Causes of Abdominal Pain

The abdominal area — between the ribs and the pelvis — is a common site of pain. It can range from a dull ache to severe pain that makes it difficult to move.

Usually, abdominal pain goes away on its own within hours or days. But if it doesn't, or you have it for longer than usual, seek medical attention.

Causes

Abdominal pain is a common problem and can range from mild to severe. It's important to know the causes of abdominal pain so you can seek medical care if necessary.

The abdomen, which is the area between your chest and groin, is home to many different organs. These include your stomach, liver, pancreas and spleen, along with your right kidney and the first sections of your small and large intestines. Your heart and lungs also pass through your abdomen, as do your blood vessels.

Most abdominal pain is not serious and will resolve without any treatment, although it may become worse or last longer if you have an underlying condition that needs attention. Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly is almost always a sign of a serious problem and should be treated as soon as possible.

If your doctor thinks your stomach pain is caused by something serious, they'll do a physical exam and may order tests. These tests may include X-rays, CT scans or other imaging techniques that can help them identify the cause of your pain.

Your doctor will ask you a lot of questions about your pain, its location, and how long it's been there. They may also ask if you have any other symptoms. This includes if you have fever, diarrhea, or pain that gets worse with movement or coughing.

Localized pain, in which you feel pain in one area of your belly, is often caused by indigestion, gas, or an infection. Cramp-like pain, in which you have sharp, sudden pain in your abdomen that goes away and comes back, is often a sign of gallstones or kidney stones.

Colicky pain, in which you have sharp, sudden, painful, often cramp-like episodes of discomfort, is sometimes caused by a stomach virus or irritable bowel syndrome.

It can also be a symptom of more serious conditions such as appendicitis or a bowel obstruction.

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and some types of cancer can also cause abdominal pain. These can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms

There are a lot of things that can cause stomach pain. Some are very common - like indigestion or the flu, while others are more serious and need immediate medical attention.

Depending on what’s causing the stomach pain, it can be generalized (pain that covers more than half of your abdomen), localized (pain that is limited to one area of your abdomen) or cramping (a dull, achy or stinging pain that often feels like it is coming and going in different areas). In most cases, this pain will go away within a few days.

If you think your stomach pain is due to gas, try not to vomit or eat too much to gas ka ilaj. Also, avoid alcohol and caffeine because they can worsen your pain.

Some people find that eating a small meal and taking a short walk can help with pain. Other people may need antacids or stomach acid reducers to relieve their pain.

Your doctor will take a look at your medical history and examine you to see what’s causing your stomach pain. This includes pressing on different parts of your abdomen to see if they feel tender or swollen.

Then your doctor may order some tests to check for any problems. They might do blood work to test your liver and kidney function or a CT scan of your abdomen to check for any changes in organ structure.

In some cases, your doctor will perform an ultrasound or MRI to confirm a diagnosis. They’ll also want to know if you have any other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting or bloody stools.

You might need to be admitted to hospital if you have severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting or bloody stools that don’t go away, and yellow skin and a swollen abdomen. It could be a sign of a dangerous condition, such as an intestinal blockage or bowel cancer.

In women, it can be associated with a number of things, such as menstruation, ectopic pregnancy or a twisted ovary. It might also be caused by a gastrointestinal disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcers of the stomach or small intestine.

Diagnosis

The doctor’s diagnosis of abdominal pain starts with a thorough symptom history and physical examination. They will also ask you about any other health conditions you may have that could be contributing to your pain. They will then make a differential diagnosis and decide how to prioritize testing and treatment.

Abdominal pain can be caused by many different things, from gas to more serious conditions like appendicitis. Generally, pain is a symptom that something is wrong with the stomach or digestive tract, so if you experience pain that lasts longer than 24 hours, is sudden and severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms like bloody stool or a fever, you should call your doctor right away.

When it comes to diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain, doctors first try to determine if it is structural or functional. If it is structural, it means that there is an abnormality with the structure of an organ that is not working properly. Medical imaging can help them make this determination, but sometimes a structural problem is not obvious from a X-ray or ultrasound.

In most cases, it is not necessary to do a surgery to diagnose stomach pain. Often, stomach pain is treated with over-the-counter and prescription medications that will help ease the discomfort.

If your pain is related to a digestive problem, such as a gallstone, kidney stone, or gastrointestinal blockage, treatment can include surgery. Female reproductive issues, such as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, can cause pain that is not easily diagnosed without testing or a hysteroscopy (a procedure to look at the inside of your pelvic area).

You should also seek immediate care if your pain is associated with other symptoms that can be dangerous, such as bleeding, a fever of more than 101 degrees, a loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, difficulty breathing, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. You should also call 911 if your pain is severe, or if you have chest pain or an injury.

Your Dignity Health physician will perform a pait dard ki desi dawa to help identify the cause of your pain. They will check your abdomen for any external clues to your problem, such as bruises and scars that could be a sign of a health condition. They will listen to the sounds your intestines make, and they will touch different areas of your abdomen with their hands to assess how painful they are.

Treatment

Many people have stomach pain now and then, but it can also be a symptom of something serious, such as a bowel blockage or a stomach ulcer. If you have stomach pain that lasts for more than a few days or isn't going away, call your doctor to get it checked out.

Your doctor can help diagnose your stomach pain by asking you questions and doing a physical examination of your abdomen. They will want to know how long your pain has been and where it is located, so they can figure out what is causing it.

If you've got generalized pain, which is pain that affects more than half of your belly, it's likely to be caused by a digestive problem. Stomach flu, a bacterial infection or a stomach ulcer may be the cause of this type of pain.

Localized pain is usually caused by a problem in an organ in your abdomen, such as your appendix or gallbladder. It's more likely to be a sign of a condition like peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, or an ulcer of the duodenum (the first section of your small intestine).

To relieve stomach pain, you can take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. These medications aren't as effective as prescription drugs, though, so you should talk to your doctor if you think they're not working.

The best way to prevent stomach pain is to eat a healthy diet and keep your bowels moving. Drink plenty of fluids, including water, to avoid dehydration. Try to eat foods that have fiber, such as vegetables and whole grains.

You can also try a heating pad to pait dard ka ilaj and ease your abdominal pain. Chamomile or peppermint tea might be helpful as well.

Some people experience chronic stomach pain that won't go away with over-the-counter medications, in which case you might see a pain medicine specialist. Trent Emerick, MD, of UPMC, says people who are diagnosed with stomach pain often find that it's best to use a combination of treatments, such as lifestyle changes, medications and psychological support.