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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Glossary > Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Pain
Recurring lower abdominal pain (from mild discomfort to severe spasms), in association with bowel dysfunction, is one of the chief symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as defined by the Rome II diagnostic guidelines. Abdominal pain stemming from Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be well-managed, and often prevented entirely.
Quick Help for Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain from IBS can be quickly relieved and even prevented by high volatile oil medicinal strength Peppermint Tummy Tea and Tummy Tamers peppermint oil capsules.
The proper diet for IBS, and a pure soluble fiber supplement such as Tummy Fiber Acacia Senegal, will normalize bowel function (diarrhea AND constipation) while preventing painful spasms and cramps in the gut.
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Diet Kit #2
Eating for IBS, Tummy Fiber Acacia Can, Peppermint Caps |
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$49.44
(20% off $61.80 list price) |
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Abdominal Pain - What Is It?
Abdominal pain in general is defined as a nonspecific symptom that may be associated with a multitude of conditions. Some do not occur within the abdomen itself, but cause abdominal discomfort. An example would be the abdominal pain associated with strep throat. Some originate within the abdomen, but are not related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as a dissecting aortic aneurysm. Other pain is related directly to the gastrointestinal tract.
The severity of the pain does not always reflect the severity of the condition causing the pain. Severe abdominal pain can be associated with mild conditions, such as stomach gas or the cramping of viral gastroenteritis, while relatively mild pain (or no pain) may be present with severe and life-threatening conditions, such as cancer of the colon or early appendicitis.
Abdominal pain can be caused by stomach ulcers, toxins, infection, biliary tract disease, liver disease, renal disease, bladder infections, menstruation, ovulation, female and male genitourinary disease, vascular problems, malignancy, ulcers, perforation, pancreatic disease, hernias, trauma, and metabolic diseases. The list is so extensive that it would be impossible to name all the possible diseases in each of the above groups.
Because abdominal pain is nonspecific, health care providers will require much more information regarding the time of onset, duration of pain (minutes, hours, days, or even months), location of pain (lower, upper, right or left side), nature of pain (dull, sharp, steady, crampy, off and on), severity of pain, and relationship to normal functions (such as menstruation and ovulation).
The location of pain and its time pattern may be helpful in suggesting its cause. During physical examination, the health care provider will try to determine if the pain is localized to a single area (point tenderness) or diffuse, and if the pain is related to inflammation of the peritoneum or of the abdomen. If the health care provider finds evidence of peritoneal inflammation, the abdominal pain may be classified as an "acute abdomen", which often requires prompt surgical intervention.
In addition, the health care provider will try to relate the abdominal tenderness to other general symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, general ill feeling (malaise), nausea, vomiting, or changes in stool. Then, the provider will ask about increasingly specific symptoms as the diagnostic considerations are narrowed.
In infants, prolonged unexplained crying (often called "colic") may be caused by abdominal pain that often ends with the passage of stomach gas or stool. Colic is often worse in the evening. Cuddling and rocking the child may bring some relief.
Severe abdominal pain that occurs during menstruation may indicate a problem in a reproductive organ. This includes conditions, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer (rare), or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Abdmonal Pain - What Causes It?
The following is a list of the most common causes of abdominal pain. It is important to note that among this list there are relatively few serious diseases.
Bladder infections
Cholecystitis and/or gallstones
Colic in infants (infants to 4 months)
Excessive stomach gas
Endometriosis
Food allergy
Food poisoning (salmonella, shigella)
Hernia
Indigestion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Kidney stones
Lactose intolerance (milk intolerance)
Menstrual cramping
Ovarian cysts
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Pneumonia (in children)
Recurrent abdominal pain (usually in children and adolescents -- a type of somatization disorder where emotional upset is reflected as physical discomfort)
Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat, in children this can cause abdominal pain)
Stomach Ulcers
Uterine fibroids
Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
Common Causes of Abdominal Pain in Children
Gastroesophageal reflux
Chronic constipation
Parasite infections (Giardia)
Excess fructose or sorbitol ingestion
Sickle cell crisis
Crohn's disease
Less common, but serious causes:
Ovarian cancer
Colon cancer or other abdominal cancer
Abdominal pain that may indicate a potential emergency:
Severe abdominal pain with nausea and fever may indicate appendicitis, cholecystitis (infected gall bladder), or complications of diverticulitis.
Abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating or constipation may indicate a bowel obstruction.
Abdominal pain that is accompanies by a stiff, "board like" abdomen may indicate peritonitis due to an infection spreading in the abdominal cavity or to a hole in the stomach or intestine.
Abdominal pain is accompanied by bloody stools, vomiting blood, or gastrointestinal bleeding from any cause can be dangerous.
Persistent upper abdominal pain and vomiting may indicate pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Abdominal pain followed by nausea/ vomiting and fever may indicate appendicitis.
Intermittent abdominal pain manifested in an infant by drawing knees to chest, with crying, could be intussusception (telescoping intestines).
Dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm.
When to Call Your Doctor about Abdominal Pain
The pain is very severe
An abdominal injury was sustained in the last 2 or 3 days
Pain develops during pregnancy (or possible pregnancy)
The pain persists for a prolonged period of time
Pain is accompanied by fever, nausea, or an inability to keep down food or liquids for several days
Nausea, fever, and bloating or constipation accompanies the pain
The abdomen is tender to touch, or it feels rigid or hard
The patient has been vomiting blood or there are bloody stools
Diagnostic Tests That May be Performed for Abdominal Pain:
Barium enema
Upper GI and small bowel series
Blood, urine, and stool tests
Endoscopy of upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract (EGD)
Ultrasound of the abdomen
X-rays of the abdomen
Colonoscopy
Help for Abdominal Pain
If you feel confident that your abdominal pain is a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, learn all you need to know about this disorder with The First Year: IBS, an essential guide to successfully managing the disorder. For immediate relief from IBS abdominal pain, start making dietary changes.
Also, peppermint, taken as enteric coated capsules or as high volatile oil Peppermint Tummy Tea, can be extremely beneficial for relieving and preventing IBS abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain information provided by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH
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