Abdominal pain is any pain or discomfort that occurs between the lower chest and the groin. Commonly referred to as the “belly,” the abdomen contains the stomach, intestines (small and large bowel), appendix, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, esophagus, and numerous blood vessels. Abdominal pain may be generalized occurring throughout most of the abdomen or it may be felt in a small area of the belly.
Abdominal pain is a symptom of a wide variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders and conditions. Abdominal pain can occur from indigestion, stress, infection, gallstones, inflammation, intestinal obstruction, peptic ulcer, cancer, and as a side effect of medication.
Depending on the cause, abdominal pain can last briefly, such as indigestion from eating rich food. Abdominal pain may last for a longer period of time, such as chronic pancreatitis, stomach cancer, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Long-term abdominal pain may be continuous or occur sporadically.
People may describe abdominal pain as mild to severe, acute, ongoing, stabbing or cramp-like. While most people will experience abdomen pain in their lifetime, it is rarely caused by a serious medical problem.
Digestive symptoms
Abdominal pain may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive tract including:
Other symptoms that may occur along with abdominal pain
Abdominal pain may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Tenderness in the belly with touch
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases,abdominal pain may accompany symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Symptoms that may indicate a serious or life-threatening condition include:
- Fainting or change in level of consciousness or lethargy
- High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Pulsating mass in abdomen
- Rapid pulse or rapid breathing
- Vomiting blood or black material (resembling coffee grounds)
CAUSES OF ABDOMINAL PAIN
Common causes of abdominal pain often involve the digestive system.Relatively harmless gastrointestinal conditions include indigestion, gas and constipation. Stress and anxiety can also cause general abdominal pain. Sometimes children say they have a stomachache because they are trying to avoid a stressful or frightening situation, such as, trying to miss school to avoid issues with peers or friends.
However, it is always important to consider and rule out the possibility of physical causes, as abdominal pain can be from infection, malignancy, inflammation, trauma, obstruction, and other abnormal processes.
Life-threatening conditions, such as trauma, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and a bleeding peptic ulcer can cause abdominal pain and should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Conditions involving other body systems, such as the endocrine, nervous, reproductive, and urinary systems, can also cause abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain may arise from problems in the digestive tract including:
- Appendicitis: One may experience early signs of appendicitis in the center of the abdomen, but the telltale sign is lower right abdominal pain and fever. Appendicitis is often a medical emergency because an inflamed and infected appendix can rupture and spread the infection.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: Marked by stomach pain, spasms and swelling, constipation, vomiting, bloating and nausea, a bowel obstruction can lead to intestinal tearing and infection if not treated promptly.
- Celiac disease: One may experience abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. There is no cure for celiac disease a chronic, immune-mediated condition that causes your body to overreact to gluten and damages the lining of the small intestine but eliminating gluten from your diet is a must.
- Colitis: An infection or inflammation of any part of your colon. Colitis is less severe than ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel syndrome because UC is a chronic, lifelong condition.
- Colorectal cancer: An uncommon, but possible cause of abdominal pain. Symptoms may also include fatigue, blood in stool, a change in bowel habits, bloating, and gas.
- Constipation: A very common condition in which one may not have a bowel movement as frequently as is normal for you, or it may be difficult to pass stool. For mild constipation, home treatments include drinking prune juice, a lot of water, and a taking stool softener.
- Diverticulitis: Typically felt in the lower left side, diverticulitis abdominal pain can be severe and associated with fever, chills, nausea, and possibly bloody stool. See a doctor for signs of diverticulitis, as complications include abscess and perforation.
- Food intolerances or allergies: Food allergies are an immune response, which can cause a range of symptoms throughout the body; food intolerance symptoms, in contrast, are typically localized and limited to the digestive tract. Allergy tests and elimination diets can help narrow down the cause of abdominal pain and other symptoms, such as asthma.
- Food poisoning: Telltale signs and symptoms of food poisoning include abdominal pain or cramps (which can be severe), diarrhea, and vomiting; fever, weakness, and skin symptoms are possible. Most cases are mild and do not require medical treatment other than preventing dehydration.
- Gallstones: Upper-right abdominal pain is a classic sign of gallstones, especially after eating a meal. Medication may dissolve small gallstones, but gallbladder removal is the most common treatment.
- Gas:Our stomach and intestines produce gas (flatus) as they break down food. Some people and some types of foods produce more gas than others. Symptoms of gas include pain, fullness (bloating), abdominal noise, burping, and passing gas (flatulence). Gas is normal, but if it is bothersome, you can try over-the-counter antacids or Beano, which helps break down the sugars causing gas. An elimination diet can help you identify problem foods.
- Gastritis and viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu): With gastritis, inflammation of the stomach lining can cause central and lower abdominal pain along with nausea and vomiting. Gastritis may resolve on its own depending on the underlying cause. Stomach flu usually lasts 24 to 48 hours, but non-infectious gastritis can take longer to resolve. There is no specific stomach flu treatment. Drink watered-down sports drinks (no caffeine), broth, or an oral rehydration solution to prevent dehydration. Avoid eating for a day to help settle your stomach.
