What is the most common cause of abdominal pain?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Huy Binh - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Most causes of abdominal pain are not cause for concern, the doctor can easily diagnose and treat this condition. However, there are cases where abdominal pain has no known cause or is a sign of a serious medical condition.

1. Common causes of abdominal pain

There are many causes of abdominal pain of varying degrees, from mild, to sharp or spasm, tingling. The most common causes of abdominal pain for anyone in everyday life are:
Indigestion; Constipation ; Stomach virus; Menstruation (if you are a woman). Other causes of abdominal pain in certain populations include:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); Crohn's disease (inflammation in the intestinal tract); Food poisoning ; Food allergies; Bloating, bloating.

You can also get upset stomach from some less common causes such as:
Intolerance to lactose (milk sugar); Pelvic ulcer or inflammation; Inguinal hernia / prolapse; Gallstones ; Kidney stones ; Endometrial optimism ; Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); Appendicitis ; Diverticulitis of the colon; Stomach ulcers; Celiac disease (a digestive disorder that damages the colon); Ectopic pregnancy; Side effects of medications.

2. When to see a doctor?

If you have severe, persistent or recurrent abdominal pain, or unexplained abdominal pain, see a specialist. Call 911 right away if you have abdominal pain caused by an injury or are accompanied by chest pain.
You should also go to the hospital as soon as possible if you have symptoms that accompany the pain, such as:
Fever;
Vomiting after eating for more than 2 days; signs of dehydration, such as not urinating often, dark urine, and extreme thirst; Inability to have a bowel movement, especially with vomiting; Pain when urinating, or the need to urinate often; Soft belly feels soft to the touch; Abdominal pain that lasts more than a few hours. Along with abdominal pain, you may also experience symptoms that warn of an abnormal problem inside your body that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Specifically:
Vomiting blood; Bloody or tarry stools; Shortness of breath; persistent vomiting; Swelling in the abdomen; Jaundice; Pregnant.

3. Diagnose the cause of abdominal pain

Because there are so many causes of abdominal pain, your doctor will do a thorough physical exam and exam when you visit. Some questions doctors often ask patients to find out the exact cause of abdominal pain are:
Severe or dull pain; Is there pain throughout the abdomen, or only in a specific area;
Is the pain frequency all day or only in the morning or evening; How long each pain lasts; Is there pain after eating certain foods or drinking alcohol; Is there pain during menstruation? How long have you had such a stomach ache; Is there pain in the lower back, shoulder, groin, or buttocks? Are you taking any medications or herbal supplements? Are you pregnant? Ways to ease the pain, such as eating or lying on your side; What activity or position makes the pain worse; Have you been injured recently?
After a clear diagnosis, your doctor may recommend some tests to help find the cause of your abdominal pain. A stool or urine test, blood tests, barium swallow, endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan, etc. are ways that can answer cases of unexplained abdominal pain.

4. How to prevent stomach pain

Unless the cause of abdominal pain is out of control, such as appendicitis, you can change a few habits in your daily life to limit the number of times of abdominal pain. Experts have given some advice as follows:
Eat slowly, chew thoroughly The habit of taking large bites and not chewing thoroughly when eating can cause you to swallow air, which increases gas in the stomach and leads to abdominal pain. . Therefore, take the time to eat slowly and chew thoroughly. This also gives the brain time to recognize the signal of fullness, avoiding overeating - a possible reason for stomach pain.

Split meals Some people experience stomach pain between meals, which is caused by not having a buffer for acid in the stomach. If this is the case, divide it up into small meals and snacks throughout the day so your stomach doesn't stay empty for a long time.
Make healthy food choices Fatty, fried, or spicy foods can cause stomach upsets. They have the ability to slow down digestion, wreak havoc on your bowels, and make you more prone to constipation. Therefore, it is advisable to choose nutritious foods, giving priority to vegetables and fiber, which are very good for the digestive system and stomach.
Listen to your body If you notice that your stomach is always cramping after drinking a glass of milk or eating a certain food, see your doctor and talk to your doctor. You may experience a food intolerance. If your doctor finds a problem with your diet, he or she will help you develop a healthier menu.
Drink more water, less soda Water helps keep food moving through the intestines easily. Drink water regularly even if it's not different. Don't drink soda as the carbonate can cause stomach upset and gas. In addition, alcohol and caffeine can also mess with some people's digestive system, so limit consumption if you often have stomach pain.
Wash your hands A common cause of abdominal pain is gastroenteritis, sometimes caused by a virus. The condition can also lead to diarrhea, nausea, fever, or headache. So the best way to prevent the spread of bacteria is to wash your hands often, especially before eating, after using the toilet and when in public places.

Stress management When under stress, some people have a pounding heart, some sweaty hands and a lot of people have stomachaches. They may feel their stomach twist or appear to be squeezed. So stay away from stressful situations as much as possible. Reduce stress by exercising, meditating, doing your favorite thing, or hanging out with friends.
Abdominal pain ranges from a dull ache to a sharp pain, appearing for a short time or lasting up to hours. This condition may be accompanied by nausea, bloating, or diarrhea or constipation. You can prevent abdominal pain if it comes from common causes. Some causes of abdominal pain require medication, surgery, or another treatment. If you feel severe or persistent abdominal pain, seek medical attention immediately.

Periodic health check-ups help to detect diseases early so that there is a treatment plan for optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
General health checkup package diamond Vip General Health Checkup Package Special General Health Checkup Package Comprehensive General Health Checkup Package Standard General Health Checkup Package Patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties right at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

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Reference source: Webmd.com