Abdominal pain overview: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 15:15, 14 June 2013

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with many transient disorders or serious diseases. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult because many diseases present with this symptom, abdominal pain is a common problem. Most frequently the cause of the pain is benign and/or self-limited, but in cases of serious causes urgent intervention may be required.

Classification

Abdominal pain can be classified into three categories: acute abdomen, recurrent, and chronic functional. Abdominal pain is traditionally described by its chronicity (acute or chronic), progression over time, nature (sharp, dull, colicky, characterization of the factors that worsen or alleviate pain, and distribution of the pain.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination

When a physician assesses a patient to determine the etiology and subsequent treatment for abdominal pain, the patient's history of the presenting complaint and their physical examination should derive a diagnosis in over 90% of cases. It is important also for a physician to remember that abdominal pain can be caused by problems outside the abdomen, especially heart attacks and pneumonias which can occasionally present as abdominal pain.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiograph is needed to rule out a heart attack, which can occasionally present as abdominal pain.

X Ray

Imaging including an erect chest X-ray and plain films of the abdomen can aid in the diagnosis of the disorder causing the abdominal pain.

References

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 ==Classification==
+Abdominal pain can be classified into three categories: acute abdomen, recurrent, and chronic functional. Abdominal pain is traditionally described by its chronicity (acute or chronic), progression over time, nature (sharp, dull, [[colic]]ky, characterization of the factors that worsen or alleviate pain, and distribution of the pain.
-===Acute Abdomen===
-'''Acute abdomen''' refers to a sudden, severe pain in the [[abdomen]] that is less than 24 hours in duration.  It is in many cases an emergency condition requiring urgent and specific diagnosis.  Treatment usually involves surgery.
-===Recurrent Abdominal Pain===
-Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) occurs in 5–15% of female children 6–19 years old. In a community-based study of middle and high school students, 13–17% had weekly abdominal pain. Using criteria for [[irritable bowel syndrome]] (IBS), 14% of high school students and 6% of middle school students fit the criteria for adult IBS. As with other difficult to diagnose chronic medical problems, patients with RAP account for a very large number of office visits and medical resources in proportion to their actual numbers.
-===Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain===
-Chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP) is the ongoing presence of [[abdominal pain]] for which there is no known medical explanation.  It is quite similar to, but less common than, [[Irritable Bowel Syndrome]] (IBS), and many of the same treatments for IBS can also be of benefit to those with CFAP.  The fundamental difference between IBS and CFAP is that in CFAP, unlike in IBS, there is no change in bowel habits such as [[constipation]] or [[diarrhea]].  Bowel dysfunction is a necessary diagnostic criteria of IBS.
 ==Diagnosis==