Abdominal Pain
Just about everybody at one point or another will experience abdominal pain.
Most of the causes are not serious and can be readily diagnosed and
treated. However, pain can also be a sign of a serious illness. It's
important to be able to recognize symptoms that are severe and know when
to call a doctor.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Abdominal Pain?
Whether it is a mild stomach ache, sharp pain, or stomach cramps, abdominal pain has numerous causes. These include:
-
Indigestion
-
Constipation
- Stomach "flu"
- Menstrual cramps
-
Food poisoning
- Food allergies
-
Gas
-
Lactose intolerance
-
Ulcers
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Hernia
-
Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Endometriosis
-
Crohn's disease
- Urinary tract infection
-
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Appendicitis
What Symptoms of Abdominal Pain Are Cause for Concern?
If your abdominal pain is severe or if it is accompanied by any
of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible:
- Fever
- Inability to keep food down for several days
- Inability to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Bloody stools
- Difficulty breathing
- Painful or unusually frequent urination
- The pain occurs during pregnancy
- The abdomen is tender to the touch
- The pain is the result of an injury to the abdomen in the previous days
- The pain lasts for several days
These symptoms can be an indication of an internal problem that requires treatment as soon as possible.
How Is the Cause of Abdominal Pain Determined?
Because there are so many potential causes of abdominal pain, your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam,
discuss with you the type of symptoms you are experiencing, and ask you
several related questions about the pain you are feeling. These
questions may include:
- What type of pain are you experiencing? Is the pain throughout your abdomen or is it confined to a particular area?
- Where in your abdomen does the pain seem to be located?
- What type of pain are you experiencing? Is it stabbing and severe? Is it a dull ache?
- When does the pain occur? Always? More often in the morning or
at night? If the pain comes and goes, about how long does it last each
time? Does it occur after eating certain types of foods or after
drinking alcohol? During menstruation?
- How long have you had this pain?
- Does the pain also radiate into your lower back, shoulder, groin, or buttocks?
- Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
- Are you pregnant?
- Does any activity such as eating or lying on one side relieve the pain?
- Have you been injured recently?
Once an initial evaluation has been completed, your doctor may
have you undergo some tests to help him or her diagnose your pain. These
may include stool or urine tests, blood tests, barium swallows or enemas, an endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.
How Is Abdominal Pain Treated?
Treating abdominal pain depends on its cause. This can range from medications for inflammation, GERD, or ulcers,
to antibiotics for infections, to changes in personal behavior for
abdominal pain caused by certain foods or beverages. In some cases such
as appendicitis and a hernia, surgery is necessary.
