The abdomen houses many organs like the liver, stomach, and reproductive organs. There are also major blood vessels, so if you feel any persisting abdominal pain, don’t disregard it and talk with your doctor as you might need medications or even a gastrointestinal endoscopy to check the underlying cause. It can start with various conditions like urinary tract infection, cramps, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Here are some possible illnesses commonly associated with abdominal pain:
6 Usual Abdominal Pain Causes
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Indigestion
Indigestion or dyspepsia is the discomfort in your upper abdomen. Its common symptoms include abdominal pain or feeling of fullness when you start eating. It can also be a symptom of other digestive diseases. Although it’s a common problem for most people, the experience may be different for each individual. The symptoms can be felt occasionally or daily.
It may be caused by stomach acid in contact with the sensitive lining of the digestive system. When the acid breaks down the lining, it can lead to painful inflammation and irritation.
Some common symptoms of indigestion include an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, discomfort in the abdomen, bloating, and nausea. Call your doctor right away if the pain gets severe or if it’s accompanied by weight loss, vomiting with blood, fatigue, or weakness.
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Constipation
Abdominal pain usually occurs when you have constipation. It can be caused by medications you’re taking, your lifestyle or maybe a medical condition. Because of this, your bowel movements may become less frequent and stools are difficult to pass. You should seek medical help if you experience severe pain or if it lasts more than three weeks.
Common symptoms include having less than three bowel movements in one week, abdominal pain, bloating or general stomach ache. Usual causes are not drinking enough water, not enough exercise, and stress.
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Menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea are throbbing pains experienced in the lower abdomen. Women usually experience this discomfort before or during their menstrual period. It can be severe enough to last for a few days and interrupt everyday activities. It can range from mild to severe, and usually happen when a girl gets her first period. It usually becomes less painful with age and can stop after having your first baby.
Common symptoms are cramping pain in your lower abdomen that starts 1 to 3 days before your period, a dull, continuous ache, and pain that reaches to the lower back and thighs.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a common and long-term condition in your digestive system that includes stomach cramps, diarrhea or constipation. It usually affects people 20 to 30 years of age. Symptoms may vary among people and it doesn’t increase your chances of having other bowel-related illness or cancer. It can worsen sometimes when you’re experiencing stress or eating high-fiber food or gluten.
It can be managed by having a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress levels, and staying hydrated. Your doctor can also prescribe certain medications to help treat your IBS.
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Food poisoning
Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food with bacteria, viruses, or toxins. Infectious organisms can contaminate food in production and if food is incorrectly cooked or handled. Most cases of food poisoning cause diarrhea, vomiting or nausea. The symptoms can start within a short time after ingesting contaminated food. Usually, food poisoning is mild, but there are cases that people need to seek medical help.
Common symptoms include stomach cramps and vomiting that may start as early as 1 hour. However, there are symptoms that can be life-threatening like dizziness, repeated vomiting, fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 days.
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Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection or UTI is caused by bacteria that affect the urinary system. If untreated, the infection can spread to the kidneys in the upper urinary tract. UTIs can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, and ureters. Common symptoms include frequent and painful urination, strong-smelling urine, and lower abdominal pain.
Adjusting your diet can help prevent having UTI. Avoid sugar as it worsens the infection, carbohydrates, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. Some spicy foods can irritate the bladder, as well as highly acidic fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. Stay away from coffee and other caffeinated drinks and drink a lot of water.
There are lots of conditions that can cause abdominal pain. It’s important not to disregard any symptom and consult with your doctor right away to avoid it from getting worse. Maintain proper exercise, sleep, and diet to avoid experiencing these illnesses.
