Abdominal Pain in Adults

Pain and discomfort in the abdomen are common among most people at some point in their lives. The vast majority of the time, it is not life-threatening. Some cases of abdominal pain resolve on their own without the need for medical intervention. Staying hydrated, resting, and avoiding foods that can irritate your stomach can all help alleviate pain. An upset stomach and indigestion can be relieved by taking over-the-counter gas medications or antacids.

Causes of abdominal pain

Constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and a stomach virus are all less serious causes of abdominal pain. Appendicitis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a bowel blockage, cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux are some of the more serious causes. Sometimes abdominal pain is caused by a problem that isn't in your stomach, such as a heart attack, menstrual cramps, or pneumonia.

Identify the cause of abdominal pain

Peptic ulcer — The pain felt in the upper abdomen, as a knife-like pain that goes through to the back.

GORD — The pain usually causes a central burning pain that develops just under the breastbone, and may rise upwards. It may be accompanied by belching.

Appendicitis — The pain usually starts near the navel before moving down to the lower right abdomen and becomes more constant.

Gallstones/ Gallbladder irritation — The pain is felt in the upper right abdomen, back, or right shoulder.

Lower abdominal pain — It is probably coming from the bowel.

Period pain — typically characterized by a dull, cramping sensation that begins low in the abdomen and radiates to the back.

With so many organs and structures in the abdomen, a doctor may struggle to pinpoint the exact cause of your problem. The doctor will ask you a series of questions before conducting a thorough examination. The doctor may perform tests if necessary.

How to treat abdominal pain

Persistent abdominal pain may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. If home remedies don’t work and you have abdominal pain for several days, get in touch with the best doctors in Chennai at Prashanth Hospitals. More severe abdominal pain should never be ignored. Go to your nearest emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:

• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Pain accompanied by the inability to have a bowel movement
• Abdominal pain while vomiting blood
• Profuse bleeding from the bowels
• Gastric pain accompanied by difficulty in breathing
• Sudden/ severe pain
• Extreme tenderness when you touch your abdomen
• Yellow skin
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Pain during pregnancy

What should you do?

• Don't wait or self-medicate
• Notice what type of pain it is. Is it accompanied by cramps? Does it come and go? Is it a sharp shooting pain?
• Notice what other symptoms are accompanying the pain
• Profuse bleeding from the bowels
• What you are experiencing in terms of pain does not always reflect the severity of the condition that is causing it

Don't take any chances if something feels "different" than your usual tummy ache. Don’t ignore abdominal pain — see the doctor if your symptoms are severe, get worse over time, or keep coming back. Get it checked immediately.