| The evaluation of abdominal pain requires an | | | | |
| understanding of the possible mechanisms | | | | The type of pain can vary greatly. When |
| responsible for pain, a broad differential of | | | | abdominal pain occurs, it can: |
| common causes, and recognition of typical | | | | |
| patterns and clinical presentations. All | | | | *Be sharp, dull, stabbing, cramp-like, |
| patients do not have classic presentations. | | | | twisting or fit many other descriptions |
| Thus, unusual causes of abdominal pain must | | | | |
| also be considered, especially in elderly and | | | | *Be brief, come and go in waves, or it can be |
| immuno compromised patients. | | | | constant |
| | | | |
| The differential diagnosis of generalized | | | | *Make you throw up (vomit) |
| abdominal pain in adults is entirely | | | | |
| different from that in children, with the | | | | The pain may take the form of cramps that |
| caveat that children gradually progress from | | | | come and go or it may be constant. It may |
| infancy to adulthood and so an adolescent is | | | | feel like stabbing, aching, or burning in |
| more an adult than a child. A colicky pain | | | | your abdomen. Pain may also spread to your |
| comes and goes or at least fluctuates in | | | | back or chest. Sometimes the pain may be |
| intensity. The patient may writhe about | | | | accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or |
| during the pain, seeking a comfortable | | | | fever. |
| position. The pain of peritonitis is constant | | | | |
| and the patient lies still as movement | | | | Abdominal Pain in Adults Treatment |
| aggravates the pain. | | | | |
| | | | Abdominal pain without fever, vomiting, |
| Acute abdominal pain can represent a spectrum | | | | vaginal bleeding, passing out, chest pain, or |
| of conditions from benign and self-limited | | | | other serious symptoms often gets better |
| disease to surgical emergencies. Evaluating | | | | without special treatment. |
| abdominal pain requires an approach that | | | | |
| relies on the likelihood of disease, patient | | | | If the pain persists or if the patient |
| history, physical examination, laboratory | | | | believes the pain may represent a serious |
| tests, and imaging studies. The location of | | | | problem, they should see their healthcare |
| pain is a useful starting point and will | | | | provider. |
| guide further evaluation. For example, right | | | | |
| lower quadrant pain strongly suggests | | | | A heating pad or soaking in a tub of warm |
| appendicitis. | | | | water may ease the patient's pain. |
| | | | |
| Abdominal Pain in Adults Causes | | | | Over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums, |
| | | | Maalox, or Pepto-Bismol, also can reduce some |
| 1. Diseases people worry about most are | | | | types of abdominal pain. Activated charcoal |
| appendicitis, gallbladder disease, ulcers, | | | | capsules also may help. |
| infections, and pregnancy associated | | | | |
| problems. | | | | Pain relief - your pain may not go away fully |
| | | | with painkillers but it should ease. |
| 2. Doctors also worry about the following | | | | |
| conditions: ruptured blood vessels, heart | | | | Fluids - you may have fluids given into a |
| attack, liver and pancreas inflammation, | | | | vein to correct fluid loss and rest your |
| kidney stones, problems with the blood | | | | bowel. |
| circulation to the intestine, diverticulitis, | | | | |
| and other diseases. | | | | Medicines - for example, you may be given |
| | | | something to stop you vomiting. |
| Symptoms | | | | |