What is Abdominal Pain?
Commonly used terms for Pain in abdomen include tummy pain, tummy ache, stomach ache and stomach pain. Most of the time pain in the abdomen is mild and because of distension of stomach or intestines with food or air. Severe abdominal pain may need the visit to a doctor/general surgeon. Sometimes immediate hospital admission may be required such as acute appendicitis, acute pancreatitis. Some cases are life-threatening and require urgent diagnosis and surgery.
Causes of Abdominal Pain
- Most of the time causes involve Gastrointestinal, Urinary or reproductive system.
- Abdominal pain can arise from skin/muscles of abdomen or from inside organs such as stomach, small intestine, colon, Apendix, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, Kidney and spleen.
- Occasionally, problems in lower lungs, kidneys, uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain called referred pain.
- Abdominal pain may be caused by inflammation (for example, appendicitis, by stretching of an organ (for example, obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gall stones, or by loss of the supply of blood to an organ (for example, ischemic colitis).
- Pain may be functional such as in irritable bowel syndrome.
Causes of Acute Abdomen
01
Appendicitis
02
Gallstones
03
Pancreatitis
04
Hernia
05
Kidney Stones
06
Diverticulitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain and vomiting that gradually get worse over 6-24 hours. Appendicits
pain is initially felt in the centre of the abdomen, and later moves to become a sharper pain in the right lower abdomen. Some people may have less typical symptoms. Read Appendicitis for more details
Hernia
Symptom may be pain with swelling or lump in abdomen, shows fluctuation in severity in relation to the size, such as it becomes more while straining, coughing when swelling becomes prominent. If hernia is complicated by obstruction /strangulation pain may be severe requiring hospitalization and surgery. Read More About Hernia
Diverticulties
Diverticulitis causes pain in the left lower abdomen where most colonic diverticulitis are located.
Gallstones
Many people with gallstones have no symptoms and these stones are called “silent stones.” Symptom may be severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, called biliary colic. Usually to the right upper abdomen just below the ribs. Sometimes less severe but niggly pain occur now and then, particularly after a fatty meal when the gallbladder contracts most. Read Gall Stone for more information
Kidney Stones
Pain that start at back (loin) and going around the side of abdomen to groin, may be a kidney stone.
The pain is severe and comes and goes. This is called renal colic. There may be blood in. Read Kidney Stone for more information
The pain is severe and comes and goes. This is called renal colic. There may be blood in. Read Kidney Stone for more information
Pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis typically causes severe, steady pain in the upper abdomen and upper back. Read more about Pancreatitis
How is the Cause of Abdominal Pain Diagnosed?
The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed by relying on:
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- Thorough History of Patient-characteristics of the pain is most important like where is pain, what type, duration of pain, what aggravates it and associated symptoms.
- Examination ofabdomen by Surgical Gastroenterologist/GI surgeon/General Surgeon.
- Investigations–Blood tests, radiological, and endoscopic tests, Laparoscopic examination.
Investigation for the Pain in Abdomen
While the history and physical examination are vitally important in determining the cause of abdominal pain, testing often is necessary to determine the cause.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Tests such as the CBC (complete Blood Count), Liver Enzymes(SGOT and SGPT), Pancreatic Enzymes (Amylase and lipase), Urine examination and stool examination are frequently performed in the evaluation of abdominal pain.
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An elevated white count suggests infection (as with appendicitis, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, or colitis)
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Elevated Amylase and lipase enzymes suggest pancreatitis.
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With Gallstone Liver enzymes may be elevated
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Kidney stone may have Blood in the urine
Plain X-rays of the abdomen
Abdominal ultrasonography
CT Scan or MRI
Capsule Endoscopy
Endoscopic Procedures
Surgery
Why Can Diagnosis of the Cause of Abdominal Pain be Difficult?
The diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain is challenging because the characteristics of the pain may be a typical, tests are not always abnormal, diseases causing pain may mimic each other, and the characteristics of the pain may change over time.
Treatment of Abdominal Pain
Because Abdominal Pain may be caused by several reasons; most important is to diagnose cause of the pain. Some causes are easily treated by simple medicines like wind (gas) and simple acidity can be relieved by antacids, infection can be treated by antibiotics.
However if pain is severe visit to a doctor/general surgeon is required to diagnose the proper cause of pain in abdomen. Sometimes immediate hospital admission may be required such as acute appendicitis, acute pancreatitis. Some cases of abdominal pain are life threatening and require urgent diagnosis, urgent supportive measures and surgery.
Our Specialist
Dr. Nitish Jhawar
M.S., FMAS, FIAGES, FALS, FACRSI
Fellow Advance Laparoscopic Surgery
Fellow Colorectal Surgery USA
Senior Laparoscopic & Colorectal Surgeon
Phone No: +91 9322 229 159
Email Id: info@neoalta.com
