Abdominal pain
• Abdominal pain is the symptom of any discomfort below the ribs to the pelvis.
• Abdominal pain is the most common physical complaint.
• Abdominal pain is often difficult for the patient to describe or quantify (determine intensity) or localize in the abdomen.
• Abdominal pain may be the feeling of a sharp or dull discomfort, nausea, fullness or burning and often difficult to explain.
• Abdominal pain may result from:
· abdominal abscess (infection/collection of pus in the abdomen)
· black widow spider bite
· constipation
· gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
· gastroenteritis (inflammation/ infection of the stomach and intestine)
· inflammatory bowel disease (inflammation intestine-likely autoimmune mediated)
· intestinal ischemia (obstruction of the blood flow to the intestine)
· intestinal obstruction
· intestinal parasites
· irritable bowel syndrome
· kidney failure
· high calcium levels
· iron toxicity
· lead poisoning
· pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
· peritonitis (infection within the abdominal cavity)
· perforated intestine-bowel (rupture of the intestinal wall)
· ruptured or ectopic pregnancy
· ruptured spleen
· urinary tract infection
• Abdominal pain that persists or is worsening can be a sign of a serious condition should always be evaluated by your doctor.
Posted on September 17, 2008
