Everyone experiences abdominal pain from time to time, according to MayoClinic.com. It is sometimes referred to as pain in the stomach or gut, but abdominal pain actually occurs in the abdomen and is characterized by pain and discomfort. This type of pain can be mild or severe, and it may be short-lived or occur over several weeks or months. Most cases of abdominal pain are not emergencies, but it is important to call a doctor if the pain becomes so severe that it is impossible to move or sit still, or if the pain is accompanied by bloody diarrhea and/or chest pain.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition that causes intense pain in the abdominal area. The appendix consists of a finger-shaped pouch that sticks out from the colon. It is located on the lower right side of the colon and serves no known purpose. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed and fills with pus. Appendicitis pain typically begins around the navel and then shifts to the lower right abdomen. The pain gradually increases over the next 12 to 18 hours and eventually develops into intense pain. Appendicitis is usually triggered by an obstruction such as trapped food in the appendix or infection. This condition can affect anyone, but it usually occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30, according to MayoClinic.com. Treatment for appendicitis usually involves surgery to remove the inflamed appendix.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease occurs when inflammation spreads throughout the digestive tract lining deep into the layers of the affected bowel tissue, causing abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and in some severe cases malnutrition. Medline Plus states that this disease usually affects the intestines, but it can occur in various locations from the mouth to anus. Crohn's disease is a painful and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to life-threatening complications, such as severe bleeding, ulcers, infections and in some cases partial bowel removal. The exact cause of crohn's disease is unknown, but it is believed that impaired immune system plays a role in its development. There is no known cure for this disease, but the symptoms can be significantly reduced with a combination of medication and treatment.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy or a tubal pregnancy can cause severe lower abdominal pain. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, according to the website Kids Health. In most cases the egg gets stuck in one of the fallopian tubes, the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, but in some cases the egg may implant in the ovary, abdomen or the cervix. As the fertilized egg continues to grow it causes the organ that it is contained in to expand until it bursts resulting in severe bleeding, abdominal pain and possibly death. A woman may experience an ectopic pregnancy as a result of an infected or inflamed fallopian tube that partially or entirely blocks the egg from working its way down the tube to the uterus. In most cases, the pregnancy does not develop into a live pregnancy. Treatment consists of removal of the ectopic tissue by medication and/or surgery.