- Indigestion: Symptoms include abdominal pain and a burning sensation, heartburn, fullness, and belching. You may feel indigestion symptoms in the upper abdomen more than lower. Indigestion home remedies overlap with those for gas, including antacids and dietary changes. Acid reducers may be necessary for frequent or chronic indigestion and heartburn, as well as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis): IBD is a chronic condition characterized by abdominal cramping, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. Symptoms may come and go. Prescription medicines can calm symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating and cramping, along with constipation or diarrhea. IBS is a common condition that can be managed with medications and some diet modifications.
- Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure): At first, symptoms may be mistaken for indigestion or stomach flu, but liver disease symptoms will linger and one may also experience jaundice, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Some liver conditions resolve on their own; for others, treatment depends on the cause.
- Pancreatitis: Typically felt as severe, cramp-like pain in the upper and center part of abdomen that may radiate to the back on the left or right side. Fever, nausea and jaundice are also possible. Pancreatitis treatment typically involves intravenous antibiotics and other procedures to prevent complications.
- Peptic ulcer: Occurring in the stomach or duodenum (beginning of small intestine), peptic ulcers can cause severe abdominal pain. One may also experience a burning sensation, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Other causes of abdominal pain
Abdominal pain can also be caused by problems in body systems other than the digestive tract including:
- Abdominal trauma: Damage of the organs or blood vessels within the abdomen can result in internal bleeding, even if there is no sign of trauma from the outside. Always seek professional medical care after an accident or injury from blunt force or an explosion to rule out internal damage.
- Abdominal tumor or mass: Ranging from a simple cyst to cancer, an abdominal mass causing pain and other symptoms requires prompt medical attention to diagnose and treat the problem.
- Endometriosis: A condition in which the uterine lining grows abnormally outside the uterus. Symptoms include lower back and abdominal pain during and after your period, cramps, fatigue, and heavy bleeding. Medication can help relieve endometriosis symptoms; surgery is necessary in some cases.
- Hernia: A painful lump is one sign of an abdominal hernia. A hernia causing problems in the lower abdomen is usually an inguinal hernia. A painful hernia may involve surgical repair.
- Kidney disease: Symptoms vary widely depending on the cause; kidney stone pain is usually severe and felt in the side of the abdomen and moves into the lower abdomen and groin. Treatment also depends on the cause.
- Medication side effect: Examples include anti-cancer drugs, antibiotics, and sodium phosphate.
- Ovarian cyst: Although they do not often cause symptoms, ovarian cysts symptoms include lower abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, pain with bowel movements, and possible changes in menstruation. See a gynecologist for signs of ovarian cysts.
- Prostatitis: Men with prostatitis may experience pain with bowel movements, testicular pain, and urinary retention in addition to abdominal pain. Prostatitis pain can be severe; see a healthcare professional for prostatitis symptoms. Prescription antibiotics can treat bacterial prostatitis.
- Sexually transmitted diseases: Pain from STDs typically involves the lower abdomen, or pelvic region, and may occur with intercourse. Along with pelvic pain, symptoms range from skin symptoms to painful urination to vaginal or penile discharge. Contact a healthcare professional if you suspect an STD.
- Shingles: This viral infection begins in nerves affecting one side of the body, and the abdominal area is a classic starting point. Before the shingles rash erupts, one may experience a painful tingling sensation in a band along the side of our abdomen.
- Spleen (enlarged spleen): An enlarged spleen may cause left upper abdominal pain and possibly left shoulder pain, as well as fatigue, lack of energy, easy bleeding, and feeling full after eating a small amount. Seek prompt medical care for these symptoms.
- Toxic exposures: Toxic chemicals, poisonous plants, and poisonous insect bites can cause abdominal pain and many other symptoms involving the skin, lungs, brain and nerves.
- Urinary tract infection: In addition to pain in the lower belly, you’ll likely experience pain or burning with urination, smelly urine, and frequent urge to urinate (but you may not be able to).
- Uterine fibroids: These noncancerous growths in and around the uterus may not cause symptoms, but in some women they are very painful. Treatments include hormone therapy and surgery.
Life-threatening causes of abdominal pain
In some cases, abdominal pain may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (specifically, aortic dissection)
- Acute congestive heart failure
- Ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity)
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (bleeding)
- Occlusion, embolism, or thrombosis of the mesenteric artery
- Pulmonary embolism, if pain on upper-left or upper-right side
Location of abdominal pain guide
The location of abdominal pain (and other accompanying symptoms) can help diagnose its cause. Pain concentrated in a specific area is more likely than generalized pain to be caused by a specific organ, such as the appendix for lower right-side abdominal pain. Generalized and localized pain may be constant or may come and go in waves.
