What are the common causes of abdominal pain. How can you differentiate between mild and severe abdominal discomfort. When should you seek immediate medical attention for stomach pain. What home remedies can alleviate abdominal discomfort.

Understanding Abdominal Pain: Types and Characteristics

Abdominal pain is a common ailment that affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives. It refers to discomfort felt anywhere between the chest and groin, often described as stomach pain or belly ache. While the severity of pain doesn’t always correlate with the seriousness of the underlying condition, understanding the different types of abdominal pain can help in determining the appropriate course of action.

Types of Abdominal Pain

• Generalized pain: Felt in more than half of the belly
• Localized pain: Concentrated in one specific area
• Cramp-like pain: Often associated with gas and bloating
• Colicky pain: Comes in waves and can be severe

Generalized pain is typically associated with conditions like stomach viruses, indigestion, or gas. However, if it intensifies, it could indicate intestinal blockage. Localized pain, on the other hand, often points to issues with specific organs such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.

Cramp-like pain, while usually not serious, can be a cause for concern if it persists for more than 24 hours or is accompanied by fever. Colicky pain, characterized by its wave-like nature and sudden onset and cessation, is often linked to kidney stones or gallstones.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain: From Mild to Severe

Abdominal pain can stem from a wide range of conditions, varying from mild, temporary discomfort to severe, life-threatening issues. Recognizing the potential causes can help in determining when to seek medical attention.

Mild Causes of Abdominal Pain

• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Food poisoning
• Stomach flu

These conditions, while uncomfortable, often resolve on their own or with minimal intervention. However, persistent symptoms may require medical evaluation.

Severe Causes of Abdominal Pain

1. Appendicitis
2. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
3. Bowel obstruction
4. Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
5. Diverticulitis
6. Pancreatitis
7. Ectopic pregnancy

These conditions often require immediate medical attention. For instance, appendicitis, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications. Similarly, an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be fatal if it ruptures.

Recognizing Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

While many cases of abdominal pain can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Recognizing these red flags can be crucial in preventing serious complications.

Seek emergency medical care if you experience:

• Severe, sudden abdominal pain
• Pain accompanied by fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
• Bloody stools or vomiting blood
• Inability to have a bowel movement, especially with vomiting
• Chest, neck, or shoulder pain
• Tender, rigid abdomen
• Pain during pregnancy or possible pregnancy

These symptoms could indicate serious conditions such as appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, or internal bleeding, which require prompt medical intervention.

Home Care Strategies for Mild Abdominal Discomfort

For mild abdominal pain, several home care strategies can provide relief. However, it’s important to monitor your symptoms and seek medical advice if they persist or worsen.

Dietary Modifications

• Sip clear fluids to prevent dehydration
• Avoid solid foods for a few hours if vomiting
• Gradually introduce mild foods like rice, applesauce, or crackers
• Avoid dairy products, citrus, high-fat foods, and carbonated beverages

These dietary adjustments can help soothe an upset stomach and prevent further irritation.

Lifestyle Changes

• Rest and avoid strenuous activities
• Apply a warm compress to the affected area
• Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress-induced discomfort

Implementing these lifestyle changes can aid in managing mild abdominal pain and promoting overall digestive health.

Preventive Measures: Reducing the Risk of Abdominal Pain

While not all instances of abdominal pain can be prevented, certain lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of developing digestive issues.

Dietary Habits

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Consume smaller, more frequent meals
• Incorporate fiber-rich foods into your diet
• Limit foods known to produce gas

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can promote digestive health and reduce the likelihood of abdominal discomfort.

Lifestyle Choices

• Exercise regularly to promote healthy digestion
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or meditation
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

These lifestyle choices not only contribute to better digestive health but also improve overall well-being.

Diagnostic Approaches: How Medical Professionals Evaluate Abdominal Pain

When seeking medical attention for abdominal pain, healthcare providers employ various diagnostic tools and techniques to determine the underlying cause.

