Abdominal Pain

Also called: Bellyache

Your abdomen extends from below your chest to your groin. Some people call it the stomach, but your abdomen contains many other important organs. Pain in the abdomen can come from any one of them. The pain may start somewhere else, such as your chest. Severe pain doesn't always mean a serious problem. Nor does mild pain mean a problem is not serious.

Call your healthcare provider if mild pain lasts a week or more or if you have pain with other symptoms. Get medical help immediately if

  • You have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharp
  • You also have pain in your chest, neck or shoulder
  • You're vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
  • Your abdomen is stiff, hard and tender to touch
  • You can't move your bowels, especially if you're also vomiting

Symptoms of Abdominal Pain

The following features are indicative of Abdominal Pain:
  • pain
  • vomiting blood
  • bloody stools
  • abdomen is tender to touch

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Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

The following are the most common causes of Abdominal Pain:
  • gastroenteritis
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • stomach inflammation
  • urinary tract problems
  • constipation

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain

The following are the less common causes of Abdominal Pain:
  • pancreas inflammation
  • cholecystitis
  • cancer
  • diverticulitis
  • appendicitis
  • mesenteric ischemia
  • abdominal aortic aneurysms

Risk Factors for Abdominal Pain

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Abdominal Pain:
  • fatigue
  • anxiety
  • psychological distress
  • low back pain
  • illness behaviour

Prevention of Abdominal Pain

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Abdominal Pain. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • drink plenty of fluids
  • eat small meals frequently
  • eat high-fiber foods

Occurrence of Abdominal Pain

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Abdominal Pain cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Abdominal Pain can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Abdominal Pain can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Abdominal Pain:
  • Urinalysis: To diagnose dysuria, hematuria, or flank pain
  • Complete blood count test: To detect infection or blood loss
  • Amylase and Lipase: To measure the levels of amylase and lipase
  • Pregnancy test: To check either women is pregnant or not
  • Liver function test: To diagnose right upper quadrant pain
  • Radionuclide imaging: To detect acute cholecystitis
  • Electrocardiograph: To check the activity of heart
  • Computed tomography: To diagnose acute right lower quadrant pain

Doctor for Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Abdominal Pain:
  • Gastroenterologist

Complications of Abdominal Pain if untreated

Yes, Abdominal Pain causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Abdominal Pain is left untreated:
  • acute abdominal pain

Self-care for Abdominal Pain

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Abdominal Pain:
  • Drink plenty of fluids: Sip water or other clear fluids everyday
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid certain medicines: Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin and narcotic pain pills without consulting your doctor

Time for Treatment of Abdominal Pain

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Abdominal Pain to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • More than 1 year

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Abdominal Pain.

Related Topics

Indigestion
Pain
Pelvic Pain

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