So-called abdominal pain in the abdomen is common in women and men, children and adults. We usually talk about stomach aches or stomachaches. What hides a pain on the left? To the right ? What are the associated symptoms? When should you consult? What treatment?
Abdominal pain, whether from left side or right side concern a large part of the population: approximately 2 to 4 out of 10 adults and 1 to 2 out of 10 children are frequently affected by abdominal pain. Abdominal pain can in particular be characterized by its recurrent nature (we then speak of chronic abdominal pain) or punctual (we then speak of acute abdominal pain). What are the warning symptoms? The different causes? Who and when to consult? What are the best treatments? Explanations of symptoms and solutions.
What is acute abdominal pain?
Sharp, severe abdominal pain is almost always a symptom of intra-abdominal disease. It may be the only sign of the need for surgery and must be taken care of quickly. In some cases, it can also reveal renal, gynecological, cardiac, vascular, thoracic, and sometimes metabolic disease. The associated clinical signs (fever, bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, etc.) and simple biological examinations, radiology of the abdomen without preparation, ultrasound or abdominal scanner can guide the diagnosis.
What is chronic abdominal pain?
Chronic abdominal pain is defined by persistent pain for more than 3 months, continuously or intermittently. Intermittent pain can be likened to recurrent abdominal pain. It can occur any time after the age of 5. Up to 10% of children require a checkup for recurrent abdominal pain and about 2% of adults, mostly women, have chronic abdominal pain. A greater percentage of adults have some chronic gastrointestinal symptomssuch as dyspepsia and various intestinal disorders.
What is abdominal pain after meals?
Pain after meals is the most common sign a digestive problem in the stomach, pancreas, gallbladder or intestines. A feeling of heaviness or bloating accompanied by belching, or pain above the umbilicus may be related to dyspepsia (gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach ulcer, etc.). On the contrary, a sharp and penetrating pain in the upper part of the belly or on the right can be linked to a pathology of the pancreas or the gallbladder. Bloating, swelling, diarrhea or constipation associated with pain in the lower abdomen are rather a sign of an intestinal problem.
Abdominal pain on the right: the sign of what?
Right abdominal pain is a sign of a problem with the liver or gallbladder. Appendicitis results in abdominal pain in the lower right part of the abdomen (the right iliac fossa).
Abdominal pain on the left: the sign of what?
Left abdominal pain is a sign of a problem in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas.
What are the symptoms of abdominal pain?
The symptoms vary depending on cause and location (left or right, accompanied by other symptoms…). Abdominal pain is characterized by:
- Sensation of pain in part or all of the belly,
- Cramps or burns
- A fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Aerophagia
- Difficult urination.
“Abdominal pain is very common because it is a symptom of various pathologies of the entire abdomen. Do not let abdominal pain drag on and do not hesitate to consult your doctor if it persists or the emergency room if it is unbearable“, advises Dr. Claire Lewandowski, a doctor specializing in general medicine, addictology and psychiatry.
Abdominal pain and dark urine: what to do?
Dark urine most often indicates the presence of blood. When they are associated with sharp abdominal pain during urination, they are a sign of renal colic, that is to say an obstruction of the urinary tract. They are manifested by a sharp pain felt suddenly in the lumbar region, and it is due to a sudden increase in the pressure of urine which can no longer flow. Additional examinations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis such as an ultrasound and analgesic treatment should be started without delay.
Abdominal pain and diarrhea: what to do?
In case of acute abdominal pain associated with diarrhea – i.e. at least 3 loose or watery stools per day, for less than 14 days (usually only a few days) and which disappears spontaneously – a viral or bacterial infection is the more often involved. On the other hand, if the pain and diarrhea become chronic, ie they last more than 4 weeks, they may be caused by an inflammatory bowel disorder such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Abdominal pain and fever: what to do?
When fever accompanies abdominal pain, it meansit could be an infection. In most cases it is gastroenteritis of viral or bacterial origin. However, depending on the medical and surgical history, additional examinations (blood test, ultrasound, scanner, etc.) and symptoms, it may also be hepatobiliary damage, pancreatitis, perforation or intestinal inflammation such as Crohn’s disease, abscess, obstruction, intestinal ischemia or diverticulitis. Other gynecological conditions such as salpingitis, ectopic pregnancy, torsion or rupture of an ovarian cyst may also be involved. In all cases, rapid medical care is required to make the diagnosis and sometimes to carry out emergency surgery.
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
There are many causes of abdominal pain. It is the doctor’s clinical examination, the associated symptoms and the complementary examinations which make it possible to make the diagnosis and to propose an appropriate care. Abdominal pain can reveal:
- Constipation
- A gastrointestinal infection (gastroenteritis, etc.)
- gastric reflux
- Gastritis
- an ulcer
- A strangulation of the intestine in case of hernia
- Inflammation of the pancreas or liver
- appendicitis
- An intestinal obstruction
- peritonitis
- A kidney or gallstone
- Cystitis
- A myocardial infarction (much rarer and especially in the elderly).
- painful periods
- An ovarian cyst
- An ectopic pregnancy
- Finally, many people regularly suffer from stomach aches without a known cause. We then speak of functional intestinal disorders or “colopathy”. related to stress or a masked depressive state.
What are the treatments for abdominal pain?
The treatment of abdominal pain is essentially based on the treatment of its cause. For this reason, it is always better to consult a doctor in case of stomach aches of unknown origin. When the pain is due to painful spasms of the digestive tract, the origin of which is suspected (diarrhea, excess food, colopathy, nervousness, anxiety, etc.), it is possible to relieve them using antispasmodic drugs on medical prescription. . In some cases, the treatment may require a adaptation of diet. Surgery is sometimes the only remedy to treat the cause and relieve the symptoms.
When to consult in case of abdominal pain?
Violent abdominal pain that occurs for no apparent reason requires consulting an emergency department to perform a clinical examination and a check-up, most often including a blood test, an abdominal ultrasound and sometimes a CT scan. The presence of fever or blood in the urine must also be consulted quickly.