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Abdominal Pain: Definition, Description and Causes

Definition of abdominal pain


Abdominal pain or pain in the abdominal area is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. Almost everyone experiences pain in the abdomen at one time or another. Most abdominal pain is not caused by a serious medical problem. There are many organs in the abdomen. Pain in the abdomen can originate from any of the organs in the abdomen, including:
  • Organs related to digestion the end of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
  •  Aorta: a large blood vessel that runs straight down the belly.
  • Appendix: right lower abdominal organs that do not have a lot of functions.
  • Kidney: There are two pieces, shaped like a bean.
  • Spleen: an organ involved in blood maintenance and infection control.
However, the pain may start from somewhere else such as the chest or pelvic area. You may also be exposed to common infections, such as flu or strep throat, which affects many parts of your body.

The intensity of the pain does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition causing the pain. Severe abdominal pain can be from mild conditions, such as intestinal gas or cramping due to viral gastroenteritis. On the other hand, relatively mild pain or no pain may occur with life-threatening conditions, such as colon cancer or early appendicitis.

Another way to describe the pain in your abdomen include:


  • Abdominal pain may be equally, meaning that the pain is more than half of your belly. It is more typical for the virus in the stomach, indigestion, or gas. If the pain becomes more severe, it may be caused by a blockage of the intestine.
  • Pain that is localized only in certain areas of your stomach. E.g. abdominal pain left side, right side abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, or abdominal pain lower left. This type of pain is more likely to be a sign of a problem in one of your organs, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or the ulcers / sores in the stomach.
  • Abdominal cramps, pain is usually not serious, and is more likely due to gas and bloating. Often followed by diarrhea. More worrying signs when the pain occurs more often, lasts longer (more than 24 hours), or accompanied by fever.
  • Colic, the pain that comes in waves, usually starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe. Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes of this type of type of abdominal pain.

Common causes of abdominal pain


Many different conditions can cause abdominal pain. The key knows when you should seek medical care immediately. In many cases you can wait, use home care remedies, and call your doctor if symptoms persist later only.

Possible causes of abdominal pain include:


  • Appendicitis (inflammation appendix)
  • Intestinal blockage or obstruction
  • Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) with or without gallstones
  • chronic constipation
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Dissection
  • diverticulitis
  • Food Allergies
  • Food poisoning (salmonella, shigella) or viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
  • Heartburn, indigestion, or gastro esophageal reflux
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
  • Intussuscepts - although rare, is a serious cause in infants.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Ischemic bowel
  • Kidney stones
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Infarction or mesenteric insufficiency (lack of sufficient blood supply to the gut, sometimes resulting in the failure or death of part of the intestine)
  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Tumors or cancer
  • Ulcers
  • Urinary tract infection
When the inflamed organ (such as the appendix) in the abdomen ruptures or leaks fluid occurs, the pain is not only remarkable, but the abdomen becomes stiff and very susceptible to touch. There is also a fever. This happens due to peritonitis (inflammation and infection of the abdominal cavity lining) develops and spreads from the part of the rupture. This is a medical emergency.

In infants with prolonged crying (often called colic) may be caused by abdominal pain that may end with the passage of gas or stool. Abdominal pain more often worse at night. Hugging and shaking a child can give a sense of relief.

Abdominal pain that occurs during menstruation may be from menstrual cramps or it may indicate a problem in the reproductive organs. This includes conditions such as endometriosis (when tissue from the uterus in one place like the pelvic wall or ovaries), or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (infection of the reproductive organs, usually from a sexually transmitted disease). Ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, abdominal pain like menstrual cramps and bleeding. However, the symptoms are usually more frequent than usual during the menstrual period.

Abdominal pain can actually be caused by an organ in the chest, like the lungs (e.g., inflammation) or heart (heart attack). Or, perhaps derived from muscle strain in the abdominal muscles.

Another unusual cause of such type of emotional disorder called somatization, reflected as physical discomfort. Strep throat in children can cause abdominal pain.

Sickle cell disease can cause abdominal pain. The disease is sometimes mistaken for pain caused by appendicitis or abdominal organs to another.

Shingles (an infection of the nerves associated with a skin rash, which is caused by a pox virus) may cause pain in the abdomen. However, because the rash comes several days after the start of the pain, sometimes misinterpreted as stomach pain caused by appendicitis or abdominal organs to another.
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