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ABDOMINAL PAIN

  • Abdominal pain may be described as:

    • Generalized pain. Abdominal pain felt in more than half of the abdomen; commonly caused by a stomach virus, indigestion, or virus; severe pain may be caused by a blockage in the intestines.

    • Localized pain. Abdominal pain in one part of the abdomen; commonly caused by an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.

    • Cramp-like pain. Commonly caused by gas and bloating and followed by diarrhea.

    • Colicky pain. Abrupt and severe pain that comes in waves; commonly caused by kidney stones and gallstones.

  • Abdominal pain may be caused by a range of conditions, including:

    • Abdominal aortic aneurysm

    • Appendicitis

    • Cholangitis

    • Cholecystitis

    • Cystitis

    • Diabetic ketoacidosis

    • Diverticulitis

    • Duodenitis

    • Ectopic pregnancy 

    • Fecal impaction

    • Heart attack

    • Injury

    • Intestinal obstruction

    • Intussusception (in children)

    • Kidney infection

    • Kidney stones

    • Liver abscess

    • Mesenteric ischemia

    • Mesenteric lymphadenitis

    • Mesenteric thrombosis

    • Pancreatitis

    • Pericarditis

    • Peritonitis

    • Pleurisy

    • Pneumonia

    • Pulmonary infarction

    • Ruptured spleen

    • Salpingitis

    • Sclerosing mesenteritis

    • Shingles

    • Spleen infection

    • Splenic abscess

    • Torn colon

    • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

    • Viral gastroenteritis

    ​

    Chronic abdominal pain may be caused by:

    • Angina

    • Celiac disease

    • Endometriosis

    • Functional dyspepsia

    • Gallstones

    • Gastritis

    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

    • Hiatal hernia

    • Inguinal hernia

    • Irritable bowel syndrome

    • Mittelschmerz

    • Ovarian cysts

    • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

    • Peptic ulcer

    • Sickle cell anemia

    • Strained or pulled abdominal muscle

    • Ulcerative colitis

    ​

    Abdominal pain that becomes worse over time is often accompanied by other symptoms, and may be caused by:

    • Cancer

    • Crohn’s disease

    • Enlarged spleen

    • Gallbladder cancer

    • Hepatitis

    • Kidney cancer

    • Lead poisoning

    • Liver cancer

    • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

    • Pancreatic cancer

    • Stomach cancer

    • Tubo-ovarian abscess

    • Uremia

  • Patients should call 911 or visit the emergency room if they experience any of the following symptoms:

    • Inability to pass stool accompanied with vomiting

    • Vomiting blood

    • Blood in the stool (bright red, maroon, or dark, tarry black)

    • Chest, neck, or shoulder pain

    • Sudden, sharp abdominal pain

    • Tenderness in the belly

    • Rigid or hard to the touch belly

    • Difficulty breathing

    • Pain in, or between, the shoulder blades and nausea

    ​

    Patients should also seek medical attention if they’re currently being treated for cancer, pregnant or could be pregnant, or had a recent injury to the abdomen.

  • At Premier Urgent Care, patients can experience lasting pain relief after treatment with injections and pain management techniques.


    Joint and soft tissue injections, such as nerve blocks, epidural injections, piriformis injections, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections, could help alleviate certain forms of abdominal pain.
     

    Pain management techniques can also help patients minimize abdominal pain through cold and heat therapy, gentle exercise, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, cognitive behavior therapy, yoga, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, music therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

  • Abdominal pain caused by severe injuries or illness may require advanced treatment. Premier Urgent Care supports patients needing a range of treatments. Staff is available to answer any questions about obtaining advanced treatment.

Abdominal pain is common, and typically not serious. However, pain that persists or seems unusual may require medical attention.

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