Causes of generalized pain, felt over more than half of the abdomen/belly area, include (but are not limited to):
- Food allergy, intolerance, sensitivity or poisoning
- Indigestion (upset stomach, stomachache)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
The upper abdomen includes the stomach, liver, spleen, part of the pancreas, gallbladder, parts of the small intestine, and parts of the large intestine (colon). Upper abdominal pain causes include:
- Abdominal abscess or mass
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Bowel diseases, including cancer, inflammation, infection or obstruction
- Gallbladder disease or stones
- Gastritis and stomach flu
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and indigestion
- Heart attack (upper left-sided abdominal pain)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney stones or infection
- Liver disease, such as hepatitis
The lower abdomen includes the appendix (lower-right side), large intestine, parts of the urinary tract, and the reproductive organs. Lower abdominal pain causes may overlap with those of pelvic pain. Lower abdominal pain causes include:
- Bowel diseases, including cancer, inflammation, infection or obstruction
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Left side of abdomen pain
The left side of the abdomen includes the spleen, pancreas, and left lobe of liver, part of the stomach, parts of the urinary tract (e.g., left kidney and ureter) and reproductive tract (e.g., left ovary), parts of the small intestine/bowel, and the sigmoid colon and left descending colon. Left side abdominal pain causes include:
- Bowel diseases, including cancer, inflammation, infection or obstruction
Right side of abdomen pain
The right side of the abdomen includes the appendix (lower-right side), gallbladder,the large, right lobe of the liver, part of the stomach,parts of the urinary tract (e.g., right kidney and ureter) and reproductive tract (e.g., right ovary),parts of the small intestine/bowel; and right side of colon.
- Bowel diseases, including cancer, inflammation, infection or obstruction
- Gallstones and other gallbladder conditions
Homeopathic Treatment of Abdominal Pain
MAGNESIA PHOSPHORICA
Useful medicine for abdominal pain Severe with cramping pain in abdominal muscles due to indigestion causing flatulence or constipation, gas in bowel loop compelling patient to bend double with eructation of gases, patient has fullness and distention of abdomen patient has to the loosens the belt or clothing around belly and walk with frequent release flatus relieved by rubbing with pressure and warmth.
NATRUM PHOSPHORICA complaints due to hyperacidity burning pain in abdomen and sour eructation , good remedy for Gastro-oesophageal-reflux disorder, patient has sensation of some lump type obstruction in throat, good remedy for flatulent colic during jaundice.
CARBO VEGETABILIS Its one of the best homoeopathy emergeny life saving remedies , can be used from minor to severe conditions ; typically suited to fat sluggish and lazy persons with weak vital force and immunity; typically shows singns of sluggish circulation causing hypoxic condition; also it affects the blood vessels causing ecchymosis and mucosal heamorrhage; stagnant circulation causing sepsis gangrene patient goes into septic shock with cyanosed appearance blueness of face and exretmities , very cold body but hot head; very good remedy for abdominal affections with or without infections Contractions from chest to abdomen; all gone empty sensation in abdomen not relieved after food, cramps in abdomen compelling patient to bend double, pain in abdomen due to slow sluggish digestion causing food to putrify, pain in abdomen and septicemia due to strangulated hernia.pain aggravates by lifting weight,exterme fetid flatulence with Gastro-oesophageal-reflux disorder distentension and fullness of abdomen pt has to loosen belt and clothes around waist(Mag phos); aggravation 30 minutes after meals even with the lightest mealor food, sour rancid belching, severe burning pain in epigastrium which is sensitive to touch ; general hyperacidity and flatulence due to indigestion ; pt has aversion to food in general esp heavy oily food, gastric disturbance triggers asthmatic affections. pain due to ulcers fistula in Gastro-intestinal tract. a good remedy in cholera typhoid liver affections gengrene hernia appendicitis
PLUMBUM METALLICUM constrictive sensation in internal organs,contracting and boring pain in abdomen, sensation as if whole abdominal wall is pulled backwards and tied to spine causing pressure tightness of abdomen and radiating pain, abdominal pain due to lead poisoning painter’s colic, pain in abdomen due to kidney ailments like acute nephritis etc. accumulation of gasses in bowel loop which doesnt pass off causing abdominal pain.
CAULLOPHYLUM False labour pains, Spasmodic pain of abdomen due to gastric disturbances.
COLOCYNTHIS cutting agonising pain in abdomen, boring sensation as if stone were ground together in abdomen,
MAGNESIA CARBONICA typically suited to individuals having hyperacidity and excessive secretion of digestive juices and mucous from gastro-intestinal tract,sour body odour , broken down and worn-out women during climecteric age having uterine affections; this individuals are oversensitive to external impressions like noise touch bright lights etc,typically ailments from blows , shock, brain fag, this constitutional types have tendency towards constipation; Pain in abdomen with Rumbling and Gurgling within very heavy downward dragging sensation towards right illiac fossa and pelvis, colicky gripping pain preceeds stools with severe tenesmus in constipation or when these subjects contract diarrhoea or dysentry.
BRYONIA ALBA typically suited to individual having tall dark robust lean and strong muscle fibre; patients having right sided complaints, Patient has stitching and tearing pain worse by slightest motion making patient too irritable due to pain , pt wants to rest complately due to it , burning, stitching, tearing, pressing pain in epigastrium as if a heavy stone was in the pit of the stomach, region to tender and sensitive to touch or slightest motion even on breathing for that purpose, severe constipation with stitching tearing pain in abdomen with dry hard knotty large stools difficult to pass.e.t.c
