Abdominal pain as an alarm signal

Abdominal pain used to be dismissed as a typical female ailment. Men can also be affected by abdominal pain, albeit less frequently. The causes of abdominal pain vary because the pain is not a disease but a symptom. Here, you can find out what causes the different types of abdominal pain and when you should see a doctor with abdominal pain.

Abdominal pain: when, where, and how severe?

The types of complaints are just as varied: very severe abdominal pain or slight abdominal pulling, cramping or throbbing, left, right or in the middle – all of these characteristics serve as an anamnesis and should, therefore, be carefully observed.

The doctor will also ask whether the abdominal pain occurs when walking, after eating or consuming certain drinks such as alcohol, whether this abdominal pain is a first-time occurrence or whether it is a chronic problem. 

If pain in the abdomen occurs, for example, after occasional drinking alcohol, the cause is usually in the gastrointestinal tract. However, with regular alcohol consumption, abdominal pain can indicate damage to organs such as the liver or pancreas. Food and intolerances must be considered in the case of lower abdominal pain after eating. Therefore, the doctor needs to know precisely when and where the symptoms appear and what habits might be related to them.

 

Severe abdominal pain as an alarm signal

Abdominal pain can occur as a harmless symptom, such as during an acute gastrointestinal upset or period. However, severe abdominal pain can also be an indication of serious illnesses. The accompanying symptoms  are significant here, such as:

• blood in the stool
• blood in the urine
• nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomit
• Fever

It is also essential to clarify whether the abdominal pain radiates to other regions, such as the upper abdomen, the back, the thighs or the entire leg.

Many causes possible

Possible causes and diseases associated with abdominal pain could be:

• Digestive problems such as constipation, gas or diarrhoea
• Diseases of the intestinal tract: Colon cancer, intestinal obstruction, blockage of intestinal vessels, intestinal polyps, diverticular inflammation and abscesses, appendicitis, acute intestinal infection, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Hernia or abscess in the lumbar muscle
• tumours
• Bauchaortenaneurysma
• Kidney disease: renal colic, kidney stones or pelvic inflammatory disease
• Urinary tract problems: ureteral stones, bladder stones, cystitis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction and irritable bladder
• Adhesions and scarring from previous operations
• Depression, stress, burn-out syndrome
• sexual disorders, abuse and trauma, personality disorders
• disc prolapse
• Fibromyalgia
• spinal damage

Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain is often a sign of acute inflammation, for example, in the appendix, the urinary tract, or the ovaries.

 

abdominal pain on the right

If you have pain in the right groin area and also suffer from nausea, vomiting, weakness or fever, you may have an inflammation of the appendix. This is particularly common in children and adolescents. Appendicitis must be treated as soon as possible because, in extreme cases, the appendix can burst.

If the gallbladder is inflamed, the pain often radiates to the right abdomen. Patients with gallbladder inflammation frequently report abdominal pain after eating – especially after greasy food or coffee.

abdominal pain on the left

In older people, on the other hand, inflammation of the colon is typical. Here, the intestinal mucosa turns outwards due to weaknesses in the intestinal muscles. If these so-called diverticula become inflamed, abdominal pain usually occurs on the left side. If abscesses or holes form in the intestine in a further step of the inflammation, this is a life-threatening situation. Under certain circumstances, the entire abdominal cavity can become inflamed.

The left lower abdomen is also the most common pain location in ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Abdominal pain on right and left.

Pain in the flanks on both sides can indicate an inflammation of the renal pelvis. Kidney stones, however, only cause pain when a stone enters the ureter. Then, the pain takes on an extreme extent and pulls from the sides into the abdomen.

Urinary tract infections, fallopian tube inflammation or an ectopic pregnancy also trigger dull to stabbing pain or a pulling sensation on one or both sides of the abdomen.

 

Abdominal pain in the middle

Pain that cannot be localized is often characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome. Flatulence, constipation and diarrhoea usually accompany the diffuse abdominal pain.

 Pain or a pulling sensation in the middle of the abdomen can also occur with acute intestinal inflammation or inflammation of the prostate.

abdominal pain when walking

Abdominal pain that occurs exclusively or worsens while walking can have many different causes. Tense back or pelvic muscles or side stitches are possible. Organic problems can also trigger the pain.

If the symptoms persist or don’t go away, you should consult a doctor to clarify the pain.

abdominal pain in women

In addition to the causes mentioned above, gender-specific diseases can also make themselves felt through abdominal pain. Many diseases specific to women are associated with abdominal pain, such as endometriosis, a painful disease of the lining of the uterus. But a fibroid, an inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, as well as ovarian cancer or an ovarian cyst, also lead to abdominal pain.

An ovarian cyst occurs during ovulation and is characterized by unilateral abdominal pain. It causes pain, especially when it ruptures or twists. This can happen especially in young, physically active women.