Physical Examination

The initial step often involves a thorough physical examination, where the doctor will:

• Palpate the abdomen to check for tenderness or masses
• Listen for bowel sounds using a stethoscope
• Check vital signs including temperature and blood pressure

Medical History

Your doctor will inquire about:

• The nature and duration of your symptoms
• Any recent changes in diet or medication
• Family history of digestive disorders

Diagnostic Tests

Depending on the suspected cause, your doctor may order:

• Blood tests to check for infection or inflammation
• Urine tests to rule out urinary tract infections
• Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds
• Endoscopic procedures for a closer look at the digestive tract

These diagnostic approaches help healthcare providers pinpoint the cause of abdominal pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment Options: From Over-the-Counter Remedies to Surgical Interventions

The treatment for abdominal pain varies widely depending on the underlying cause. Options range from simple home remedies to complex surgical procedures.

Over-the-Counter Medications

• Antacids for heartburn and indigestion
• Anti-diarrheal medications for loose stools
• Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Always consult with a healthcare provider before taking any medication, as some can worsen certain conditions.

Prescription Medications

For more severe or chronic conditions, your doctor may prescribe:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux
• Anti-spasmodics for irritable bowel syndrome

Surgical Interventions

In some cases, surgery may be necessary. Common procedures include:

• Appendectomy for appendicitis
• Cholecystectomy for gallbladder issues
• Hernia repair

The specific treatment plan will depend on the diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and overall health of the patient.

Living with Chronic Abdominal Pain: Management Strategies and Support

For individuals dealing with chronic abdominal pain, developing effective management strategies is crucial for maintaining quality of life.

Pain Management Techniques

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Physical therapy or gentle exercises

These techniques can help individuals cope with persistent pain and reduce its impact on daily life.

Dietary Modifications

Working with a nutritionist can help identify trigger foods and develop a diet plan that minimizes discomfort. This may involve:

• Eliminating common irritants like caffeine or spicy foods
• Following specific diets such as low-FODMAP for IBS
• Keeping a food diary to track symptoms and identify patterns

Support Networks

Living with chronic pain can be emotionally challenging. Seeking support through:

• Support groups for specific conditions
• Mental health professionals
• Online communities of individuals with similar experiences

These resources can provide emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community for those managing chronic abdominal pain.

Abdominal pain, while common, can range from a minor inconvenience to a sign of a serious medical condition. By understanding the different types of pain, recognizing warning signs, and knowing when to seek medical attention, individuals can better manage their digestive health. Whether dealing with occasional discomfort or chronic pain, a combination of medical guidance, lifestyle adjustments, and support can help improve quality of life and overall well-being. Remember, persistent or severe abdominal pain should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Abdominal pain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.

Almost everyone has pain in the abdomen at some point. Most of the time, it is not serious.

How bad your pain is does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition causing the pain.

For example, you might have very bad abdominal pain if you have gas or stomach cramps due to viral gastroenteritis.

However, fatal conditions, such as colon cancer or early appendicitis, may only cause mild pain or no pain.

Other ways to describe pain in your abdomen include:

• Generalized pain — This means that you feel it in more than half of your belly. This type of pain is more typical for a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas. If the pain becomes more severe, it may be caused by a blockage of the intestines.
• Localized pain — This is pain found in only one area of your belly. It is more likely to be a sign of a problem in an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.
• Cramp-like pain — This type of pain is not serious most of the time. It is likely to be due to gas and bloating, and is often followed by diarrhea. More worrisome signs include pain that occurs more often, lasts more than 24 hours, or occurs with a fever.
• Colicky pain — This type of pain comes in waves. It very often starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe. Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes of this type of belly pain.

Many different conditions can cause abdominal pain. The key is to know when you need to get medical care right away. Sometimes, you may only need to call a health care provider if your symptoms continue.

