This article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Department of Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International GeneralThis article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Department of Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General HospitalThis article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Department of Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Lower abdominal pain means pain in the abdomen below the navel. Lower abdominal pain is one of the symptoms of many diseases related to the reproductive system, digestive system, etc.
1. What is the lower abdomen?
The lower abdomen is the lowest area of the abdomen below the navel or pelvic area - Pain that occurs in this area is called lower abdominal pain.
In women, the causes of lower abdominal pain can be due to the reproductive system, urinary system, digestive system, etc.
In men, lower abdominal pain can originate from diseases such as colitis, inguinal hernia, pelvic pain, etc.
Each cause manifests itself in different types of pain, it can be dull or sharp, even intermittent pain with levels ranging from mild to severe.
Sometimes, lower abdominal pain can also spread to the lumbar region, buttocks or thighs. In particular, the pain can be felt more clearly when you urinate or during sex.
2. Causes of lower abdominal pain
The causes of lower abdominal pain are divided into two main types: acute lower abdominal pain and chronic lower abdominal pain.
2.1 Causes of acute lower abdominal pain
The causes of acute lower abdominal pain include:
Rupture or torsion of a cyst in a fluid-filled place such as the ovary, leading to pain in the lower abdomen.
Inflammation of the upper reproductive organs due to infection in organs such as the uterus, ovaries, etc, the culprit is bacteria such as chlamydia or syphilis.
Inflammation in the appendix also causes pain in the right iliac fossa, sometimes spreading to the lower abdomen.
Inflammation of the peritoneum inside the abdomen is also the cause of acute abdominal pain and often worsens over time.
Changing diet leads to constipation and intestinal spasms.
Lower abdominal pain also occurs in people with constipation or intestinal spasms due to changes in diet and the use of drugs.
In addition, lower abdominal pain is also found in some diseases such as:
Irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal obstruction in rare diseases.
Urinary tract infection.
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Ovarian cancer
Miscarriage.
Pelvic abscess.
Endometriosis
2.2 Causes of chronic lower abdominal pain
Causes of chronic lower abdominal pain include:
Chronic adnexitis.
Recurrent ovarian cysts.
Recurrent urinary tract infections.
Lower back pain.
Uterine prolapse.
Uterine fibroids
Endometriosis in the uterine muscle.
Interstitial cystitis.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
Inguinal hernia
Pelvic nerve compression.
3. Ways to deal with lower abdominal pain
When you have lower abdominal pain, you can apply the following methods to reduce the pain:
To reduce the pain, you can apply a warm compress or take a warm bath to help the blood circulate evenly.
When the pain spreads to the back, it is best to lie down and raise your legs by placing a blanket under your knees, and closing your knees so that they are close to your chest when lying on your side.
You can also use mental relaxation measures such as meditation, yoga, and stretching exercises.
In addition, you should also exercise regularly to help blood flow through, thereby effectively reducing pain.
4. When should you see a doctor?
Any pain in the lower abdomen signals a dangerous disease, so when experiencing lower abdominal pain, the best way is to see a doctor for timely diagnosis and treatment.
If lower abdominal pain occurs suddenly, you should not self-diagnose or self-treat, as it is very dangerous for yourself and your family.
With 14 years of experience in the field of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology, Doctor Dong Xuan Ha is proficient in diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques, emergency intervention and treatment intervention.
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