Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is a common symptom with various causes, and it may manifest depending on the location of the pain on the abdomen:
- Upper right abdomen: Gallbladder inflammation, liver inflammation
- Lower right abdomen: Appendicitis, kidney stone in the urinary tract
- Upper left abdomen: Gastritis, pancreatitis
- Lower left abdomen: Intestinal obstruction, kidney stone in the urinary tract
- Epigastrium: Gastritis, inflammation of the upper small intestine
- Around the navel: Early-stage appendicitis, aneurysm
- Lower abdomen: Bladder inflammation, inflammation of the fallopian tubes The diagnosis of the disease causing abdominal pain must be considered from accompanying symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination by a doctor. Treatment varies according to the cause and severity of the symptoms. If there is sudden abdominal pain, it is necessary to see a doctor urgently for assessment and prompt treatment.
Abdominal pain may also be caused by diseases outside the abdominal cavity, such as spinal diseases, pneumonia, pancreatitis, high calcium in the blood, diabetes with complications such as DKA, severe uremia (toxins in the blood from kidney failure), Addison's disease, typhoid fever, porphyria, lead poisoning, thyroid disorders, psychosomatic causes of chronic abdominal pain. If the disease has a specific cause, examples include inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic bowel, diabetic neuropathy, stomach ulcers, peritoneal abscesses, abdominal tumors, chronic hepatitis, endometrial proliferation, gallstones, intussusception, bowel obstruction, gastritis, appendicitis, inflamed inguinal canal. If the disease has no clear cause, examples include irritable bowel syndrome.
Investigating the Cause:
The doctor will rely on the patient's history and physical examination to consider selecting additional examination methods, especially in cases where abdominal pain is unclear or chronic. If the symptoms do not change, a diagnosis may be given, with treatment and monitoring of symptoms. If the patient responds well to treatment, an initial diagnosis may be made. However, if there is no response to treatment or the symptoms change, further examination will be necessary. Additional examination depends on the suspected cause of abdominal pain, such as blood tests, urine tests, stool tests, radiological examinations, endoscopy, tissue biopsies, etc.
Treatment:
The doctor will provide comprehensive treatment for the suspected cause and treat the symptoms while waiting for clear test results.
With best wishes, from the Gastrointestinal System Center.
