Less serious causes of abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and stomach viruses. Other more serious causes include appendicitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, intestinal obstruction, cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
When should you be concerned about abdominal soreness?
Almost everyone experiences abdominal pain at one time or another. Symptoms you shouldn't ignore include fever, pain that gets worse or moves to the upper body, and difficulty breathing.
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is discomfort felt anywhere in the belly, from the ribs to the pelvis. It is often called "stomach pain" or "bellyache," although the pain can come from internal organs other than the stomach.
A brief episode of pain is called acute, which means "of recent onset." When you have abdominal pain for three months or more, it is considered chronic or ongoing, although this time frame is not exact.
For example, acute appendicitis is almost always an acute problem, unlike irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause chronic cramping that can last for years or longer.
Abdominal muscle soreness comes in many forms, from fleeting cramps to sudden, stabbing pains to a dull, constant abdominal ache.
Even mild pain can be an early sign of a serious condition, so health care providers often monitor these patients' condition.
Keep in mind that abdominal pain is a subjective symptom that cannot be reliably measured by healthcare professionals.
The intensity of the pain is what you say it is.
When you have abdominal pain, you may have other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Health care professionals will ask you carefully whether your pain is localized or throughout your abdomen. They will ask you what makes the pain worse and what seems to relieve it.
Does the pain change with eating or changing positions? Does it wake you up during sleep? Does it move to another part of the body? Your answers can provide important clues to diagnosis.
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Are stomach aches common?
Almost everyone will experience abdominal pain at some point. Most causes of abdominal pain are not serious and go away on their own. A healthcare professional can usually diagnose and treat them easily.
However, abdominal pain can also be a sign of a serious illness or even an emergency. Abdominal pain is responsible for about 5% of emergency room visits.
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Why do I have abdominal pain?
There are many reasons for abdominal pain. It can come from one of the organs in your belly - gallbladder, pancreas, liver, stomach and intestines - or from the abdominal wall - the outer covering of the body.
Sometimes you feel the pain in your stomach, but it is actually coming from your chest, back, or pelvis.
Abdominal wall pain is common and easy to miss because healthcare professionals may focus their attention on internal organs as the cause of the pain.
Once the abdominal wall is considered suspect, it is usually easy to make this diagnosis. If a patient tenses the abdominal wall muscles as a result of exertion, he or she may tell his or her doctor that he or she has stomach pain on the right side. Clearly, this pain is not caused by a diseased internal organ such as the gallbladder or stomach.
Health care providers can often determine the source of your pain by taking a detailed history.
Depending on the doctor's style, he or she may simply ask you to tell your medical history in your own words, in the form of a narrative. Other doctors will prefer to ask you a series of detailed questions.
Still others may use both techniques. This medical history is essential, even more important than the physical examination. After the history and physical examination, certain diagnostic tests may be recommended to establish an accurate diagnosis.
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What are the most common causes of abdominal pain?
Because the abdomen is home to multiple organs, a wide range of issues can cause pain. Discomfort can also come from nearby areas such as the chest and pelvis.
Causes of abdominal pain include:
- Digestive problems
- Constipation.
- Gas.
- Indigestion.
- Abdominal problems
- Appendicitis.
- Food poisoning.
- Food allergies.
- Diverticulitis.
- Gallstones.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Hernia.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease).
- Kidney stones.
- Stomach flu (gastroenteritis).
- Ulcers (peptic ulcer).
- Pelvic problems
- Endometriosis.
- Menstrual cramps.
- Ovarian cysts.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Chest problems
- Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
- Heart attack.
- Pneumonia.
How is abdominal pain treated?
Treatment for abdominal pain depends on its cause.
Options include:
- medicines for inflammation, gastroesophageal reflux or ulcers.
- antibiotics for infection.
- changes in personal behavior in the event of abdominal pain caused by certain foods or drinks.
- Local or spinal injections of anesthetic agents or corticosteroids by physicians specializing in pain management.
- In more serious cases such as appendicitis and hernia, surgery is necessary.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR?
What are the symptoms of abdominal pain that should be considered?
If your abdominal pain is severe or is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible:
- Nausea, fever, or inability to keep food down for several days.
- Bloody stools.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Vomiting blood.
- 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 may be signs of internal inflammation, infection, or bleeding that should be treated as quickly as possible. Less commonly, some of these symptoms may be caused by colorectal, ovarian, or abdominal cancer.
What are the four types of abdominal pain?
The 4 Types of Abdominal Muscle Soreness and What You Can Do About It.
Abdominal pain can occur anywhere from the chest to the lower abdomen and can range from a dull ache to severe pain. Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons people visit urgent care centers.
There are four types of abdominal pain: upper, lower, right side, and left side.
Each type has specific symptoms and causes, all of which are discussed below:
Common Causes of Upper Abdominal Pain
Common causes of upper abdominal pain are usually the byproducts of the digestive process. The pain is usually felt in the upper abdomen, as well as the chest, neck, or shoulders. Common symptoms include:
- bloating and gas
- acid reflux
- heartburn
- loss of appetite
- nausea
Management of pain and symptoms can usually be achieved by changing diet, eating habits, and lifestyle. Avoiding caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol will reduce symptoms.
In some cases, warning signs of a heart attack have been described as upper abdominal pain or heartburn. The pain may feel like a burning sensation in the chest or like something heavy is pressing on the chest. This type of pain may also be felt in the jaw, neck, or arms.
Heart attack victims may also experience shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea along with the burning or chest pain. A person with these symptoms, along with a family history of heart problems, should seek immediate medical attention.
Common causes of lower abdominal pain.
