Abdominal pain used to be dismissed as a typical female complaint. However, men can also be affected by abdominal pain, although less frequently. The causes of abdominal pain are extremely varied, as the pain is not a disease but a symptom. What causes the different types of abdominal pain can have and when you should go to the doctor with pain in the abdomen, you can learn here.
Abdominal pain: when, where, how severe?
The types of discomfort are just as varied: Whether very severe abdominal pain or a mild abdominal pull, cramping or throbbing, left, right or center – all of these characteristics serve to take a medical history and should therefore be closely observed. The doctor will also ask whether the abdominal pain occurs when walking, after eating or drinking certain beverages such as alcohol, whether this pain in the abdomen is a first-time occurrence or a chronic problem. For example, if abdominal pain occurs after occasional drinking of alcohol, the cause is usually in the gastrointestinal tract. However, if alcohol is consumed regularly, lower abdominal pain may indicate damage to organs such as the liver or pancreas. In the case of lower abdominal pain after eating, on the other hand, food intolerances and intolerances must be considered. Therefore, it is important for the physician to know exactly when and where the discomfort occurs and what habits might be related to it.
Severe abdominal pain as an alarm signal
Abdominal pain can occur as a harmless symptom, such as during an acute gastrointestinal upset or menstrual period. However, severe abdominal pain can also be an indication of serious illness. Here, the accompanying symptoms are especially crucial, such as:
- Blood in the stool
- Blood in urine
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
It is also important to clarify whether the abdominal pain radiates to other regions, such as the upper abdomen, back, thighs or complete legs.
Many causes possible
Possible causes and conditions associated with abdominal pain could include:
- Digestive problems such as constipation, flatulence or diarrhea.
- Diseases of the intestinal tract: colon cancer, intestinal obstruction, obstruction of intestinal vessels, intestinal polyps, diverticulitis and abscesses, appendicitis, acute intestinal infection, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Inguinal hernia or abscess in the lumbar muscle
- Tumors
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Kidney disease: Renal colic, kidney stones, or renal pelvic inflammation.
- Urinary problems: Ureteral stones, bladder stones, cystitis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction and irritable bladder.
- Adhesions and scarring of previous surgeries.
- Depression, stress, burn-out syndrome
- Sexual disorders, abuse and trauma, personality disorders.
- Herniated disc
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal damage
Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain is thereby often a sign of acute inflammation, for example, the appendix, urinary tract or ovaries.
Abdominal pain right
If you have pain in the right groin area and also suffer from nausea, vomiting, weakness or fever, there may be an inflammation of the appendix. This is especially common in children and adolescents. Appendicitis must be treated as quickly as possible, as the appendix can burst in extreme cases. If the gallbladder is inflamed, the pain also often radiates to the right lower abdomen. Patients with gallbladder inflammation particularly often report abdominal pain after eating – especially after fatty foods or coffee.
Lower abdominal pain on the left
In older people, on the other hand, inflammation of the colon is typical. Here, the intestinal mucosa bulges outward due to weaknesses in the intestinal muscles. If these so-called diverticula become inflamed, left-sided abdominal pain usually develops. If, in a further step of the inflammation, abscesses or holes form in the intestine, a life-threatening situation exists. In such a case, the entire abdominal cavity may become inflamed.In addition, the left lower abdomen is the most common site of pain in ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Lower abdominal pain on the right and left
Bilateral pain in the flanks may indicate renal pelvic inflammation. Kidney stones, on the other hand, do not trigger pain until a stone enters the ureter. Then the pain takes on a very severe level and moves from the sides into the abdomen. Urinary tract infections, tubal inflammation or ectopic pregnancy also trigger dull to sharp pain or pulling on one or both sides in the abdomen.
Abdominal pain in the middle
Pain that cannot be clearly localized is often characteristic of IBS. Bloating, constipation and diarrhea often accompany the diffuse abdominal pain. Pain or a pulling sensation in the midline of the abdomen may also occur with acute inflammation of the bowel or prostate.
Abdominal pain when walking
Pain in the abdomen that appears exclusively or intensified during walking can have many different causes. Tense back or pelvic muscles or side stitching are possible. Organic problems can also be the cause of the pain. If the complaints occur repeatedly or do not subside, you should consult a doctor to clarify the pain.
Abdominal pain in women
In addition to the above-mentioned causes, gender-specific diseases can also be manifested by abdominal pain. Thus, many women-specific diseases are accompanied by abdominal pain: for example, endometriosis, a painful disease of the lining of the uterus. But also a myoma, an inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovary, as well as ovarian cancer or an ovarian cyst lead to abdominal pain. An ovarian cyst develops during ovulation and is characterized by unilateral abdominal pain. It causes pain especially when it bursts or turns. This can happen especially in young women who are active in sports. Furthermore, lower abdominal pain associated with discharge, intermenstrual bleeding or even heavy bleeding (including menopausal) indicates diseases of the uterus, such as:
- Cancer of the uterus
- Cervical Cancer
- Uterine prolapse
- A backward tilted uterus
- Uterine inflammation
Malformations, vaginal stenosis and varicose veins in the pelvic area can also cause abdominal pain. In the latter, the pain radiates to the legs and often appears after long periods of sitting or standing.
