Types of Abdominal Pain, Causes and How the Symptoms are Likely to Affect You

Most abdominal pain causes are not severe. Thus, your doctor could quickly diagnose and treat the issue. However, sometimes the pain could be an indication of a severe condition needing immediate medical attention. Cypress abdominal pain expert Dr. Pothuri uses modern treatment approaches to help patients get relief from acute and persistent abdominal pain making life uncomfortable. The specialist understands that finding a treatment path is a priority when abdominal pain prevents you from enjoying your favorite activities.

What does abdominal pain result from?

Your abdomen is bound by your diaphragm and ribs’ margin above, your pelvic bone below, and flanks on either side. Although pain could result from abdominal wall tissues surrounding your abdominal cavity, the discomfort you feel is most likely to originate from the organs within your abdominal cavity. These organs include your:

• Stomach
• Small intestines
• Colon
• Liver
• Gall bladder
• Spleen
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Appendix

There are various types of abdominal pain and your doctor will evaluate you depending on how quickly the pain begins and how long the symptoms will last. Basing on your signs, you are likely to have:

• Acute pain. This type of pain starts and resolves in a few hours or days. Causes of acute pain may range from minor (resolving without medical interventions) or severe (requiring medical emergencies)
• Chronic pain. Chronic pain lasts longer, even weeks or months, and can be episodic or intermittent. Specific causes are usually challenging to locate, but the pain is less likely to worsen.
• Progressive pain. Pain that steadily worsens over time and could also accompany several other symptoms. Common causes of progressive pain include cancer, Crohn’s disease, and an enlarged spleen.

What are the primary causes of abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain has various potential causes. However, typical causes like pulled muscles or indigestion are usually not serious. You will most likely experience different symptoms depending on the type of pain you are having. For instance, you are likely to have severe pain because of:

• Kidney infections
• Gallbladder stones
• Kidney stones
• Organ rupture (or near rupture)

You could also have chronic abdominal pain because of diseases that affect your digestive system, like lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.

Acute pain’s common causes include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Appendicitis
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Cystitis
• Pulmonary infarction
• Urinary tract infection
• Ruptured spleen

How will your doctor diagnose your abdominal pain’s cause?

Your doctor will diagnose your abdominal pain through a series of tests. However, before requesting tests, your care provider will do a thorough physical examination, including pressing your abdomen’s various parts to look for swelling or tenderness. Your doctor’s findings, pain severity, and location in your abdomen will determine the tests that will be done. The professional will use imaging tests like ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRI scans to view your abdominal structures in detail. The tests will also help your doctor diagnose tumors, ruptures, fractures, and inflammation. Other tests your doctor will recommend include:

• Endoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Upper GI

Your doctor could also request urine, stool, and blood samples to check for bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections.

Not all abdominal pains warrant a trip to a specialist. However, you should not hesitate to contact the experts for medical attention if the pain worsens over time. For more inquiries, schedule an appointment with your doctor.