Best Abdominal Pain

What causes abdominal pain?

Lots of different things can cause abdominal pain. When pain is less severe, it can be due to something like a virus or a stomach inflammation (called "gastritis").

Acute pain that is more severe can be caused by problems with 1 or more organs in the abdomen. Organs in the abdomen can be part of the digestive, urinary, or reproductive systems.

Conditions that affect organs in the chest or genital area can also cause pain. Even though these organs aren't in the abdomen, people might still have abdominal pain.

Common causes of acute abdominal pain in adults include:

 

• Appendicitis – Appendicitis is the term for when the appendix (a long, thin pouch that hangs down from the large intestine) gets infected and inflamed.
• Diverticulitis – Diverticulitis is an infection that develops in small pouches that can form in the intestine. This is common in older people.
• Gallstones – Gallstones are small stones that form inside an organ called the gallbladder, which stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat.
• Abscess – An abscess is a collection of pus. An abscess can form in the abdomen, typically near the intestine.
• Kidney stones – Kidney stones can form when salts and minerals that are normally in the urine build up and harden. They can cause pain when they pass through the ureters, which are the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder.
• Bowel perforation – This is a hole in the bowel wall.
• Perforated ulcer – This is a hole in the wall of the stomach or intestine.
• Pancreatitis – This is the term for when the pancreas gets inflamed.
• Ruptured cyst in the ovary – Cysts in the ovary are fluid-filled sacs that can form in some women. They sometimes rupture, which means that they break open and spill out.
• Ectopic pregnancy – An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus.

 

Should I see a doctor or nurse?

Yes. If you have sudden or severe abdominal pain, call your doctor or nurse or go to the hospital right away. Depending on the cause of your pain, you might need immediate treatment.

 

Will I need tests?

Probably. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, including where your pain is and what it feels like. The location of the pain can be an important clue to the cause.

 

Your doctor will ask about your current and past medical conditions, and do a physical exam. They might do repeat exams over time to follow your symptoms.

 

Your doctor will decide which tests you should have based on your symptoms and individual situation. The tests might include:

 

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• X-rays
• An ultrasound, CT scan, or other imaging test – Imaging tests creates pictures of the inside of the body.

 

How is abdominal pain treated?

Treatment depends on what's causing the pain. It might include 1 or more of the following:

 

• Fluids given by IV
• Pain medicines
• Antibiotic medicines to treat an infection
• Other medicines to treat other medical conditions
• Surgery