Everyone gets abdominal pain at some point, and some more than others depending on their overall health and diet. While mild abdominal pain symptoms can easily go away on their own, more severe symptoms may be pointing to a bigger issue. This post will cover abdominal pain causes, symptoms, treatment, and when you should see a doctor.
Minor Abdominal Pain Causes
Many cases of abdominal pain are mild and temporary, often resolving without medical treatment. Minor abdominal pain causes include:
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Mild allergic reaction
- Minor constipation
- Lactose intolerance
- Celiac disease
These issues can happen from time to time and are often linked to factors like diet and digestion. Many of these will resolve themselves either on their own or with an over-the-counter medication.
However, if the pain persists for more than a few hours or is paired with vomiting and/or fever, consider seeking medical attention.
Severe Abdominal Pain Causes
Severe abdominal pain can be a sign of illness or serious conditions. Severe causes of abdominal pain can include:
- Kidney stones: Small stones of salt or built-up minerals in urine. These are often painful and may cause severe abdominal pain. These may pass on their own, but sometimes kidney stones need further medical attention or surgery to remove.
- Hernia: When an organ squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or tissue.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. If severe abdominal pain is caused by appendicitis, you’ll need immediate medical attention to have the appendix removed. An inflamed appendix can burst and spread infectious material throughout your abdomen.
- Urinary tract infection: UTIs may seem to be a fairly common occurrence, but left untreated, bacteria can travel to the bladder and eventually the kidneys. Pain in your abdomen, dark cloudy urine, or a burning feeling while urinating may all be symptoms pointing to a UTI that needs medical care.
- Gallstones: Gallstones are the accumulation of solid materials in the gallbladder, mostly caused by cholesterol. If you feel severe pain in the upper part of your abdomen, you may be experiencing gallstones. Treatment for this usually involves removing the gallbladder in its entirety.
- Pancreatitis: The inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland located behind your stomach that helps with your digestion and blood sugar control. You may feel pancreatitis pain in your upper abdomen.
- Abscess: An abscess is a localized pocket of pus caused by an infection. Abscesses form when the body tries to contain bacteria, leading to an inflamed area filled with fluid and white blood cells.
Abdominal Pain Treatments
Home remedies or treatments for mild abdominal pain include:
- For gas, try over-the-counter antacids or medicine that includes the ingredient simethicone
- General pain may benefit from heat therapies like pads or hot water bottles
- Some foods will settle your stomach, including mint or ginger
- Digestive pain can also be remedied by adjusting your eating habits to let your bowels rest, either by fasting or changing up your mealtimes
- Stay hydrated
Symptoms of Abdominal Pain
Depending on the cause, abdominal pain can manifest in a few different ways. Abdominal pain can be as simple as a sore reminder from a particularly ab-heavy workout, or it could mean you have a bit of gas. For some causes, some people experience discomfort while others may experience sharp or intense pains.
Common abdominal pain-related symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Loss of appetite
- Cramping or aching
- Sharp pains
Some symptoms can be mild and short-lived. However, others can become more intense over time. So, pay attention to whether the pain evolves or becomes more prolonged.
When You Should Seek Medical Help
You should seek immediate attention if your abdominal pain comes with these severe symptoms, no matter their duration:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bloody or black stool
- Vomiting blood
- Pain during pregnancy
- High fever
These symptoms, despite their severity, are an immediate cause for concern. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. So, if something feels unusual or concerns you, seeking help from a healthcare provider may be the best thing for you. At the very least, you could get some peace of mind.
How to Get Help for Your Abdominal Pain
Diagnosing abdominal pain often requires more than a physical exam. Depending on your symptoms, healthcare providers may use a combination of imaging, lab testing, and supportive care to identify the underlying cause.
At The Urgency Room, we have access to the following equipment and supplies:
- X-ray
- CT scanner
- Ultrasound
- High-complexity lab work
- Sedation for adults and children
The Urgency Room is owned and operated by the Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA), with its first priority always being the patient. From infant to adult, our facilities are equipped to assess and diagnose your severe abdominal pain without the wait you might experience at an emergency room.
All of our locations have extended hours from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm (later than most medical centers). Locations include Eagan, Vadnais Heights, Woodbury, or Golden Valley.