Abdominal pain may easily be written off as simple indigestion pain, that most individuals go through occasionally in their lifetime. But other times, abdominal pain may be an indicator of a severe health condition. Attention should be given to the severity, duration and other signs that may accompany the pain. Following are five hazardous health conditions that commonly start with abdominal pain and necessitate immediate medical care.
Peptic ulcers
Ulcers are open sores that occur within the lining of stomach or the upper portion of the small intestine. They result in a burning pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen frequently between meals or at night. The peptic ulcer disease (PUD) mechanism is caused by an imbalance between gastric mucosal destructive and protective factors. Other symptoms may include, uncontrolled bloating, nausea and heartburn. If ulcers are not treated, they can cause internal bleeding or perforation of the stomach lining.
Gallstones
Gallstones are solidified pieces of digestive liquid that occurs in gallbladder. They may cause the normal bile juices flow to be blocked, resulting in severe pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper part, usually after eating fatty or processed foods. This pain is usually sharp and may persist from a few minutes to a few hours and is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting and even jaundice. If the gallstones are leading to gallbladder inflammation, one needs medical care at once.
Diverticulitis
Small sacs in the wall of the colon are referred to as diverticula, and when these become infected or inflamed that is when it leads to a condition referred to as diverticulitis, leading to severe pain in the left lower abdomen accompanied by fever, nausea and bowel habit change. Severe conditions can lead to complications such as perforation of the colon, as well as abscesses.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a disease of the female reproductive organs commonly caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. It usually causes lower abdominal pain, fever, abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain-with intercourse or urination. Untreated PID can result in major consequences such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach, stretching across the body, that aids in digestion and blood sugar control. It results in intense pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back. The pain typically gets better or worse after eating and is followed by nausea and vomiting. Pancreatitis is either acute or chronic, and in severe cases, it can result in organ failure. Early diagnosis and management are imperative to control the condition and avoid complications.
How to know when to seek medical attention
While ordinary abdominal pain is usually not dangerous, some symptoms need immediate medical-attention. These are sudden-intense pain, pain for more than a few hours, pain with a fever, vomiting, blood in the stool or vomit, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or trouble breathing. If you have any of these symptoms, visit a health provider immediately, before its too late.
