Abdominal pain, also called tummy pain or stomach pain, is a common problem that affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. It can be a mild ache or a severe pain that may need urgent medical attention.
Abdominal Pain Symptoms
There are many reasons why people experience abdominal pain, including gas and indigestion, menstrual cramps or food poisoning. Some causes are very obvious and easy to recognize, while others are less recognizable or more serious.
Some common causes of abdominal pain include:
Medications can cause pain in the stomach because they can irritate the stomach, leading to nausea and diarrhea or by slowing digestion, causing constipation. Make sure you check the label of any medication to see if it is known to cause stomach pain.
Other causes of abdominal pain are more difficult to diagnose because they often have no symptoms at all. These conditions can range from a minor infection to one that requires immediate surgery, such as appendicitis.
How long your pain lasts will help doctors determine what might be causing it and whether you need to see them or not. Acute abdominal pain typically lasts a few hours, and it usually gets better over time. Chronic abdominal pain, on the other hand, can be ongoing for months or years.
A doctor will ask you a lot of questions about your symptom history, physical examination and tests that may need to be done to find out what’s causing the pain. They will want to know when the pain started, where it is located and how often you have it. They will also need to know your age, any health conditions you have, any injuries you have had and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are a woman, they will also want to know about your menstrual cycle and the pain you feel after you eat or during menstruation.
The location of the pain can help a doctor diagnose its cause. For example, if the pain is a sharp, stabbing pain that moves from the back to the abdomen, it is most likely caused by a herniated disc. Similarly, if it is a sharp, stabbing pain that stays in the same location, it might be an ulcer in your stomach or a gallbladder problem.
During your exam, the doctor might press on various parts of your belly to try to identify areas that might be causing the pain. They might also do a pelvic examination, which can include checking your penis and scrotum.
Your doctor will probably ask you if you have any other symptoms, such as fever or weight loss. They might also test your blood for a certain condition, such as leukemia or a heart condition.
They might do a physical examination, especially if they suspect that you are having a pregnancy or a hernia. They will also do an abdominal ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging techniques to get a better look at the area where the pain is located.
