Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. 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. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs above, the pelvic bone below, and the flanks on each side. Abdominal pain is caused by inflammation (e.g., appendicitis, diverticulitis), by stretching or distention of an organ (e.g., obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gallstones, swelling of the liver with hepatitis), or by loss of the supply of blood to an organ (e.g., ischemic colitis). Abdominal pain can be acute and sudden in onset, or the pain can be chronic and longstanding.
Abdominal pain can be sharp, dull, stabbing, cramplike, knifelike, twisting, or boring. Many other types of pain are possible. The causes of abdominal pain depend on sex and age of the patient. Abdominal pain may be minor and of no great significance, or it can reflect a major problem involving one of the organs in the abdomen. A woman may have a twisted ovarian cyst while a man may have testicular torsion with a twisted testis. Treatment depends on the cause. The key is knowing when it's just a minor problem like a mild stomach ache or when it's something worse. Pain that persists can be a sign of a medical condition or illness. Very severe abdominal pain usually requires immediate medical care.
Causes of Abdominal pain
Possible causes include:
1. Excessive gas 2. Lactose intolerance 3. Giardia Lamblia 4. Hernia 5. Heartburn or indigestion 6. Diverticular disease, including inflammation of small pouches that form in the large intestines 7. Urinary tract infections 8. Ovarian Cysts 9. Pancreatic Cancer
Symptoms of Abdominal pain
In a woman who might be pregnant: severe pain that arises suddenly in the lower right or lower left abdomen, usually without vomiting or fever. Some people have constipation, while others have frequent loose stools, often with an urgent need to move the bowels and still others experience alternating constipation and diarrhea. Symptoms may vary from person to person. Severe pain that starts in the upper abdomen and often spreads to the sides and the back. The pain may flare up soon after a large meal, or six to 12 hours after an episode of heavy drinking.
Treatment of Abdominal pain
Medications are an important part of relieving symptoms. Activated charcoal capsules also may help. If the pain is high up in your abdomen and occurs after meals, antacids may provide some relief, especially if you feel heartburn or indigestion. Avoid citrus, high-fat foods, fried or greasy foods, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. Your doctor may suggest fiber supplements or occasional laxatives for constipation, as well as medicines to decrease diarrhea, tranquilizers to calm you, or drugs that control colon muscle spasms to reduce abdominal pain. Over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums, Maalox, or Pepto-Bismol, also can reduce some types of abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. 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. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs above, the pelvic bone below, and the flanks on each side. Abdominal pain can be acute and sudden in onset, or the pain can be chronic and longstanding.
Causes of Abdominal Pain
Most women experience some sort of abdominal pain during pregnancy. This is completely normal, especially in the beginning stages during pregnancy. These abdominals pains can are sometimes confused as cramps from menstruation. However, abdominal pain during pregnancy is sometimes an indicator of a more dangerous health issue.
The main cause of abdominal is bacterial infection which can spread in the abdomen from somewhere else. For example if a person has a perforated bowel or appendix bacteria can get into the abdominal cavity,or even,worse,if a person suffers from perforated stomach there can be a leak of acid into the abdominal cavity.
Abdominal pain is caused by inflammation (e.g., appendicitis, diverticulitis), by stretching or distention of an organ (e.g., obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gallstones, swelling of the liver with hepatitis), or by loss of the supply of blood to an organ (e.g., ischemic colitis). Abdominal pain can be acute and sudden in onset, or the pain can be chronic and longstanding.
Some patients with pain disorder benefit from group therapy or support groups, particularly if their social network has been limited by their pain symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also used sometimes to treat pain disorder.
Symptoms of Abdominal Pain
The first symptom is abdominal pain. At the initial stage, pain can be eased with analgesics, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Treatment can include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, which are aimed at stopping the spread of the disease and at alleviating the pain.
Patients with chronic lower back pain caused by lower back muscles in spasm results in patients having difficulty in straightening the spine. In such a situation, the abdominal wall muscles have less opposition and become tight and shortened aggravating the forward bent posture.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the gut. It is believe that up to 15% of the population suffer from it once during their lifetime. The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown, although food sensitivities and allergies, stress, bowel infection, bowel inflammation and sensitive bowel muscles could all be contributing factors that trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms off.
Common abdominal symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. An abdominal lump or swelling may be present. Such a lump or swelling may obstruct the bowel, causing constipation. Fluid may collect in the abdominal cavity, causing distension and bloating. This collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity is called ascites, and is also seen in people with liver disease. The fluid is often drained to relieve symptoms of bloating and distension; excessive fluid collection may hamper normal breathing.
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