Abdominal pain: definition
Anyone who talks about abdominal pain means primarily complaints in the abuse – this is located between the palpable hip bones and runs from the navel to the pubic area. Severe abdominal pain can be limited to individual parts of the lower abdomen or affect the entire abdomen and be oppressive, pulling or stinging.
What do severe abdominal pains stand for?
Severe abdominal pain is often called a classic woman’s problem, because these complaints are considered to be a side effect of menstruation. But men can also be affected by abdominal pain. They often have a prostate or testicular disorder. Regardless of gender, a disease such as a digestive system disorder or a urinary tract infection can cause severe abdominal pain.
Attention: If the abdominal wall feels very hard and there is severe pain when touched, a so-called "acute stomach" can be responsible for this. This is potentially life-threatening – the emergency doctor should be informed immediately!
Causes of severe abdominal pain
The following causes of severe abdominal pain are possible:
In women
- Menstrual cramps (this also includes cramps, heavy menstrual periods, the period is absent, there is only spotting instead of periods, irregular bleeding)
- endometriosis
- ectopic pregnancy
- Cysts on the ovaries
- Sagging of the uterus
- Inflammation of the lining of the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes
- Benign tumors, e.g. B. Fibroids
- Malignant tumors, such as cervical cancer or ovarian cancer
In men
- Epididymis are inflamed
- Prostate is inflamed
- Prostate Cancer
Non-gender-specific causes of severe abdominal pain
- Urinary tract infection (often accompanied by painful urination)
- urinary stones
- bladder cancer
- appendicitis
- constipation
- Inflammatory bowel disease, e.g. B. Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Inflammation of intestinal bulges
- hernia
- Rectal cancer (cancer in the lower intestine)
- bowel obstruction
- Mesenteric infarction (occlusion of an intestinal artery)
When should I see a doctor for severe abdominal pain?
Not every abdominal pain requires a doctor's check-up immediately. An examination is useful for the following signs:
- The pain is getting worse instead of better.
- The abdominal wall feels hard and hurts when touched.
- There is blood in the stool or urine.
- There are other symptoms, e.g. B. fever, vomiting or nausea.
- Low blood pressure combined with a fast pulse.
Help and tips against severe abdominal pain
Acute pain can be treated with anticonvulsant drugs and pain relievers. Further therapy is determined based on the cause of the abdominal pain. Those affected can also treat minor complaints with home remedies. Well suited are:
- Heat, e.g. B. a hot water bottle on your stomach or a warm bath
- Tea with bearberry leaves for diseases of the urinary tract (e.g. inflammation of the bladder)
- Gentle abdominal massage
- Nutrition: Light food for indigestion