the pain? For Example, milk, going to the toilet or taking medication?
• What medications do you take?

OTHER MEDICAL HISTORY

• Have you had a recent injury?
• You are pregnant?
• What other symptoms are you experiencing??

Tests, which can be prescribed for abdominal pain, include:

• Barium enema
• Blood tests, urine and feces
• CT scan
• Colonoscopy or rectoromanoscopy (tube through the rectum to the large intestine)
• ECG (electrocardiogram) or cardiogram
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Gastroscopy (tube through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine)
• Examination of the upper GI tract and small intestine
• X-ray of the abdomen

Sources

1. McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.
2. Smith KA. Abdominal pain. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 24.
3. Squires R, Carter SN, Postier RG. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 45.