What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is a symptom of different diseases. It is the pain felt in the area between the chest and groin. It is produced by different causes, the main ones being: constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies or intolerances or food poisoning. There are different types:
- Burning pain: can be due to gastritis, ulcer or reflux.
- Colicky pain: may mean problems in the intestine such as diarrhea or constipation. In women it may be due to menstrual cramps and may appear in the uterine area.
- Prickling and pins and needles: caused by excess gas or inflammation in the abdomen.
The prognosis may change depending on the condition.
Prognosis of the disease
The prognosis may change depending on the condition. The reasons may vary, from basic situations such as excess gas to more complicated diseases such as appendicitis or kidney stones. A prognosis for gas is not the same as for appendicitis, so first the cause of the abdominal pain must be carefully studied and the most appropriate action taken. There are some indications that may mean a more serious disease, such as:
- Fever above 38 ºC
- Vomiting
- Blood in the stool
- Sudden weight loss
- Apathy or pallor
Symptoms of abdominal pain
The symptoms are what can define the type of pathology that is present in the patient. An abdominal pain may arise as a consequence of indigestion, but when the pain is severe it could be indicating a more serious problem related to the appendix, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, etc.
Medical tests for abdominal pain
There are different types of medical tests depending on the type of abdominal pain:
- Colonoscopy
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Endoscopy
- Abdominal and pelvic CT scan
- Blood test
- UREA C 13 test
- ECG
- Amylase, lipase and abdominal ultrasonography
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
The causes are very diverse, it is important to identify when to seek immediate medical attention. Among the most notable causes are:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Allergies or intolerances
- Food poisoning
- Gastroenteritis
- Constipation
- Appendicitis
- Intestinal blockage
- Diverticulitis
- Ulcers
- Helicobacter pylori infection,
- Parasitosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Hiatal hernia
- Defective irrigation of the myocardium
- Affection of the pancreas
Can it be prevented?
Abdominal pain can be prevented by following a balanced diet, eating slowly and in moderate amounts. All this will help digestion. In addition, weight should be controlled by exercising for it. Stress can also affect the whole body, which can cause cramping and even nausea.
Treatments for abdominal pain
Treatment depends on the cause and location of the pain. The specialist will be in charge of indicating the most appropriate treatment after performing physical examinations. Some of the treatments to treat mild problems are usually:
- Antacids in case of stomach pain due to digestion or reflux.
- Antiflatulents that relieve pain caused by gas or diarrhea.
- Antibiotics are used to treat infections.
What specialist treats it?
The specialist who treats this pathology is an expert in digestive system. The Digestive System specialty is a branch of medicine that studies the entire digestive tract: esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum and anus, as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. It deals with both normal and pathological conditions, as well as the repercussions that digestive diseases may have on the whole organism, diseases of other organs and systems on the digestive tract.