Less serious causes of abdominal pain include:

• 
  Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Food allergies or intolerance (such as lactose intolerance)
• Food poisoning
• Stomach flu

Other possible causes include:

• Appendicitis
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (bulging and weakening of the major artery in the body)
• Bowel blockage or obstruction
• Cancer of the stomach, colon (large bowel), and other organs
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) with or without gallstones
• Decreased blood supply to the intestines (ischemic bowel)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation and infection of the colon)
• Endometriosis
• Heartburn, indigestion, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Kidney stones
• Muscle strain
• Pancreatitis (swelling or infection of the pancreas)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ruptured ovarian cyst
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Tubal (ectopic) pregnancy
• Ulcers
• Urinary tract infections (UTI)

You can try the following home care steps to ease mild abdominal pain:

• Sip water or other clear fluids. You may have sports drinks in small amounts. People with diabetes must check their blood sugar often and adjust their medicines as needed.
• Avoid solid food for the first few hours.
• If you have been vomiting, wait 6 hours, and then eat small amounts of mild foods such as rice, applesauce, or crackers. Avoid dairy products.
• If the pain is high up in your abdomen and occurs after meals, antacids may help, especially if you feel heartburn or indigestion. Avoid citrus, high-fat foods, fried or greasy foods, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
• DO NOT take any medicine without talking to your provider.

These additional steps may help prevent some types of abdominal pain:

• Drink plenty of water each day.
• Eat small meals more frequently.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit foods that produce gas.
• Make sure that your meals are well-balanced and high in fiber. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Get medical help right away or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if you:

• Are currently being treated for cancer
• Are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
• Are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool (especially if bright red, maroon or dark, tarry black)
• Have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
• Have sudden, sharp abdominal pain
• Have pain in, or between, your shoulder blades with nausea
• Have tenderness in your belly, or your belly is rigid and hard to the touch
• Are pregnant or could be pregnant
• Had a recent injury to your abdomen
• Have difficulty breathing

Contact your provider if you have:

• Abdominal discomfort that lasts 1 week or longer
• Abdominal pain that does not improve in 24 to 48 hours, or becomes more severe and frequent and occurs with nausea and vomiting
• Bloating that persists for more than 2 days
• Burning sensation when you urinate or frequent urination
• Diarrhea for more than 5 days
• Fever, over 100°F (37. 7°C) for adults or 100.4°F (38°C) for children, with pain
• Prolonged poor appetite
• Prolonged vaginal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Your specific symptoms, the location of pain and when it occurs will help your provider detect the cause.

LOCATION OF YOUR PAIN

• Where do you feel the pain?
• Is it all over or in one spot?
• Does the pain move into your back, groin, or down your legs?

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF YOUR PAIN

• Is the pain severe, sharp, or cramping?
• Do you have it all the time, or does it come and go?
• Does the pain wake you up at night?

HISTORY OF YOUR PAIN

• Have you had similar pain in the past? How long has each episode lasted?
• When does the pain occur? For example, after meals or during menstruation?
• What makes the pain worse? For example, eating, stress, or lying down?
• What makes the pain better? For example, drinking milk, having a bowel movement, or taking an antacid?
• What medicines are you taking?

OTHER MEDICAL HISTORY

• Have you had a recent injury?
• Are you pregnant?
• What other symptoms do you have?

Tests that may be done include:

• Barium enema
• Blood, urine, and stool tests
• CT scan
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (tube through the rectum into the colon)
• ECG (electrocardiogram) or heart tracing
• Ultrasound of the abdomen
• Upper endoscopy (tube through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine)
• Upper GI (gastrointestinal) and small bowel series
• X-rays of the abdomen

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

• Gallstones – discharge

• Anatomical landmarks adult – front view
• Abdominal organs
• Abdominal quadrants
• Appendicitis
• Kidney function

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.

Landmann A, Bonds M, Postier R. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46.

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.

Weber F. Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of systemic diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 37.

Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. D.A.M. Editorial team.