Chronic abdominal pain
In contrast to these clearly diagnosable conditions, up to 25 percent of women of childbearing age suffer from chronic abdominal pain, also called chronic urogenital pain. Women are said to have chronic abdominal pain when they experience excruciating pain in their abdomen and pelvis for at least six months. With chronic abdominal pain, the triggers are varied. Problems are often caused by chronic inflammations and diseases of the reproductive organs, urinary tract and digestive organs. Tumor diseases are also a possibility. In addition, disorders of the nerves, muscles or spine can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Psychological problems and diseases such as depression are also frequently responsible for abdominal pain. Sometimes, however, no physical causes can be found; the success of therapy is limited. Diagnoses such as vestibulitis (focal vulvitis), levator ani syndrome, interstitial cystitis or vulvodynia are extremely rare and usually only made after a marathon of doctors over several years, but considerably limit the quality of life of those affected.
Abdominal pain due to menstruation
Abdominal pain is often associated with menstruation. Due to the hormonal fluctuations of the female cycle, many women complain of a slight pulling sensation in the abdomen just before or during their period. Some women, especially young girls, are afflicted with cramping or colicky, very severe abdominal pain during menstruation. Severe abdominal pain during the period is called dysmenorrhea. Women who have abdominal pain in the middle of the cycle, feel their ovulation
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle may cause the following symptoms in addition to abdominal pain:
- Depressive moods
- Nervousness and irritability
- Fatigue and decrease in performance
- Acne
- Low blood pressure
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Headache to migraine
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Constipation, diarrhea or flatulence
- Nausea
What helps with abdominal pain during periods?
A hormonal preparation such as the pill can effectively help against abdominal pain. Otherwise, in addition to painkillers, homeopathic medicines, herbal remedies such as monk’s pepper and magnesium supplements can drive away abdominal pain. Proven home remedies for abdominal pain during periods include a hot bath or a hot water bottle on the abdomen.
Abdominal pain and pregnancy
Abdominal pain during pregnancy, while not uncommon, should be closely monitored as it can indicate serious complications. Most often, stretching of the round uterine ligament and growth of the uterus lead to abdominal pain during pregnancy. This can cause mild abdominal tightening (usually at the beginning of pregnancy), but can also cause cramping, severe abdominal pain as the baby grows. If there is a suspicion of being pregnant because menstruation is absent, and then abdominal pain and spotting suddenly begin, there could be an ectopic pregnancy. Heavy bleeding and abdominal pain may indicate miscarriage or abortion. Furthermore, abdominal pain in pregnancy occurs with placental abruption, in the form of premature labor, or in association with a fibroid tumor.
Abdominal pain in men
While women are far more likely to have to deal with abdominal pain than men, they can also be affected by such pain. In men, for example, painful and discolored testicles and pain in the groin area may indicate testicular entension (twisting of the testicle). In addition, the following conditions cause moderate to severe abdominal pain in men:
- Testicular cancer
- Inflammation of the testicles and epididymis
- Prostate cancer
- Prostate adenomas
- Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
Young men and abdominal pain
Younger men in particular often suffer from prostatitis, which is usually manifested by a feeling of pressure and pain in the lower abdomen and urination problems. Acute inflammation of the prostate occurs in particular when bacteria infect the prostate gland. If such an infection does not heal, it can manifest itself as chronic prostatitis. Inflammation of the seminal vesicles also often causes problems with urination. Infections with pathogens that result in inflammation of the urethra and sexually transmitted diseases, among other things, are responsible.
An enlarged prostate is common among men
Benign prostate enlargement usually occurs in men 30 years of age and older and becomes a true common disease as men age: nearly half of men over 50 and nearly every man over 80 has a benign enlarged prostate. However, treatment is only necessary if precisely the parts of the gland that surround the urethra grow. This is because this constriction can cause abdominal pain and problems with urination.
Abdominal pain: when do you need to see a doctor?
If abdominal pain occurs only temporarily and to a tolerable degree, a visit to the doctor is not absolutely necessary. However, if you observe any of the following signs, they should see a doctor immediately:
- Persistent pain that increases in intensity as it progresses
- Additional symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting, stool retention.
- Blood in the urine or stool
- Low blood pressure with a rapid pulse
It is also advisable to consult a doctor for clarification in the case of any other uncharacteristically prolonged or unclassifiable pain in the abdomen.
