Abdominal Pain & Treatment

SYMPTOMS OF ABDOMINAL PAIN

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs and diaphragm above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (such as the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity. Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas.

Technically, the lowermost portion of the area described previously, is the pelvis, which contains the urinary bladder and rectum, as well as the prostate gland in men, and the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women. Often, it can be difficult to know if lower abdominal pain is coming from the lower abdomen or pelvis. Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to, but not within, the abdominal cavity. For example, conditions of the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain. On the other hand, it also is possible for pain from organs within the abdomen to be felt outside of the abdomen. For example, the pain of pancreatic inflammation may be felt in the back. These latter types of pain are called "referred" pain because the pain does not originate in the location that it is felt. Rather, the cause of the pain is located away from where it is felt (i.e., it is referred to a different area).

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. With anorexia, the drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. There are psychological and behavioral symptoms as well as physical symptoms of anorexia including: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, food obsession, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis often causes signs and symptoms such as:

o    Abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant

o    Nausea

o    Vomiting

o    Abdominal tenderness

o    Fever

o    Loss of appetite
    Delay in surgery can result in appendix rupture with potentially serious complications.

Bulimia Nervosa

People with bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder that involves episodes of bingeing and purging, experience symptoms and signs such as deteriorating teeth, sore throat, constipation, thinning hair, and dehydration. Treatment of bulimia may involve cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy, nutritional counseling, and medication.

CAT Scans

A CT scan is an X-ray procedure that combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional and three-dimensional images of internal organs and structures of the body. A CT scan is a low-risk procedure. Contrast material may be injected into a vein or the spinal fluid to enhance the scan.

Clostridium Difficile Colitis

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. They can be found: 

o    on bedpans, 

o    furniture, 

o    toilet seats, 

o    linens, 

o    telephones, 

o    stethoscopes,

o    fingernails, 

o    rings, 

o    floors, 

o    infants' 

o    rooms, and

o    diaper pails. 

They even can be carried by pets. Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using antibiotics. Treatment for C. difficile colitis includes: 

o    hydration,

o    replenishment of electrolyte deficiencies, 

o    discontinuing the antibiotic that caused the colitis, and

o    using antibiotics to eradicate the C. difficile bacterium.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer is preventable by removing precancerous colon polyps, and it is curable if early cancer is surgically removed before cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Therefore, if screening and surveillance programs were practiced universally, there would be a major reduction in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a procedure whereby a physician inserts a viewing tube (colonoscope) into the rectum for the purpose of inspecting the colon. Colonoscopy is the best method currently available to diagnose, detect, and treat abnormalities within the colon.

Colostomy: A Patient's Perspective

Colostomy surgery is commonly performed by severing the colon to attach the end leading to the stomach to the skin through the wall of the abdomen. There are several types of colostomy procedures, however the "Hartmann's Colostomy" is the most common. Colostomy care of the colostomy bag(s) is important to recovering from colostomy surgery.

Diverticulitis Slideshow

Diverticulitis (diverticulosis) is a condition in which the diverticulum or diverticula rupture in the colon causing infection. Change in diet and medical treatments such as antibiotics and surgery can ease the symptoms of diverticulitis (diverticulosis).

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a broad term used to describe examining the inside of the body using an lighted, flexible instrument called an endoscope. Endoscopy procedure is performed on a patient to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum; and look for causes of symptoms such as: 

o    abdominal pain, 

o    nausea, 

o    vomiting, 

o    difficulty swallowing, or 

o    intestinal bleeding.

Heartburn Foods Slides

Learn the symptoms of heartburn and which foods cause heartburn or GERD. Discover home remedies and which foods may provide treatment for heartburn relief.

Kidney Stone Slideshow

What causes kidney stones? Learn to recognize the symptoms and signs of kidney stone pain. Explore kidney stone treatment and how to prevent kidney stones.

Liver (Anatomy and Function)

The liver is the largest gland and organ in the body. There are a variety of liver diseases caused by liver inflammation, scarring of the liver, infection of the liver, gallstones, cancer, toxins, genetic diseases, and blood flow problems. Symptoms of liver disease generally do not occur until the liver disease is advanced. Some symptoms of liver disease include jaundice, nausea and vomiting, easy bruising, bleeding excessively, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, shortness of breath, leg swelling, impotence, and confusion. Treatment of diseases of the liver depends upon the cause.

Stomach 

The stomach is a muscular sac located on the left side of the upper abdomen. See a picture of the Stomach and learn more about the health topic.

UTI Symptoms Slideshow

Understand urinary tract infection (UTI) through pictures. Our experts describe urinary tract infection symptoms like pelvic pain, pain or burning while urinating, bloody or cloudy urine, and feeling the need to urinate frequently. Learn how UTIs are diagnosed as well in infants, the elderly, and all people.