Causes and When to See a Doctor

Stomach pain can be caused by a wide variety of issues, from gas to more serious conditions like appendicitis or Crohn’s disease. Noting the severity and area of the abdomen affected can help with a diagnosis.

Abdominal pain is pain that occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. Abdominal pain can be crampy, achy, dull, intermittent, or sharp. It’s also called a stomachache.

Localized pain is limited to one area of the abdomen. This type of pain is often caused by problems in a particular organ. The most common cause of localized pain is stomach ulcers (open sores on the stomach’s inner lining).

Cramp-like pain may be associated with diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or flatulence. In people assigned female at birth, it can be associated with menstruation, miscarriage, or reproductive complications. This pain comes and goes, and may go away on its own without treatment.

Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections that affect the stomach and intestines may also cause significant abdominal pain.

Types of abdominal pain

Not all abdominal pain is the same. For example, if you’re experiencing acute abdominal pain, you’ve most likely only been dealing with the discomfort for about a week, maybe less.

Chronic abdominal pain, on the other hand, is pain that’s constant or recurring. It lasts for a period of 3 months or longer.

Since there are a number of gastrointestinal and systemic disorders that lead to abdominal pain, doctors and healthcare professionals sometimes have a hard time understanding the root cause of the pain.

Progressive abdominal pain is pain that gets worse over time. Typically other symptoms occur as the abdominal pain progresses. Progressive abdominal pain is often a sign of something more serious. Read on to learn more about the different types of abdominal pain, including what and where the pain occurs and potential causes.

Abdominal pain may be felt anywhere between the chest and groin region of your body. The pain may be generalized, localized, or it may feel like cramps in your belly. If you have cramping or discomfort in your stomach, it may be due to gas, bloating, or constipation. Or it might be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

Colicky pain in the abdomen region comes and goes. One moment, you may feel fine, but the next, you may experience sharp, sudden pain in your abdomen. Kidney stones and gallstones are often the cause of this type of pain.

Many conditions can cause abdominal pain. But the main causes are:

• infection
• abnormal growths
• inflammation
• obstruction (blockage)
• intestinal disorders
• inflammation
• diseases that affect the organs in the abdomen

Infections in the throat, intestines, and blood can cause bacteria to enter your digestive tract, resulting in abdominal pain. These infections may also cause changes in digestion, like diarrhea or constipation.

Cramps associated with menstruation are also a potential source of lower abdominal pain, but these are more commonly known to cause pelvic pain.

Other common causes of abdominal pain include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
• acid reflux (when stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms)
• vomiting
• stress

Diseases that affect the digestive system can also cause chronic abdominal pain. The most common are:

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon (a disorder that causes abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel movements)
• Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease)
• lactose intolerance (the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products)

Causes of severe abdominal pain include:

• organ rupture or near-rupture (like a burst appendix, or appendicitis)
• gallbladder stones (known as gallstones)
• kidney stones
• kidney infection

The location of the pain within the abdomen may be a clue as to its cause.

Pain that’s generalized throughout the abdomen (not in one specific area) may indicate:

• appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
• Crohn’s disease
• traumatic injury
• irritable bowel syndrome
• urinary tract infection
• the flu

Pain that’s focused in the lower abdomen may indicate:

• appendicitis
• intestinal obstruction
• ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb)

In people assigned female at birth, pain in the reproductive organs of the lower abdomen can be caused by:

• severe menstrual pain (called dysmenorrhea)
• ovarian cysts
• miscarriage
• fibroids
• endometriosis
• pelvic inflammatory disease
• ectopic pregnancy

Upper abdominal pain may be caused by:

• gallstones
• heart attack
• hepatitis (liver inflammation)
• pneumonia

Pain in the center of the abdomen might be from:

• appendicitis
• gastroenteritis
• injury
• uremia (buildup of waste products in your blood)

Lower left abdominal pain may be caused by:

• Crohn’s disease
• cancer
• kidney infection
• ovarian cysts
• appendicitis

Upper left abdominal pain is sometimes caused by:

• enlarged spleen
• fecal impaction (hardened stool that can’t be eliminated)
• injury
• kidney infection
• heart attack
• cancer

Causes of lower right abdominal pain include:

• appendicitis
• hernia (when an organ protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles)
• kidney infection
• cancer
• flu

Upper right abdominal pain may result from:

• hepatitis
• injury
• pneumonia
• appendicitis

Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment. For example, if you’re experiencing abdominal pain because of gas or bloating, it may simply need to run its course.

