The majority of the time, abdominal pain is not severe. However, sudden onset of severe stomach pain usually invariably denotes a serious issue. The pain may be the only indication that surgery is necessary, thus it needs to be treated very away.

When compared to younger/healthier adults with a similar disorder, older adults, people with HIV infection, people on immunosuppressants (including corticosteroids), and people who are taking corticosteroids may have less stomach discomfort.

Even if the condition is significant, the pain may also develop more gradually. Infants and young children, in particular, may experience abdominal pain but are unable to express their concern.

What is abdominal pain?

The abdomen experiences abdominal pain. The pubic ramus, the lower edge of the ribs, the flanks on either side, and the diaphragm above serve as the anatomical borders for the abdomen.

The term "abdominal pain" is typically used to denote discomfort originating from organs within the abdominal cavity, even though pain can also come from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (such as the skin and muscles).

The stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas are among the organs of the abdomen.

Technically, the lowermost part of the previously stated region is the pelvis, which houses the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women and the urinary bladder and rectum in males, as well as the prostate gland.

Frequently, it might be challenging to distinguish between pelvic pain, which originates in the lower abdomen, and lower abdominal discomfort.

Occasionally, discomfort may be felt in the abdomen even when it originates from an organ outside of the abdominal cavity, such as the lower lungs, kidneys, uterus, or ovaries.

On the other hand, it is also conceivable for pain caused by internal organs to be felt externally. For instance, the back may be the location of pancreatic inflammation pain.

 Due to the fact that these latter types of pain do not begin in the area where it is felt, they are referred pains. Instead, the cause is said to be in a distinct location from where it is perceived.

What causes abdominal pain?

Inflammation of an organ (such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or colitis), stretching or distention of an organ (such as obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gallstones, or swelling of the liver with hepatitis), or loss of blood supply to an organ (such as ischemic colitis) are all potential causes of abdominal pain.

However, stomach pain can also happen without any of these symptoms, which further complicates the situation.

The latter is best exemplified by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

 Although the exact cause of the abdominal discomfort in IBS is unknown, it is thought to result from either aberrant intestinal muscle contractions (such as spasm) or excessively sensitive nerves within the intestines that cause painful sensations to arise unnecessarily (visceral hyper-sensitivity).

Because no recognizable specific abnormality to account for the source of the pain has yet been discovered, this is frequently referred to as functional pain.

What is the type and pattern of the pain?

Is it harsh, tense, and constant, or does it wax and wane? The contraction of the intestinal muscles and intestinal distention that result from obstruction of the intestine first generate waves of crampy agony. True cramp-like pain denotes intestines that are contracting hard.

Gallstone obstruction of the bile ducts often results in upper abdominal pain that is consistent (constant) and lasts between 30 minutes and several hours.

Typically, acute pancreatitis causes excruciating, constant pain in the upper back and belly.

Acute appendicitis can initially cause discomfort close to the umbilicus, but as the inflammation gets worse, the pain shifts to the right lower abdomen.

Over time, pain's characteristics may alter. For instance, obstruction of the bile ducts can occasionally lead to acute cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder that may or may not be infected. When this occurs, the symptoms become inflammatory pain-like.

How long does the pain last?

IBS discomfort frequently comes and goes over the course of months or years and may persist for decades.

Biliary colic only lasts for a few hours.

Pancreatitis causes pain that lasts one to several days.

Periodically, the pain associated with acid-related conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or duodenal ulcers often lasts for weeks or months, getting worse and then getting better.

This same periodic pattern of pain may be seen in functional pain.

What lifestyle choices can I make to prevent abdominal pain?

Adapting your lifestyle will mostly rely on the source of your pain.

To lessen your likelihood of experiencing specific causes, maintain a nutritious diet, get some exercise, and abstain from smoking and excessive alcohol usage.

You can lessen your risk of being sick from many infectious causes by practicing good hygiene, particularly hand washing, and avoiding objects and meals contaminated with viruses and bacteria.

More about other pain : Somatic Pain , Visceral Pain