| Abdominal pain | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Stomach ache, tummy ache, belly ache, belly pain, gut ache |
 | |
| Abdominal pain can be characterized by the region it affects | |
| Specialty | General surgery |
| Types | Acute, chronic[1] |
| Causes | Common: Gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome[2] Serious: Appendicitis, perforated stomach ulcer, pancreatitis, ruptured diverticulitis, ovarian torsion, volvulus, ruptured aortic aneurysm, lacerated spleen or liver, ischemic bowel[3] |
Abdominal pain, also known as a stomach ache, is a symptom of discomfort anywhere in the abdominal region.[4] It can be localized in one of the four quadrants or the abdomen or occur diffusely.[3] Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation may be present.[3][5] It may be divided into pain of sudden onset (acute) and long term pain (chronic).[1]
Common causes include gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome.[2] About 15% of people have a more serious underlying condition such as appendicitis, gall bladder disease, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, perforated peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, ovarian torsion, volvulus, diabetic ketoacidosis, diverticulitis, ischemic bowel, or ectopic pregnancy.[2][3] In babies necrotizing enterocolitis, vulvulus, and intussuception should be considered.[3] In a third of cases the exact cause is unclear.[3]
Diagnosis may be based on the history of symptoms, examination, blood work, and medical imaging.[3] An ECG may be done to rule out a heart attack.[3] Treatment may include intravenous fluids and pain management.[3] Depending on the underlying cause surgery may be required.[3] About 10% of people in the emergency department are there for abdominal pain.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b "Search results for: Acute Abdominal Pain". Merck Manuals Consumer Version. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Viniol A, Keunecke C, Biroga T, Stadje R, Dornieden K, Bösner S, et al. (October 2014). "Studies of the symptom abdominal pain--a systematic review and meta-analysis". Family Practice. 31 (5): 517–29. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmu036. PMID 24987023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Patterson JW, Dominique E (14 November 2018). "Acute Abdomenal". StatPearls. PMID 29083722.
- ^ "Abdominal Pain - MeSH - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ Mahadevan, S. V.; Garmel, Gus M. (2012). An Introduction to Clinical Emergency Medicine. Cambridge University Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-521-74776-9.