Brief overview
- Description:Acute or chronic pain in the abdomen of varying location (right, left, bilateral) and characteristics (stabbing, pulling, colicky, etc.).
- Causes:Menstruation, endometriosis, inflammation of the prostate, torsion of the testicles tumors of the genital organs, urinary tract infection, urinary stones, constipation, appendicitis.
- When to see a doctor?In case of atypical and long-lasting abdominal pain, in case of further symptoms of illness such as fever, vomiting; in case of pressure pain in the abdomen, increasing pain, circulatory problems Call emergency medical service.
- Examinations: Doctor-patient interview, physical examination, blood, stool and/or urine examination, gynecological and/or urological examination, smear test, ultrasound, colonoscopy, laparoscopy.
What is abdominal pain?
Colloquially, the term “abdomen” is often heard. However, physicians rather speak of “lower abdomen”.
Which organs are located in the lower abdomen?
The organs of the pelvis are located in the lower abdomen:
- Female sex organs or the majority of the male sex organs.
- Urinary bladder together with the urethra and the ureters coming from the kidneys
- Lower intestinal tract
Characteristics of pain
They vary in intensity: from mild to very severe abdominal pain. And also in different ways: for example, as a dull squeezing, pulling or stabbing in the abdomen.
It is also important to distinguish between acute and chronic abdominal pain: acute symptoms occur suddenly and often for the first time, while chronic pain is constant or recurring.
Abdominal pain: Causes
Among others, other diseases of the digestive organs or urinary tract are often the origin of pain in the abdomen.
Female reproductive organs
Abdominal pain in women is very often related to gynecological problems such as:
- Endometriosis: In this benign disease, endometrium is also found outside the uterus, especially often in the abdomen, peritoneum and small pelvis. The disease is cycle-dependent, as endometriosis foci follow the monthly cycle. Severe menstrual pain and stinging in the abdomen are typical.
- Ectopic pregnancy: In this case, the fertilized egg nests in the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. When the embryo grows, the fallopian tube may burst, sometimes resulting in severe abdominal pain, bleeding and/or infection. This is when the medical emergency of “acute abdomen” occurs.
- Inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (adnexitis): inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries often occur in combination as so-called adnexitis. The cause is usually germs (such as chlamydia, gonococci) that rise from the vagina via the uterus. Acute adnexitis is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, discharge, spotting and sometimes vomiting.
- Uterine prolapse: Uterus sinks in the pelvis, in extreme cases it even protrudes completely or partially from the vagina (uterine prolapse). Typical symptoms are abdominal pain or a feeling of pressure and fullness. Sometimes, among other things, back pain, urinary urgency, constipation and pain during urination/bowel movement; sometimes uncontrolled urination.
Male reproductive organs
Abdominal pain in men is often due to diseases of the prostate, testicles or epididymis:
- Prostatitis: Especially acute inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) causes pain during urination and in the abdomen, as well as during and after ejaculation.
- Testicular torsion: Particularly in childhood, a testicle sometimes twists on its cord. Such testicular torsion causes sudden pain in the affected side of the scrotum; it sometimes radiates to the groin and lower abdomen.
In the case of testicular torsion, there is a risk that the twisted testicle will die, so it is imperative to seek treatment quickly in the hospital!
Digestive tract
In both men and women, abdominal pain may also originate in the digestive tract:
- Constipation: when hard feces back up in the lower intestines, abdominal pain sometimes results.
- Inflamed intestinal diverticula: Inflamed mucosal outpouchings in the colon (diverticulitis) cause dull abdominal pain, often on the left side, because the outpouchings usually form in the descending lower section of the colon. In addition, diverticulitis causes fever, diarrhea, and constipation, among other symptoms.
- Inguinal Hernia (Hernia): Abdominal viscera protruding through a gap in the abdominal wall in the groin; often visible and/or palpable swelling in the groin; sometimes a feeling of pressure, pulling, or pain in the groin (sometimes extending to the testicles/pubic lips).
- Rectal cancer: Colorectal cancer in the lowest section of the intestine (rectum) triggers changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea) and blood in the stool as well as cramp-like pain in the lower abdomen.
- Intestinal obstruction (ileus): A deep-seated intestinal obstruction makes itself felt with symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, stool retention, nausea and vomiting. The affected person needs medical care as soon as possible.
Due to the arterial occlusion, the affected section of the intestine is no longer sufficiently supplied with blood. Therefore, there is a risk that this part of the intestine will die, a mesenteric infarction must be treated by an emergency physician as soon as possible!
Urinary tract
Diseases in the urinary tract are other possible causes of abdominal pain in men and women:
Urinary tract infection: bacterial infections ascending to the urinary bladder or even kidneys typically present with pain during urination, blood in the urine, and dull abdominal pain.
Bladder cancer: Abdominal pain in the area of the flanks may indicate a malignant tumor of the bladder. However, such pain occurs only in an advanced tumor stage. Earlier signs of bladder cancer are often blood in the urine and disturbances in bladder emptying.
Abdominal pain: What to do?
For example, if urinary stones are causing the pain in the abdomen and do not go away on their own, doctors often break up the stones using shock waves or remove them during a cystoscopy. In the case of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (adnexitis), doctors prescribe antibiotics. Surgery is usually needed for testicular torsion, ruptured appendix and ectopic pregnancy.
Home remedies for abdominal pain
- Heat: A hot water bottle or microwaved cherry pit pillow on the abdomen often relieves abdominal pain and cramping.
- Relaxing bath: A warm bath has a similar effect and helps some sufferers with abdominal cramping.
- Light diet: If you have digestive problems, it is advisable to switch to a light diet (such as rusks, rice, plenty of fluids). This can relieve the intestines somewhat.
- Abdominal massage: Gently stroking the abdomen sometimes relieves stabbing pain in the lower abdomen.
Home remedies have their limits. If the discomfort persists over a longer period of time, does not get better or even gets worse, you should always consult a doctor.
Abdominal pain: When to see a doctor?
- The abdominal wall feels hard and tense
- The pain does not subside, but increases as it progresses
- You also experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or constipation
- You notice blood in your stool or urine
- @ Low blood pressure and a rapid pulse occur (possible sign of shock, for example, due to a high blood loss)
Abdominal pain: examinations and diagnosis
Doctors use various methods and examination steps to find the reason for abdominal pain:
Physical examination: The doctor palpates the abdomen. In this way, pressure painful areas, swellings or hardening can be felt. If the abdominal wall is hard and sensitive to pressure, this so-called defensive tension indicates an acute abdomen.
Gynecological examination: In women, gynecological diseases are often the cause of abdominal pain. A gynecologist diagnoses such diseases. In women of childbearing age, a pregnancy test is usually also performed.
Blood, urine and stool examinations: Analysis of blood, urine and stool samples, among other things, provides evidence of inflammation and infection (such as tubal inflammation, inflamed intestinal diverticula) as the cause of abdominal pain.
Pap smears: Swabs (such as from the vagina or male urethra) can be used to detect various infections (such as chlamydia).
Laparoscopy: A laparoscopy is necessary if the other examinations do not clarify the cause of the pain. Through small abdominal incisions, the doctor inserts fine medical devices (including a small camera) into the abdominal cavity to examine the inside more closely. Pathological changes that he discovers in the process are sometimes removed immediately (such as cysts).
