Abdominal pain (stomach ache) ranges from a mild to severe pain. There are many organs in the stomach cavity and any disorder in these organs may cause stomach pain. Abdominal pain can be diffuse, or localised at one point.
What is Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal Pain is a sensation of discomfort or distress in the abdominal region. You may also experience tenderness, burning, or pressure in this area. The abdomen is the part of your body that extends from your chest to your groyne and is separated into 4 quadrants: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.
This type of pain is usually temporary and often disappears when you change your position or relax. However, if the pain is severe and/or lasts for more than 24 hours, it could be a medical emergency. If you have abdominal pain accompanied by fever or blood in your stool, seek medical attention immediately.
What Causes it?
It is a pain that occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. It can be cramp-like, achy, dull, or sharp. It’s often called a stomachache.
Pain in the abdomen is sometimes difficult to diagnose because so many organs are in this part of the body. Large organs such as the liver and kidneys lie near small ones like the gallbladder and pancreas.
Sometimes a problem in an organ in another area of your body can cause pain in your abdomen. For example, an inflamed appendix will first cause pain near the belly button but may later move downward toward the lower right side.
It can take time and tests to find out where a person’s stomach ache is coming from.
Abdominal Pain Symptoms
The most common symptoms are:
- A dull ache
- A sharp pain
- Cramps
- A burning sensation
- Pain that radiates to your back or down your legs
Other symptoms that may accompany includes:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Inability to pass gas
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
First aid for Abdominal Pain:
- Check to see if you have any other symptoms that could help explain the cause of it. These might include: Bloody stool Fever Nausea Vomiting Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Constipation Dizziness Bloating Weight loss Swelling in the abdomen Difficulty breathing Coughing up blood Chest pain Bleeding from vagina Back pain
- Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on your abdomen to ease cramps. If you don’t have a hot water bottle or heating pad, take a warm bath instead. Do not use heat if you are pregnant or have a swollen abdomen.
- Lie down on your left side with your knees pulled into your chest to ease the pain due to gas, indigestion or menstrual cramps.
Almost everyone has pain in the abdomen at some point. Most of the time, it is not serious. There are many organs in the stomach cavity and any one of them can cause pain.
The location of pain depends on which organ is affected. The severity of abdominal pain also varies depending on what’s causing it and where it’s located.
Whether you have a stomachache, cramps, or a gurgling belly, there are things you can do to feel better right away.
Please note that regular First Aid and CPR Training is the best way to make sure that you’re prepare in the case of an emergency. Book a course with us!
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