In addition, pain in the lower abdomen in connection with discharge, intermenstrual bleeding or even heavy bleeding (including during menopause) indicates diseases of the uterus, such as:

• uterine cancer
• cervical cancer
• uterine prolapse
• a backward-tilted uterus
• uterine infections

Malformations, vaginal constrictions and varicose veins in the pelvic area can also trigger abdominal pain. In the latter case, the pain radiates into the legs and often occurs after sitting or standing for a long time.

 

Chronic abdominal pain

In contrast to these diagnosable diseases, up to 25 per cent of women of childbearing age suffer from chronic abdominal pain, also known as chronic urogenital pain. Chronic abdominal pain is when women have excruciating pain in their abdomen and pelvis for at least six months.

There are many triggers for chronic abdominal pain. Chronic inflammation and diseases of the sexual organs, the urinary tract and the digestive organs often cause problems. Tumor diseases are also within the realm of possibility.

In addition, disorders of the nerves, muscles or spine can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Psychological problems and illnesses such as depression are often responsible for abdominal pain.

Sometimes, however, no physical causes can be determined; the success of the therapy is only slight. Diagnoses such as vestibulitis (focal vulvitis), levator ani syndrome, interstitial cystitis or vulvodynia are sporadic and usually only made after a doctor’s marathon of several years. Still, they significantly restrict the quality of life of those affected.

Period-related abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is often associated with periods. Due to the hormonal fluctuations in the female cycle, many women complain of a slight tightening in their lower abdomen shortly before or during their period.

Some women, especially young girls, experience cramping or colicky,  very severe abdominal pain during menstruation  . Severe abdominal pain during menstruation is called  dysmenorrhea . Women who experience abdominal pain in the middle of their cycle feel that they are ovulating.

Due to the hormonal changes during the cycle, the following symptoms may occur in addition to abdominal pain:

• depressive moods
• Nervousness and irritability
• Fatigue and loss of performance
• Acne
• low blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• dizziness
• Headaches and even  migraines
• Loss of appetite
• Vomit
• Constipation, diarrhea or flatulence
• nausea

What helps with abdominal pain during your period?

A hormonal preparation such as the pill can be effective in relieving abdominal pain. In addition to painkillers, homeopathic medicines, herbal remedies such as  chasteberry  and magnesium supplements can also relieve abdominal pain.

Proven home remedies for abdominal pain during your period include a hot bath or a hot water bottle on your abdomen.

 

Abdominal pain and pregnancy

Although abdominal pain during pregnancy is not uncommon, it should be closely monitored as it can be an indication of serious complications.

Most often, stretching of the round ligament and the growth of the uterus lead to abdominal pain during pregnancy. This can cause a slight pulling sensation in the abdomen (usually at the beginning of the pregnancy), but as the baby grows it can also cause cramp-like, severe abdominal pain.

If you suspect you are pregnant because your period has stopped and you suddenly experience abdominal pain and spotting, you may have an ectopic pregnancy. Heavy bleeding and abdominal pain can indicate a  miscarriage  or miscarriage.

Furthermore, abdominal pain during pregnancy occurs in the case of placental abruption, in the form of premature contractions or in connection with a fibroid tumor (fibroma).

Abdominal pain in men

Although women suffer from abdominal pain far more often than men, they can also be affected by such pain. In men, for example, painful and discolored testicles and pain in the groin area can indicate testicular distension (twisting of the testicle).

In addition, the following diseases cause moderate to severe abdominal pain in men:

• Testicular cancer
• Testicular and epididymitis
• Prostate cancer
• Prostate adenoma
• Prostatitis (prostate inflammation)

Young men and abdominal pain

Younger men in particular often suffer from prostatitis, which is usually noticeable through a feeling of pressure and pain in the lower abdomen as well as problems with urination. Acute inflammation of the prostate occurs particularly when bacteria attack the prostate gland. If such an infection does not heal, it can manifest itself as chronic prostatitis.

Seminal vesicle inflammation also often causes problems with urination. The cause is infections with pathogens that can lead to inflammation of the urethra and sexually transmitted diseases, among other things.

 

An enlarged prostate is common among men

Benign prostatic hyperplasia usually occurs in men over the age of 30 and becomes a widespread disease as men get older: almost half of men over 50 and almost every man over 80 have a benign enlarged prostate.

However, treatment is only necessary if the glands that surround the urethra grow. This constriction can lead to abdominal pain and problems with urination.

Abdominal pain: When do you need to see a doctor?

If the abdominal pain is only temporary and tolerable, a visit to the doctor is not necessarily necessary. However, if you notice any of the following signs, you should see a doctor immediately:

• Persistent pain that increases over time
• additional symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting, constipation
• blood in the urine or stool
• low blood pressure with a fast pulse

It is also advisable to consult a doctor for clarification of all other atypically long-lasting or unclassifiable abdominal pain.