Abdominal pain or discomfort or abdominal cramps is a common complaint and has a multitude of causes depending on the age and location in the abdomen or the tummy/ belly. They are mostly mild and resolves with home remedies.
Menstrual cramps or viral infection or food poisoning causing entero-colitis or food allergies or too much gas can also be the more common causes. Such causes can be treated with home remedies and with medications.
Abdominal pain can present as:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Gastritis
- Acute cholecystitis
- Gallstone disease
- Hepatitis
- Pancreatitis
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD
- Peptic ulcer – gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer
- Cancer of liver, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts or lymph nodes
- Diverticulitis
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Lower abdominal pain
- Appendicitis
- Diverticulitis
- Urinary stones (kidney stones)
- Hernia
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cancer or ovarian cyst with complication
- Fibroid uterus with complication
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Generalized abdominal pain
- Intestinal obstruction
- Adhesion colic, if the patient had previous surgery
- Enteritis
- Colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Diagnosis:
The patient will require investigations to find out the cause, some of which can be an emergency and may require urgent surgery.
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Stool tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound scan
- CT scan
- Endoscopy like Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy
Treatment:
Similarly, the patient will be advised management depending on the cause for the abdominal pain. It can range from:
- Dietary modifications
- Lifestyle changes
- Medications
- Surgery, depending on the cause
