Digestive System Your Family's Guide to Understanding The Digestive System

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain in adults can range in strength from a meek stomach ache to severe acute pain. The pain can be caused by a diversity of conditions. There are a lot of organs found within the abdominal cavity. Most of the time, the pain is directly related to a specific organ such as the ovary or stomach. Usually, the pain comes from the digestive system. The pain can be caused by diarrhea, dyspepsia, or appendicitis.

The kind and location of pain may help the physician find the cause. The intensity and duration of pain must also be considered in making the diagnosis. The physician will try to elicit the area of the abdomen where the pain originates when determining the cause of abdominal pain.

There are a lot of acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) diseases that would cause abdominal pain. People worry about diseases such as gallbladder disease, ulcers, appendicitis, infections, and it can also be pregnancy associated problems.

Physicians worry about conditions such as ruptured blood vessels, heart attack, liver and pancreas inflammation, kidney stones, diverticulitis, and a lot more diseases.

There are also abdominal pains that do not arise from the abdomen. There are some heart attacks and pneumonias that would cause abdominal pain. Patients with diseases on the pelvis or groin can also cause abdominal pain. And there are certain rashes like shingles, can be felt as abdominal pain, even though the person has nothing wrong inside them.

The physician may not find the cause of the abdominal pain. There are times that there is no specific cause determined, but the pain would get better in just a matter of hours or days. But if the pain would persist, a cause is usually found.

Abdominal pain is a symptom. No matter how mild the pain may be, you should never take it for granted because it may mean that the patient has a medical problem that needs treatment. A pain in the abdomen may go along with other symptoms. A person should keep track of the symptoms because this would help the physician find the cause of the pain.

A person experiencing an abdominal pain should seek medical care if the pain lasts more than six hours or if the pain is getting worse. Pain that is accompanied by vomiting more than three or four times and a pain that would stop the person from eating should also be noted. And an abdominal pain especially in the right lower abdomen and also pain along with inability to urinate, move the bowels, or pass gas. Whatever the duration and intensity of the pain may be, a person should immediately go to a healthcare provider.

Diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain is one of the hardest things for a healthcare provider. Sometimes all that the provider can do is being sure that the pain does not require surgery or admission to the hospital. In going to the hospital, the healthcare provider would definitely ask a lot of questions to try to determine what is causing the person’s pain. Some may seem unrelated to the current condition, but a person should try to answer them as completely as possible.

-- VDoctor

Abdominal Pain Recommended Resources:

University of Maryland Medical Center

Healthy Life Students' Self-care Guide

James Fisher 15.04.09 at 01:29am

Abdominal pains may lead to other health problems. It is best to diagnose the pain very well to determine what measures must be done.

maria brizuela 09.06.09 at 12:30pm

I have had a really bad cramping/ stabbing like pain in the right abdomen since last night ( around 12 midnight. it is now almost 1 pm the next day) The pain starts mainly when I inhale or move. It also spreads up to the right side of my neck. i have bloating that goes along with it. I did eat some restaurant left overs from the night before & later on was involved in sexual activities with my spouse just before it started. Could any of these be the factors contributing to this cramping? How do I know If I should see a doctor? I do not know if my health insurance would cover this 7 I do not want to see a doctor if it is something that will just pass. But I am at work which requires me to sit in my desk all day.

Thank you

Gina Hall 16.06.09 at 16:02pm

My daughter has been having abdomoninal pain on and off for a little while and today she had a bowel movement that was green, like grass green. I took her to the doctor but they aren't able to tell me what's going on. They xrayed her and didn't see anything signifigant. Does anyone have suggestions on why her bowel movement may have been green?

Teri 17.12.09 at 14:55pm

I had a sharp pain in my abdominal, yesterday it lasted 3 seconds, but very severe pain. then today I was doing some phyisical activity and the pain came again very sharp and intence it lasted 3 seconds. and came back again for another 3 seconds.
I had several ectopic pregnancy in the past (23 years ago, and my tubes were taken. So I think I can rule out etopic pregnancy. But the pain almost feels the same.

kay 10.01.10 at 13:47pm

If the bowel is green, it is good. That is not bad, It can just indicate that a person had vegtables or sometimes koolaid will cause that. But usually green bowel movements are good.

sharell rivera 22.01.10 at 21:27pm

i have been having adominal pains on my left side for years an on doctors or gi doctors can seem to find out what the problem is this is a ongoing problem for me and its getting worst each time please someone give me a answer help me out im i pain ...

Dan Manning 08.02.10 at 11:55am

My Mom has been having problems of not having bowl movements. When she does there the little rabbit pellets..She was hospitalized a few weeks ago and ginin a gallon of junk to drink which glowed I guess.. Point being they said no problem... Well she is back to being constipated, what can we do for her ???

janel 20.02.10 at 22:55pm

I have pain in my left lower abdomen.. Its been two days now. What do I do ? See a doctor ?

Mallory 13.03.10 at 08:36am

Janel,

Any time you have pain for more than 24 hours - please go see a Doctor.

Mallory 13.03.10 at 08:42am

sharell rivera,

Too bad the MD's diagnose the problem. Have tried to change you diet which may lessen your symptoms?

My mom has a very similar symptoms and the Doc's can't figure it out and by cutting out dairy and foods with gluten have helped reduce her pain.

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deana 11.06.10 at 23:42pm

i started having severe abdominal pain, cramping sensation and tense feeling in my stomach and pain in my lower right side. I also have pain in my lower back. The pain intensifies when i eat or if i drink a lot at one time. i have not hardly eaten anything substancial in the last couple of weeks. uncomfortable to stay sitting for long periods. i went to the emergency room, having difficulty breathing and severe abdominal pain. After 7 hours they had only tested me for a urinary tract infection, told me i had a kidney infection. After 4 days of drinking straight water i was still having pain, went to my doctor they did an ultrasound of my pelvis and kidneys, with no sign of any infections. then my doctor proceeded to tell me to take antacids. I have for the last two days and still no relief, what else do i need to do. i am having bowel movements, no fever and no vomitting.

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