/ Abdominal Pain

ABDOMINAL PAIN

Abdominal pain is the pain or discomfort that occurs in the region below the ribs and abode the pelvis. Abdominal pain is a term that describes pain originating from organs in the abdominal cavity. These organs include: stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, spleen, gallbladder & pancreas.

The abdominal pain can be non specific and may be due to a wide range of causes. Most causes are easily identifiable & treatable. However, in certain cases, pain in the abdomen can be a symptom of some serious illness.

Types of Abdominal Pain:

There are three main types of abdominal pain. These include:

• Localised Pain: This is restricted to one particular area of the abdomen. It is generally caused by problems in a particular organ.
• Cramp Like Pain is generally associated with constipation, diarrhea, bloating. In women, it occurs due to menstruation, miscarriage or other problems associated with female reproductive organs
• Colicky Pain feels like muscle spasms and indicates more severe conditions such as kidney stones

Acute Vs Chronic Abdominal Pain

Acute pain is severe & starts suddenly. In most cases, underlying cause of acute abdominal pain is life threatening and may require surgical intervention. In Chronic abdominal pain, the patient may experience pain continuously or intermittently & lasts for 6 months or more. Chronic pain is generally due to a problem in any of the organs in the abdomen.

Causes of Abdominal Pain:

There are many causes of abdominal pain. The major ones are infection, abnormal growths, inflammation, Obstruction & intestinal disorders. Other common causes

• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Virus
• Menstrual Cramps
• Gas
• Food Poisoning
• Food Allergies

Certain digestive disorders too can cause chronic abdominal pain. These include:

• GERD
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease
• Appendicitis
• Gastritis
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Pregnancy Related problems
• Gallbladder stones
• Kidney infection

How is the cause diagnosed?

In order to make a right diagnosis, the type, locations, intensity & duration of pain have to be considered. The following information would be useful for a doctor to diagnose the root cause of the pain.

What does the pain feel like?

The pain can be dull, sharp, stabbing, or twisting. The kind of pain felt in each disorder may be different

How long does it last?

Pain can persist for hours or can last only a few minutes. In some cases, the pain is severe for a short period & decreases in intensity after a while.

Are there any events which trigger pain?

The pain may worsen after meals and can get better after a bowel movements or vomiting.

Where is the pain located?

Knowing the location of the pain can help the doctor diagnose the cause:

• Pain in the Upper Left part of the abdomen could imply that the patient may be having an Enlarged Spleen
• Pain in the Upper right part of the abdomen points towards hepatitis or gallbladder disease
• Pain in the lower left side indicates ovarian cysts
• Pain in the lower right could mean appendicitis or problems in the right ovary
• Pain in upper abdomen indicate gastritis, pancreatitis or ulcers
• Pain in the lower abdomen point towards urinary tract infections or gynecologic disorders such as fibroids.

The doctor would first physically evaluate you to check for inflammation and tenderness. Based on the physical evaluation, the location of pain & its severity the doctor will determine which tests to order.

The patient may be recommended to go for blood tests along with stool & urine tests to identify bacterial, viral or parasitic infections if any.

Imaging tests help in viewing the organs, tissues & other structures in the abdomen. They help detect inflammation, fractures, ruptures or tumours. These tests include X rays, MRI scans & Ultrasound.

Other Tests:

• Colonoscopy to detect any abnormalities in the colon or small intestines
• Endoscopy to detect inflammation in the oesophagus & the stomach
• Upper GI Xray to check for blockages, ulcers or growths in the stomach

How can abdominal pain be prevented?

The risk of developing pain in the abdomen can be minimised with the help of the following:

• Maintain a healthy diet
• Keep yourself hydrated
• Have a workout routine
• Eat smaller meals