The abdomen is the part of your body that is located between your chest and your pelvic regions. It houses many different organs of the body, all of which are crucial for optimal body functionality. When you start experiencing pain in the abdomen, so many different explanations can be given. Any one of the major organs in your abdomen could be infected, inflamed, or even raptured, hence the pain. Identifying the specific reason for your pain can help with the proper prognosis and treatment. Read on to learn more about the abdomen and the pain associated with this part of the body.
Which Organs Are Covered in Your Abdominal Region?
There are four main quadrants of the abdomen, all containing major body organs. Using the quadrants, medical experts can properly determine all the organs in this part, including the following:
- Pancreas
- Stomach
- Small and large intestines
- Spleen
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Gallbladder
- Appendix
Any of the above-mentioned parts can result in abdominal pain. The real task is to identify which one of them is ailing to avoid misdiagnosis. At Express ER temple, we put patients through diagnostic tests of the abdominal area. These tests help evaluate the health of the different organs in the abdominal area, with a keen interest in any infected areas.
What Causes Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain manifests differently in different individuals. It can be in the form of cramping, aching, sharp pain, or intermittent pain. It is sometimes referred to as severe stomach pain. The pain in your abdomen can range from mild discomfort to major unbearable pain. That said, you must rush to nearest emergency room whenever you experience unbearable abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain causes are not always conclusive. Without diagnostic tests, it is impossible to determine the main problem. The causes vary from one patient to another. This also explains why your doctor will ask pertinent questions about the nature of the pain you are experiencing. For example, if you are experiencing left-side abdominal pain, do not generalize it as pain in your entire abdomen. Any information you can provide to clarify the matter can help narrow it down to the underlying ailment.
Some of the situations linked to abdominal pain include the following:
- Abnormal growths in an organ – these can be tumors or lumps. They can be cancerous on noncancerous.
- Menstruation cramping – severe period pain is also called dysmenorrhea. A patient can also be suffering from endometriosis, causing severe cramping during menstruation.
- Pregnancy and pregnancy-related problems – you are likely to experience mild pain in your abdomen during the early stages of your pregnancy. Other than that, some pregnancy conditions can lead to abdominal pain. They include fibroids, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriages.
- Stomach ulcers
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Constipation
- Respiratory related problems – this covers problems like the flu or pneumonia.
- Diarrhea
- Stomach flu – also known as gastroenteritis
- Stress and anxiety
- Traumatic injury – any pain in your chest area, all through to the pelvic region, can lead to abdominal pain.
- Acid reflux
- Lactose intolerance – this refers to one’s inability to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk and other milk products.
- Rupturing of an organ – either one of the organs in your abdominal region can rupture. This is common for organs like the appendix.
- Kidney problem – often involves issues like a kidney infection or kidney stones.
Determining the location of the pain is the only clue that can help you identify the cause of the pain. In women, for example, pain is often in the lower abdomen.
When is Treatment Necessary?
Abdominal pains can result in a health emergency. However, it is not all cases of abdominal pain that require dire treatment. Some mild pains can go away without treatment. The important thing is to consider how severe the pain is and for how long you have had the pain. Other than that, you want to reach out to your doctor immediately if the pain is a result of a traumatic injury. Further, if the pain is too unbearable for you to sit down properly or has underlying symptoms of blood, consider it a medical emergency.