But in some cases, abdominal pain may warrant a trip to the doctor.

Call 911 if your abdominal pain is severe and associated with trauma (from an accident or injury) or pressure or pain in your chest.

You should seek immediate medical care if the pain is so severe that you can’t sit still or need to curl into a ball to get comfortable, or if you have any of the following:

• bloody stools
• fever greater than 101°F (38.33°C)
• vomiting up blood (called hematemesis)
• persistent nausea or vomiting
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• swelling or severe tenderness of the abdomen
• difficulty breathing

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
• prolonged constipation
• vomiting
• a burning sensation when you urinate
• fever
• loss of appetite
• unexplained weight loss

Call your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and you experience abdominal pain.

If you don’t already have a gastroenterologist, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.

The cause of abdominal pain can be diagnosed through a series of tests as well as an honest conversation with your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Before ordering tests, your doctor will do a physical examination. This includes gently pressing on various areas of your abdomen to check for tenderness and swelling.

Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Where exactly are you feeling the pain?
• Has the pain always been in this one location, or has it moved?
• How severe is the pain?
• Is the pain constant, or does it come and go in waves?
• Is the pain so bad that it’s interfering with your daily life?
• What were you doing when the pain began?
• Is there a time of day when the pain is the worst?
• When was your last bowel movement?
• Do you have regular bowel movements?
• Have you noticed any changes in your urine?
• Have you made any major changes to your diet?

People of reproductive age who were assigned female at birth may also be asked questions about their sexual and menstruation history.

When used in consideration of the severity of the pain and its location within the abdomen, this information will help your doctor determine which tests to order.

Imaging tests, like MRI scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays, are used to view organs, tissues, and other structures in the abdomen in detail. These tests can help diagnose tumors, fractures, ruptures, and inflammation.

Other tests include:

• colonoscopy (to look inside the colon and intestines)
• endoscopy (to detect inflammation and abnormalities in the esophagus and stomach)
• upper GI (a special X-ray test that uses contrast dye to check for the presence of growths, ulcers, inflammation, blockages, and other abnormalities in the stomach)

Blood, urine, and stool samples may also be collected to look for evidence of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections.

How abdominal pain is treated is highly dependent on the diagnosis. Medications that reduce inflammation may help with stomach pains resulting from ulcers.

But other conditions, like kidney stones, may require more intensive treatment like shock wave lithotripsy. Inflammation of the gall bladder might require gall bladder surgery.

Your doctor might prescribe a pain-modifying drug, like amitriptyline or trazodone, to address the pain. These may help change the way the brain processes pain signals.

If you and your doctor have determined that your abdominal pain is not the result of a serious medical condition, there are a number of home health remedies that may provide relief. Here’s a brief list:

• bitters and soda
• ginger
• chamomile tea
• BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast)
• peppermint
• apple cider vinegar
• heating pad
• warm bath

Not all forms of abdominal pain are preventable. But you can minimize the risk of developing abdominal pain by:

• eating a healthy diet
• drinking lots of water
• exercising regularly
• eating smaller meals

If you have an intestinal disorder, like Crohn’s disease, follow the diet your doctor has given you to minimize discomfort. If you have GERD, don’t eat within 2 hours of bedtime.

Lying down too soon after eating may cause heartburn and abdominal pain. Try waiting at least 2 hours after eating before lying down.

