Pain in the abdomen is one of the symptoms that must necessarily attract attention. Observing its localization, intensity, concomitant symptoms, you can conduct a preliminary diagnosis and understand what exactly causes discomfort.
In most cases, abdominal pain lasting more than an hour, of high intensity, and especially with fever and related symptoms, is the reason for going to the doctor!
What to do if your stomach hurts?
If your stomach is sick, you first need to understand in which area the sensation appeared. It is necessary to calm down, to sit down, if necessary - to unfasten clothes, to listen to sensations. A complex system of innervation of the abdominal organs does not always make it possible to immediately understand what and where it hurts, but try to fix the sensation, its intensity and dislocation is necessary, the doctor will need information.
It is also worth considering why pain could occur. Perhaps you just didn’t eat anything for a long time, and you need a snack. However, even with severe pain, do not immediately grab on painkillers, it is better to wait until the doctor arrives.
Indigestion and abdominal pain
Low-intensity pain, passing quickly enough, is a sign of poor-quality food. Regular pain in the upper abdomen, in the area where the ribs meet, may be a sign of gastritis.It is accompanied by discomfort, there may be bouts of nausea, vomiting. Pain in the upper right or middle right side of the abdomen can talk about problems with the bile ducts and gall bladder, about cholecystitis.
The right middle part is also associated with the liver, pain can be associated with malfunctions of this organ.
Pain and cramping in the lower abdomen
In the middle and lower abdomen is the intestine, genitourinary system. Pain in this area with bloating can occur due to flatulence, that is, with the accumulation of gases in the intestines. Irritable bowel syndrome, poor-quality food - all this can cause intestinal pain, colic.
Also, pain in the middle, lower abdomen is fraught with intestinal flu, which gives first pain in the throat, and then problems with the intestines against a background of fever. Any other inflammation in the intestine also gives pains of varying intensity in this area. This applies to ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, other diseases. Acute abdominal pain with blood leaving with feces - a sign of intestinal perforation, you must immediately consult a doctor!
Genitourinary infections also cause pain in the lower abdomen. If the kidneys hurt, the pain is localized closer to the sides, and can be perceived as lower back pain. Pyelonephritis, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) - all problems within the urinary tract are usually associated with increased urge to urinate, pain in this process. Blood may appear in the urine.
Abdominal pain in women
Many women experience pain during the onset of menstruation, considering the situation is quite normal. However, such symptoms may indicate endometriosis, fibroids, and other diseases. Particular attention should be paid to a situation where pain sharply intensifies, is accompanied by temperature, when painkillers stop helping. It is dangerous when sensations haunt not only during menstruation, but also in other periods. If a woman is over 25 years old, but pain along with menstruation arose for the first time, it should also see a doctor.
When should I call a doctor immediately for abdominal pain?
There are situations when abdominal pain requires the immediate attention of a surgeon. Exacerbation or perforation of a gastric ulcer, appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, urolithiasis are manifested with severe pain in the abdomen, they require immediate placement of a person in a hospital.
Thus, pain in the abdomen can be a dangerous, insidious symptom. They require attention, in many cases, going to the doctor, because they arise not only from poor-quality food, but also with infectious diseases, inflammations, and other dangerous processes.
