Abdominal Pain

What is Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.

 

Often a nauseous or knot like sensation can accompany Abdominal Pain. Most of the time, a serious medical problem is not the cause, and how bad your pain is doesn't always reflect the seriousness of the problem causing your pain. 

 

You may feel very bad pain if you are having gas or stomach cramps due to viral gastroenteritis, better known as a stomach virus. And some life-threatening conditions, such as colon cancer or a very early case of appendicitis, may cause only mild pain, or no pain at all.

 

Describing Abdominal Pain

  •  Generalized pain - you feel it in more than half of your belly. This type of pain is more typical for a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas. If the pain becomes more severe, it may be caused by a blockage of the intestines.
  •  Localized pain - found in only one area of your belly. It is more likely to be a sign of a problem in an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.
  •  Cramp-like pain - This type of pain is not serious most of the time. It is likely to be due to gas and bloating, and is often followed by diarrhea. More worrisome signs include pain that occurs more often, lasts more than 24 hours, or occurs with a fever.
  •  Colicky pain - This type of pain comes in waves. It very often starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe. Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes of this type of belly pain.

 

Sometimes, abdominal pain may occur due to a problem somewhere else in your body, such as your chest or pelvic area. You may have abdominal pain if you have:

  •  Severe menstrual cramps
  •  Endometriosis
  •  Muscle strain
  •  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  •  Tubal (ectopic) pregnancy
  •  Ruptured ovarian cyst
  •  Urinary tract infections

 

Endometriosis Pain

Endometriosis is a common gynecological problem affecting women of reproductive age. It occurs when the tissues of the uterus start growing on surfaces of other organs in the pelvis. 

 

Endometrium may grow on ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of uterus, pelvic cavity lining, vagina, cervix, vulva, bladder or rectum. 

 

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Patients may experience 

  •  painful cramps in the lower abdomen, back or in the pelvis during menstruation, 
  •  painful sex
  •  heavy menstrual bleeding, 
  •  painful bowel movements or urination and 
  •  infertility.

 

Causes of Endometriosis

The exact cause for the endometriosis is not known, but it is thought to be inherited through genes that run in families. A defect in the immune system, hormonal imbalance, or as a complication of other surgeries, women may develop endometriosis.

 

Diagnosis of Endometriosis

We will ask you about general health, your symptoms and perform a pelvic examination to feel for the presence of large cysts or scars. 

 

An ultrasound scan may also be performed to look for ovarian cysts.

 

The ultimate diagnosis is the visually proven endometriosis that can be done by diagnostic laparoscopy or keyhole surgery.

 

Treatments for Endometriosis

There are several treatment options available to minimize the pain as well as control heavy bleeding.

 

Pain Medication

Over the counter pain relievers may be helpful for mild pain. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications will be prescribed by our doctors in cases of severe pain.

 

Hormone Treatment

Hormone treatment is recommended if there is a small growth and mild pain. Hormonal preparations particularly progesterone type medications or a medication that decrease or block the production of Oestrogen can be taken in the form of pills, shots, intrauterine device (IUD) and nasal sprays. Birth control pills help to decrease the amount of menstrual bleeding.

 

Surgery

Surgery is an option for women having multiple growths, severe pain, or fertility problems.

  •  Laparoscopy : During this surgery, growths and scar tissue are removed or burnt. This is a minimally invasive technique and does not harm the healthy tissues around the growth.
  •  Laparotomy or major abdominal surgery : This involves a larger cut in the abdomen which allows [doctor] to reach and remove the endometrial growth.
  •  Hysterectomy : It is a surgery that involves removal of the uterus. This procedure is done when there is severe damage to the uterus and only if the patient is not willing to become pregnant.