If you’re experiencing abdominal pain, it’s important that you don’t jump to conclusions because it’s often not serious. Speak with your doctor if the pain is chronic or progressive. If acute abdominal pain is severe, call your doctor so you can get to the bottom of what’s happening and begin the proper course of treatment.

Read this article in Spanish.

Gastroenterology: Abdominal pain – diagnosis and treatment in St. Petersburg, price

The most common and most common symptom in pathologies of the abdominal organs is abdominal pain. But often under the “mask” of abdominal pain, diseases of organs located in the immediate vicinity (for example, the heart or spine) are hidden. As a rule, pain that lasts a short time (several seconds or a minute) is not a formidable symptom.

In what case should you consult a doctor if you experience abdominal pain?

• if the duration of the pain is hours or days,
• if the pain is intermittent for more than 3-4 weeks,
• even if not intense pain is accompanied by a decrease in body weight, nausea, heartburn, a violation of the frequency and nature of the stool.

All this is a serious symptom, you need to contact a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist as soon as possible, undergo a medical examination.

Indication of a medical emergency:

• Very severe pain lasting more than two hours.
• Sharp pain accompanied by bleeding from the genital tract or rectal bleeding.
• If the pain is associated with symptoms such as fever, jaundice, dark urine, vomiting, light-colored pasty or black stools.

What measures should be taken in case of abdominal pain?

First of all, you need to consult with a general practitioner and (or) a gastroenterologist.

For pain in the abdomen, it is not recommended to take painkillers, and it is also forbidden to apply a heating pad and use other traditional medicine. You cannot prescribe medicines on your own using knowledge, for example, from advertising – this can lead to a deterioration in your health. Elimination of pain, lowering the temperature makes it difficult to make a diagnosis, and often makes it impossible, which can lead to life-threatening and health complications. In no case should one treat a pain symptom, especially in the abdomen, lightly, because it is in the abdominal cavity that the bulk of the most important human organs are located. A variety of diseases of the endocrine organs, the cardiovascular system, the urogenital area can be accompanied by the occurrence of a pain symptom in the abdomen.

What possible examinations will the doctor offer you after the examination?

• CBC, urinalysis, biochemical blood test (AST, AlAT, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lipase, C-reactive protein, bilirubin, glucose, GGTP, total protein, creatinine, urea), blood test for tumor markers , coprogram, analysis of feces for occult blood, analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis, analysis of feces for acute intestinal infections, analysis of feces for helminth eggs, blood analysis for viral hepatitis, antibodies to helminths, giardia, roundworms, toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus, etc.
• Ultrasound abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys), pelvic organs is a simple but effective procedure, thanks to which it is possible to assess the condition of internal organs, as well as to establish their size and other important characteristics.
• Video gastroduodenoscopy (VGDS) is by far the most effective and informative type of study in diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This type of study is prescribed for suspicion of the widest range of diseases: a stomach or intestinal ulcer, gastritis, stomach erosion, etc.
• Videocolonoscopy (B KS) is a medical procedure during which an endoscopist examines and evaluates the condition of the inner surface (mucosa) of the large intestine using a special endoscope probe.
• X-ray of the organs of the upper gastrointestinal tract is prescribed for suspected peptic ulcer, neoplasms of various types, protrusion of the wall of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. With the help of radiography, you can evaluate the shape and size of the stomach and its departments, the position and functional state of the sphincters (circular muscles in the thickness of the stomach wall) and much more.
• Irrigoscopy – x-ray examination of the colon with retrograde injection of a radiopaque preparation. It is prescribed for the diagnosis of developmental anomalies and intestinal diseases.
• Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging , abdominal computed tomography.

An appropriate examination and diagnosis allows the general practitioner and (or) gastroenterologist to prescribe adequate treatment for abdominal pain, and the patient avoids possible complications, unnecessary costs and maintains a good quality of life, and often life itself.

