Abdominal Pain Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Anatomical landmarks, front view Digestive system Show all 6 photos Abdominal pain Definition Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. Alternative Names Stomach pain; Pain - abdomen; Belly ache; Abdominal cramps Considerations There are many organs in the abdomen. Pain in the abdomen can originate from any one of them, including: Organs related to digestion -- the end of the esophagus, the stomach, the small and large intestines, the liver, the gallbladder, and the pancreas. The aorta -- a large blood vessel that runs straight down the inside of the abdomen The appendix -- an organ in the lower right abdomen that no longer serves much function The kidneys -- two bean shaped organs that lie deep within the abdominal cavity The spleen -- an organ involved in blood maintenance and infection control However, the pain may start from somewhere else -- like your chest or pelvic area. You may also have a generalized infection, such as the flu or strep throat, that 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 gas or the cramping of viral gastroenteritis. On the other hand, relatively mild pain or no pain may be present with life-threatening conditions, such as cancer of the colon or early appendicitis. Common Causes Many different conditions can cause abdominal pain. The key is to know when you must seek medical care right away. In many cases you can simply wait, use home care remedies, and call your doctor at a later time only if the symptoms persist. Possible causes include: Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) Bowel obstruction Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) with or without gallstones Chronic constipation Dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm Diverticular disease, including diverticulitis Easly-stage shingles (a viral infection where pain begins before the appearance of a rash) Excessive gas Food allergy Food poisoning (salmonella, shigella) Gastroesophageal reflux Heartburn or indigestion Hernia Infectious mononucleosis Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) Intussusception -- while uncommon, this is a serious possible cause of pain in an infant who may be bringing the knees to the chest and crying Irritable bowel syndrome Kidney stones Lactose intolerance Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Parasitic infections (Giardia) Sickle cell crisis Spinal fracture Ulcers Urinary tract infections Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) ... Continue reading this article

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