Introduction
Depending on the localization, abdominal pain can have different causes. In some cases, the localization of the pain can already indicate the possible cause. Diseases of the intestine, i.e. the intestinal loops, usually cause abdominal pain, which is localized in the middle to lower abdomen. Since the intestine extends over the entire abdomen, pain can occur on the right, left or middle of an intestinal loop.
Causes of pain in an intestinal loop
There are various diseases that can cause pain in an intestinal loop. The uppermost part of the intestine is the duodenum. Ulcers can develop here that resemble stomach ulcers.
Such ulcers can cause severe pain, which is usually localized in the upper abdomen. Entrapments of parts of the intestine (hernias) can occur in inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias and scarred hernias. A small part of the intestine passes through a gap in the abdominal wall or through the inguinal canal; this is called a hernia.
If it is constricted within this gap, one speaks of an incarceration. Such an incarceration can cause severe pain. A reduced blood supply to the intestine (intestinal ischemia) can also cause severe pain in the affected intestinal loops.
The same applies to an acute intestinal obstruction (ileus), in which the intestinal contents cannot be transported further due to an obstruction. Furthermore, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can lead to abdominal pain. Diverticulitis, an inflammation of colon protuberances, also leads to pain in the affected intestinal sections.
But even relatively harmless diseases, such as a simple gastroenteritis, can cause pain in the intestinal area. In some people, small mucous membrane protrusions, the so-called diverticula, occur at an advanced age. This is known as diverticulosis.
In most cases, such a diverticulosis is located in the sigmoid colon, a part of the colon. Risk factor for the formation of diverticula are a low-fiber diet and – as a result – frequent constipation. Diverticulosis itself does not cause any complaints.
However, there may be inflammation in the area of the diverticula, in which case one speaks of diverticulitis. This is accompanied by pain in the left lower abdomen. Fever can also occur.
In rare cases, the intestine may rotate around itself. This is called an intestinal engulfment. Due to this twisting, the intestinal contents can no longer be transported and the blood supply to the intestine is often impaired.
This results in severe pain in the affected part of the intestine. An engulfment of the bowel is potentially life-threatening, since without intervention the affected part of the bowel can die. Usually, surgical treatment is necessary.
An intestinal loop can become trapped in various types of hernia (inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, scar hernia), in which parts of the intestine can pass through a gap in the abdominal wall and become constricted. Small hernias without incarceration usually cause no discomfort, but can be palpable as a small bulge through the skin. If an incarceration occurs, the blood supply to the incarcerated part of the intestine may be significantly restricted and the intestinal contents can no longer be transported. This results in severe pain in the affected intestinal section. If an intestinal loop becomes trapped, rapid surgical treatment is usually necessary.
