Abdominal Pain

Stomach Ache

Abdominal pain is pain or discomfort that a patient feels anywhere between the chest and the groin. Although patients may describe their symptom as a "stomach ache," abdominal pain can be caused by many things other than the actual stomach itself.

Chest and abdominal pain are the two top reasons for patients to go to the Urgent Care Center or Emergency Room. There are several important factors to consider with abdominal pain. They are:

-- Location
-- Intensity (on a scale of 1 to 10)
-- Radiation to other parts of the body
-- Type of pain (sharp, cramping, etc.)

 

Abdominal pain might originate in any part of the digestive system besides the stomach itself, including the gallbladder, intestines and appendix.  Pain might also be caused by menstrual cramping or urinary tract infections.  The location, severity and type of pain experienced will hint at the cause and treatment of the pain the patient experiences

Mild abdominal pain or pain with a short duration may be caused by simple indigestion and is of little concern.  More severe pain or pain accompanied by the following symptoms should be treated by a doctor:

-- Fever
-- Prolonged nausea or vomiting
-- Constipation, especially if accompanied by vomiting
-- Painful or frequent urination

If the pain came after experiencing any sort of trauma to the abdominal area, or if the abdomen is tender to the touch, seek medical attention immediately as this could be a sign of internal injury.  Additionally, abdominal pain should always be taken seriously when the patient is pregnant, if the pain is stabbing and severe, or if the pain radiates to other parts of the body like the shoulder or groin. 

Aside from asking questions about the pain, a doctor can identify the cause of pain by running blood tests, collecting a stool sample, using imaging equipment like a CT-Scan or ultrasound, or completing an endoscopy.  The type of diagnostic procedure will vary depending on the symptoms presented and the patient's medical history. 

Treatments for abdominal pain will depend largely on the cause of that pain.  Some conditions, like appendicitis, may require surgical intervention.  Others can be managed with drugs and lifestyle changes.  Medications like antacids and acid reducers can be helpful for ulcers and GERD, while some anti-inflammatory painkillers may help with other conditions. 

Beware, however, that painkillers should only be taken under a physician's orders when dealing with abdominal pain as ingredients in NSAIDs can aggravate ulcers and other stomach conditions.