Abdominal pain overview
Template:Abdominal ain 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
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
Physical Examination
When a physician assesses a patient to determine the etiology and subsequent treatment for abdominal pain, the patients 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.