Abdominal pain is pretty common, and oftentimes, it requires no intervention. However, there are time when abdominal pain warrants a visit with your doctor, of an immediate visit to the emergency room. Sometimes it is hard to know when you need to see a doctor for your abdominal pain. Once you know a bit more about the common causes of pain in the abdomen, or belly pain, you will be better equipped to know when to seek help.
Many of us have had pain in out belly that is a result of a strained, or pulled muscle, from strenuous exercise, coughing, or vomiting. While it certainly hurts, pain in the muscles of the abdomen do not constitute abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is defined as pain that occurs within the organs of the belly, or abdomen, under the muscles of your abdomen. There are a number of organs in your abdomen that may cause belly pain. Because the abdomen is a tricky place to evaluate, due to the many organs, for medical discussion purposes, the belly is divided into four sections, or quadrants.
To know where the quadrants are, in your head, run an invisible line down your belly from the bottom of your breastbone to the top of your pubic bone, using the navel as the center point. Now draw an imaginary from your left side to your right side, with the two lines intersecting at the navel. This leaves you with the right upper quadrant, the left upper quadrant, the right lower quadrant, and the left lower quadrant. When describing your abdominal pain to your health care practitioner, they will ask here your pain is located, and now you can tell them with more precision. Now, let’s look at some common forms of abdominal, or belly pain.
Gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. Belly pain associate with the stomach flu may be felt in all four quadrants, but if it the the stomach that is the most irritated, your pain will be in your upper left quadrant. Intestinal cramping associated with gastroenteritis can be felt in both lower quadrants, where the bowels are. This type of pain is usually colicky, meaning that it comes and goes in intensity. It may just be cramping, or it may hurt quit a bit. Usually, gastroenteritis needs no medical intervention, as it is a virus that will resolve itself.
Intestinal gas is generally felt in the bottom two quadrants, but sometimes one can become so bloated, that the pain also moves up into the upper quadrants. Intestinal gas in uncomfortable, and sometimes, it can be extremely so, but a product such a Gas-X will generally help relieve you symptoms.
Gallbladder disease, or gallstones. This pain will be felt in your left right upper quadrant, as the gallbladder is tucked up under the liver. Sometimes pain from a gallbladder attack radiates to the center of the abdomen. Gallbladder attacks can be extremely painful, and my cause vomiting. Gallbladder attacks usually occur within two hours of a heavy, fatty meal. ER’s are always especially busy on Thanksgiving night with people having gallbladder attacks. Gallbladder pain is also a colicky pain, but if it is severe, you are vomiting, and you develop a fever, it is time to head to the doctor, or the emergency room.
Appendicitis pain is usually felt in the right lower quadrant, where the appendix is located, but often times pain from an inflamed, or infected, appendix is also felt right at the navel area. Pain from an appendicitis can begin as a mild discomfort that persists, and gets worse. If you have worsening, or severe, right lower quadrant pain, especially of you have a fever, or begin to vomit, seek medical help as soon as possible.
Indigestion, or heartburn. If you have indigestion your may feel bloated, and you may experience abdominal pain in any, or all four quadrants. In some cases, the pain can be quite uncomfortable. Pain from heartburn is usually felt as a burning sensation under your breastbone, and it can be quite bothersome, as well. In most cases, an antacid, and time, will resolve the problem. If you have frequent indigestion, you may want to consider making changes to your diet.
Chronic constipation can cause lower quadrant abdominal pain that many find more than a little unpleasant. If you are having fewer than 3 bowel movements a week, then you are constipated. Adding fiber to your diet, in the form of whole grains, and fruits and vegetables will help, as will drinking more water. If you need to, take a stool softener of a product like Metamucil, known as a bulk laxative, to see if that gets things moving. The occasional use of a laxative is helpful, but chronic use of laxatives can make matters worse. Make an appointment with your doctor if you suffer from chronic constipation.
Ulcers generally cause a burning type of pain that occurs when you have an empty stomach. Eating may make you feel better. Pain from a gastric ulcer is usually felt in the left upper quadrant, and pain from a duodenal ulcer may be felt lower and more to the center. If you have this sort of persistent, burning, abdominal pain that gets better from eating, see you doctor.
Bowel obstruction pain will be diffuse, severe, pain that involves your lower quadrant areas, resulting from an area of your bowel being blocked. The pain is accompanied with nausea, vomiting, bloating, and the inability to pas gas, or stool. A bowel obstruction is a very serious problem, and you should seek medical treatment immediately.
There are many more causes and types of abdominal pain. The bottom line is that if your abdominal pain is severe, combined with a fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal rigidity, get to the emergency room immediate. If you are suffering from any form of chronic belly pain, make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation of your symptoms.
Abdominal Pain
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