Abdominal Pain

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Introduction

Abdominal pain happens in the stomach region and is felt between groin and chest

The pain may be dull, sharp cramp-like or intermittent

Sometimes, the abdominal pain can be caused by the inflammation or diseases affecting the region (Kahn, 2020)

Significant abdominal pains may also be facilitated by the viral, parasitic and bacterial infections

Preventative measures include frequently drinking water, regular exercise, eating healthy diet and eating smaller meals

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Overview of the Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is sometimes referred to as stomach ache or stomach pain

Some of the causes of the abdominal pain include digestive issues, abdominal problems, pelvic issues and chest problems

Most of the children experience abdominal pains from constipation as well as appendicitis, strep throat and milk allergy (Clevelandclinic, 2020)

Treatment options for abdominal pain include providing antibiotics, medicating the inflammation and ulcers, spinal injections and changing the personal behavior.

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Types of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is categorized based on whether it is cramp-like, localized or colicky

Localized pain is found in one area of the abdomen

Cramp-like pain is often associated with constipation, diarrhea and bloating and may be linked to menstruation and miscarriage in women (Kahn, 2020)

Colicky pain is linked to severe conditions such as gallstones and kidney stones

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Review of Anatomy & Physiology

The abdomen is located between the pelvis and the chest and contains all the digestive organs, often held together loosely by connecting tissues.

Some of the main abdomen conditions include the peritonitis, acute abdomen, appendicitis, cholecystitis, dyspepsia, constipation, gastritis, pancreatitis and hepatitis, among others

The main abdomen tests necessary for diagnosis include the physical examination, abdominal x-ray, lower endoscopy, upper endoscopy, MRI scan, abdominal ultrasound and biopsy (Felson, 2020).

The treatment options available for abdominal pain are surgery, proton pump inhibitors, histamine blockers, endoscopy, motility agents and antibiotcs.

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Pathophysiology

The abdominal cavity is bounded by the vertebral column, diaphragm and the upper parts of the pelvic bones.

Main types of abdominal pain are parietal pain, visceral pain, and referred pain

Patient history, physical examinations, laboratory investigations, and imaging investigations are all included during the methodological assessment of abdominal pain (Johnson, 2016)

Causes of upper abdominal pain can be classified based on the right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant and epigastrium, while the lower abdominal pain is classified according to hypogastrium left lower quadrant and the right lower quadrant.

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Methodological Assessments of Abdominal Pain

Assessments of the abdominal pain varies widely and they range from beginning to life-threatening conditions, and are necessary because they help to demonstrate the exact cause of the abdominal pain

Patient history, for instance, is used to acquire information relating to the location of the abdominal pain time of the onset menstrual history for female, past medical history, duration of pain and its severity (Lecturio, 2020)

Physical examination is another form of assessment that involves inspection palpation, percussion and auscultation

Investigations comprises of lab investigations, and imaging investigations

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Treatment Approaches

Over the counter Medications

Stool softener is necessary when one is constipating

Antacid or acid reducer helps in treating heartburn

Simethicone gets rid of the gas pain

Medicines comprising of loperamide eliminate cramping from diarrhea (Lecturio, 2020)

Home Remedies

Eating several smaller meals

Staying away from bothering foods such as spicy or fried foods

Chewing the food well and slowly

Regular exercising

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Treatment Innovations

Treating abdominal pain largely depends on its cause

One may consider self-care measures such as sipping water, resting, avoiding dairy products and sticking to mild fluids

The available medication options may treat gastroesophageal reflux disease or one may be offered with antibiotics and drugs that ease inflammation (Dubrovsky & Lee, 2017)

Innovations relating to procedures and surgery are helpful medications which may include injecting a numbing agent, appendectomy, hernia repair surgery and corticosteroid injections

Alternative and complementary therapies such as hypnosis meditation, and acupuncture have also been embraced in treating abdominal pain in the modern times.

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Prevention of Abdominal Pain

Preventative measures for abdominal pain largely depend on adopting dietary choices and lifestyles since they are likely to address the main causes of such pain

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is a necessary action

Following a balanced diet full of fiber nutrients is ideal in supporting a healthy digestion and eliminate constipation (Miller, 2019)

Developing regular bowel habits also help in avoiding constipation

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Constipation, which makes people to feel bloated and experience sharp gas pains

Peptic Ulcer is related to abdominal pain because it involves a sore which develops in the lining of the stomach making one to experience a burning sensation

Diverticulitis is a condition where small pouches inside one’s colon are infected leading to discomfort (Miller, 2019)

Pancreatitis involves inflammation of the pancreas resulting to severe and sharp pain in the middle of the abdomen

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References

Clevelandclinic. (2020, July 14). Abdominal (Stomach) pain: Causes & when to call the doctor. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4167-abdominal-pain

Dubrovsky, G., & Lee, S. L. (2017). Abdominal pain. Current Treatment Options in Pediatrics, 3(2), 148-156. doi:10.1007/s40746-017-0084-x

Felson, S. (2020, July 9). The abdomen (Human anatomy) – Picture, function, parts, definition, and more. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-abdomen

Johnson, S. B. (2016). Pathophysiology and management of abdominal injury. Oxford Medicine Online. doi:10.1093/med/9780199600830.003.0334

Kahn, A. (2020, December 14). Abdominal pain. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-pain

Lecturio. (2020, October 28). Abdominal pain — Pathophysiology, classification and causes. Retrieved from https://www.lecturio.com/magazine/abdominal-pain/

Miller, B. J. (2019, April 22). What is abdominal pain? Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/abdominal-pain/guide/