Common causes of lower abdominal pain include menstrual cycle, urinary tract infections, and constipation. Common symptoms include:
- cramps
- diarrhea
- back pain
- bloating
- unusual discharges
- painful urination
- painful intercourse
Management of pain associated with the above symptoms can usually be done with over-the-counter pain relievers or antacids. A person should see a doctor if any of the symptoms do not improve within three days, or at the first sign of painful urination.
Common causes of right-sided abdominal pain.
Common causes of right-sided abdominal pain are gallstones and appendicitis. The pain associated with gallstones originates in the upper right side of the abdomen and may extend to the right shoulder blade.
The pain associated with appendicitis begins in the lower right side and is not constant. As the pain moves downward, it becomes constant and intense.
Symptoms of both conditions include:
- feeling unwell
- loss of appetite
- chills and sweats
- diarrhea
If you experience any of these symptoms or pain, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Common causes of left-sided abdominal pain.
Common causes of left side abdominal pain include kidney stones, kidney infections, and diverticulitis.
Common symptoms of kidney stones and infection include:
- pain in the left and/or right area of the abdomen, in the back or in the genitals
- fever, tremors and chills
- loss of appetite
- feeling unwell
- If a kidney stone is too large to pass on its own, hospitalization is necessary. Prevention of kidney stones should be discussed with a doctor.
- "Diverticulitis" is an infection that can occur as a result of diverticular disease that affects the large intestine. People with this condition rarely have symptoms until an infection is present. Symptoms caused by the infection include:
- constant and severe abdominal pain
- fever
- blood in stool
- blood during defecation
Typically, these symptoms can be treated with diet and lifestyle changes. Antibiotics will be prescribed for the infection and an over-the-counter laxative will be recommended to aid in treatment.
In acute cases, emergency room treatment may include IV fluids for hydration and possibly surgery.
If you experience any of these symptoms or pain, you should seek medical attention immediately.
What are the main causes of abdominal pain?
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is discomfort or other uncomfortable sensations that you feel in the stomach area. Almost everyone experiences stomach pain at one time or another.
Most causes of abdominal pain are not cause for concern, and your doctor can easily diagnose and treat the problem. Sometimes, however, it can be a sign of a serious condition that requires medical attention.
Types of Abdominal Muscle Pain
There are several types of abdominal soreness, depending on how quickly the pain comes on and how long it lasts.
The pain can be:
- Acute manifests itself within hours or days and may be accompanied by other symptoms.
- Chronic lasts longer – weeks, months, or longer – and may come and go.
- progressive worsens over time and is often accompanied by other symptoms.
Causes of abdominal pain
Whether it's a mild pain or severe cramping, abdominal soreness can have many causes. For example, you may be suffering from indigestion, constipation, a stomach virus, or, if you're a woman, menstrual cramps.
Other possible causes include:
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- food poisoning
- food allergies
- Gas
- Urinary tract infection
- Strain or pull of an abdominal muscle
You may also experience abdominal pain if you are lactose intolerant, have ulcers, or have pelvic inflammatory disease.
Other causes include:
- Hernia
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Endometriosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Appendicitis
- Diverticulitis
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (swelling of the main artery in the belly)
- Obstruction or blockage of the intestine
- Cancer of the stomach, pancreas, liver, bile duct, gallbladder or immune cells
- Ovarian cancer or cysts
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Low blood flow in the intestines due to a blocked blood vessel
- Ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg develops outside the uterus, for example in a fallopian tube).
When should you call the doctor for abdominal pain?
If your abdominal pain is severe, does not go away, or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor. Call emergency services right away if you have abdominal pain because you recently injured your stomach or if you have chest pain.
You should also contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms in addition to pain, such as:
- Fever
- Inability to keep food for more than 2 days
- Signs of dehydration include lack of frequent urination, dark-colored urine, and intense thirst.
- Inability to have a bowel movement, especially if you are also vomiting.
- You have pain when you urinate or you need to urinate often.
Also call your doctor if
- Your belly is sensitive to touch
- The pain lasts more than a few hours
- You may have other symptoms that may be a sign of an internal problem in your body that needs to be treated as quickly as possible.
- Vomit blood
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- difficulty breathing
- vomiting constantly
- swelling in the belly
- skin color turns yellow
- possible pregnancy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Diagnosis of abdominal pain
Since there are so many possible causes, your doctor will do a complete physical exam. Therefore, he will also ask you some questions about your symptoms and will want to know what type of pain you have. For example, he will ask you if it is a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache?
Here are some other questions your doctor may ask you:
- Is the pain present throughout the abdomen or only in a particular area?
- When do you have pain? Always? More often in the morning or evening?
- If the pain comes and goes, how long does it last each time?
- Do you have pain after eating certain foods or drinking alcohol?
- Do you have pain during menstruation?
- How long have you been in pain?
- Does the pain sometimes move to the lower back, shoulders, groin, or buttocks?
- Are you taking any medications or herbal supplements?
- Are you pregnant?
- Does any activity help the pain, such as eating or lying on your side?
- Does any activity or position make the pain worse?
- Have you been injured recently?
Once the exam is complete and your doctor has finished asking you questions, you may need to have tests to find the cause of your pain.
These tests may include:
- Stool or urine tests
- blood tests
- Barium swallows or enemas
- Endoscopy
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Certain diet and lifestyle changes can help relieve abdominal pain caused by gas and indigestion.
Here's what 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 down immediately after eating
- Get regular physical activity and take a short walk after meals.
Summary of abdominal pain and our solutions
Abdominal aches are a symptom that affects more and more people.
Whether it is due to a sedentary lifestyle, stress at work or even intestinal problems, there can be many causes.
Fortunately, today there are different solutions to relieve this pain and regain a good quality of life.
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