Abdominal Pain

                  
        Abdominal Pain

 

 

Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs and diaphragm above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (such as the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity. Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas.

Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to, but not within, the abdominal cavity. For example, conditions of the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain. On the other hand, it also is possible for pain from organs within the abdomen to be felt outside of the abdomen. For example, the pain of pancreatic inflammation may be felt in the back. These latter types of pain are called "referred" pain because the pain does not originate in the location that it is felt. Rather, the cause of the pain is located away from where it is felt.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain is a symptom. It may mean that the person has a medical problem that needs treatment.

Abdominal pain may go along with other symptoms. Try to keep track of the symptoms, because this will help the health care practitioner's find the cause of the person's pain.

Important features of abdominal pain include pain severity, character, timing, location, and the presence of associated symptoms. Symptoms that commonly occur with abdominal pain include back pain, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, cough, and breathing difficulty.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call or see a health care practitioner if the affected person has any of the following:

Abdominal pain that lasts more than six hours or continues to worsen

Pain that stops the person from eating

Pain accompanied by vomiting more than three or four times

Pain that worsens when the person tries to move around

Pain that starts all over, but settles into one area, especially the right lower abdomen

Pain that wakes the person up at night

• Pain with vaginal bleeding or pregnancy, even if the person only thinks she might be pregnant
• Pain accompanied by fever over 33.3 C
• Pain along with inability to urinate, move the bowels, or pass gas

Any other pain that feels different from a simple stomach ache

Any other pain that alarms the person, or concerns them in any way

If the person has any of the following, or cannot reach their health care practitioner, go to a hospital emergency department:

The "worst pain of your life" or very severe pain

Pain so bad the affected person passes out or almost passes out

Pain so bad the affected person cannot move

Pain and vomiting blood, or any vomiting that lasts more than six hours

Pain and no bowel movement for more than three days

Pain the person thinks might be in their chest, but they aren't sure

Pain that seems to come from the person's testicles

Self-Care at Home

Abdominal pain without fever, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, passing out, chest pain, or other serious symptoms often get better without special treatment.

If the pain persists or if the person believes the pain may represent a serious problem, they should see a health care practitioner.

A heating pad or soaking in a tub of warm water may ease the person's pain.

Over-the-counter antacids, Omeparzole, Pantoprazole also can reduce some types of abdominal pain. Activated charcoal capsules also may help.