Abdominal Pain: Introduction

Abdominal pain is any type of pain or discomfort that occurs in any area from the lower chest to the groin. Abdominal pain is symptom of a wide variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders and conditions. Abdominal pain can result from infection, malignancy, inflammation, trauma, obstruction and other abnormal processes.

Abdominal pain can occur in any age group or population. Abdominal pain can be due to a mild condition, such as mild indigestion or stress. Abdominal pain can also happen in a moderate condition, disorder or disease, such as gallstones or a sexually transmitted disease, or as a side effect of medication. Abdominal pain can also be due to serious, even life-threatening conditions or trauma, including bleeding peptic ulcer, ruptured spleen, intestinal obstruction or acute pyelonephritis.

Depending on the cause, abdominal pain can be short-term and disappear quickly, such as when abdominal pain occurs after a single episode of alcohol intoxication or from indigestion due to eating rich food. Abdominal pain can also be recurring over a longer period of time, such as when abdominal pain is due to chronic pancreatitis, stomach cancer or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abdominal pain can be the result of a wide variety of gastrointestinal or digestive conditions. These include irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, food poisoning and cirrhosis of the liver.

Abdominal pain often occurs in conjunction with other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Other common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal distention. The underlying disorder, disease or condition that is causing abdominal pain can cause complications, some of which can be serious, even life-threatening. For more details about symptoms and complications, see symptoms of abdominal pain.

Diagnosing abdominal pain and its root cause begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. Diagnosis may also include a complete blood count, which can help to determine if an infectious process, such as food poisoning is present. A chemistry panel is a blood test that can evaluate if abdominal pain coupled with vomiting and/or diarrhea has lead to the complication of dehydration. An urinanalysis can also help to determine dehydration and if urinary tract infection may be causing or aggravating abdominal pain.

Making a diagnosis may also include performing a variety of other tests to help to diagnose other potential underlying diseases, conditions or disorders, such as stomach cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal trauma, gallstones and cirrhosis of the liver. Depending on the suspected cause, tests can include additional blood tests, culture and sensitivity of stool, and imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scan, nuclear scans, MRI, or endoscopy.

In an endoscopy procedure, a special lighted instrument is inserted into the area or areas of the gastrointestinal system that are suspected to be the cause of the abdominal pain and other symptoms. This instrument, called an endoscope, takes pictures of the digestive tract and/or sends images to a computer monitor.

A diagnosis of abdominal pain and its cause can easily be delayed or missed because abdominal pain may be mild or intermittent and for other reasons. For information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of abdominal pain.

Treatment of abdominal pain involves diagnosing and treating the underlying disease, disorder or condition that is causing it. Some conditions can be easily and successfully treated and cured, while others may require more intensive treatment and may not have an optimal prognosis. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of abdominal pain. ...more »

Abdominal pain: Abdominal pain causes can range from extremely severe life-threatening conditions (e.g. acute appendicitis, abdominal aneurysm), to various less serious ... more about Abdominal pain.

Abdominal Pain: A condition which is characterized by the sensation of pain that is located in the abdomen. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Abdominal Pain is available below.