Abdominal pain – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of abdominal pain

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Contents

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

The article was checked by a gastroenterologist, endoscopist Kondrashova E.A. is for general informational purposes and does not replace expert advice.
For recommendations on diagnosis and treatment, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

At the Clinical Hospital on Yauza, they will quickly identify the cause of abdominal pain and carry out successful treatment. At your service are qualified doctors – consultants of various profiles, surgeons and gastroenterologists on a single base; modern examination technologies and expert diagnostic equipment (endoscopy, endo-ultrasound, CT and MRI, all laboratory diagnostics, etc. ). An individual and comprehensive approach to each patient ensures the high efficiency of conservative and surgical treatment of the entire spectrum of diseases accompanied by abdominal pain.

The localization of pain in the abdomen does not always directly indicate the diseased organ. Pain in many diseases of the digestive system can spread to other areas of the abdomen.

Acute pain in the abdomen, causing the patient to suffer, requires quick decisions, as it may indicate a “catastrophe in the abdominal cavity”, that is, a condition requiring immediate surgical intervention.

Main causes of abdominal pain

Acute abdominal pain

• Rapid enlargement of an organ, e.g. in acute inflammation (acute pancreatitis, appendicitis), obstruction of ducts (e.g. bile ducts) or bowel obstruction,
• damage to the integrity of an organ, for example, perforation of a stomach ulcer,
• Irritation of the peritoneum, for example, by intestinal contents in case of a “burst” appendicitis,
• acute insufficiency of local blood supply, for example, in thrombosis of the vessels feeding the intestines.

Chronic abdominal pain

• Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT – gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, etc.)
• Gastrointestinal motility disorders, e.g. biliary dyskinesia,
• obstruction of the passage of intestinal contents, for example, with torsion of intestinal loops, strangulated hernia,
• irradiation of pain in the abdomen in gynecological pathology (for example, with adnexitis), diseases of the urinary system (for example, with the movement of kidney stones), with myocardial infarction, even with pleurisy and pneumonia.

Diagnostics for abdominal pain

• 1. Specialist consultation. For acute pain – a surgeon, for chronic pain – a gastroenterologist. If necessary, consultants of other specialties may be involved.
• 2. Laboratory diagnostics. It is planned by the consultant doctor depending on the direction of the diagnostic search. A full range of necessary tests is available in our hospital – from a general blood test to fine biochemical and immunological blood tests, studies of natural secrets (feces, urine, gastric juice, etc.).
• 3. Instrumental diagnosis:
  • endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, etc.),
  • ultrasound diagnostics, combined methods – endo-ultrasound,
  • X-ray diagnostics, CT (including virtual colonoscopy) and MRI
  • diagnostic surgery – diagnostic laparoscopy.

Abdominal pain, especially if it occurs for the first time, may indicate a serious illness. Before consulting a doctor, you must refrain from taking painkillers!

Treatment of diseases manifested by abdominal pain

Based on the results of the diagnosis, the consultant doctor clarifies the diagnosis and develops a comprehensive treatment plan, which may include:

• drug therapy,
• diet food,
• modern methods, for example, hemocorrection in case of autoimmune pathology (autoimmune hepatitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis),
• surgical care of any volume, including minimally invasive endoscopic, laparoscopic surgeries, etc.

If you are concerned about abdominal pain, contact the Yauza Clinical Hospital. Competent specialists will provide you with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment within the optimal time frame.

Prices for services you can see in the price list or check by phone listed on the site.

Sources

1

Duisenbayeva A.Zh. Innovative method in gastroenterology [Electronic resource] // Bulletin of the Kazakh National Medical University. 2013.

2

Dzharbusynova B.B. Psychosomatic aspects in gastroenterology [Electronic resource] // Bulletin of the Kazakh National Medical University. 2014.

3

Belousov S.S., Muratov S.V., Akhmad A.M. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and duodenogastric reflux // NGMA. 2005.

4

Kalinina A.V., Khazanova A.I. Gastroenterology and hepatology: diagnosis and treatment: a guide for physicians // M.: Miklosh. 2007.

5

Ivashkin V.