According to MedlinePlus, abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints seen in emergency rooms. Within the abdominal cavity are the spleen, appendix, gallbladder, liver, colon, pancreas and small bowel. In order to supply healthcare providers with a guide, the abdomen is divided into 4 quadrants: the right upper quadrant, the right lower quadrant, the left upper quadrant and the left lower quadrant. The intersection in the middle is called the epigastrum. Stomach pain can be caused by a variety of problems.
Appendicitis
The appendix is located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. It is a small appendage that is attached to the beginning of the large intestine. When the appendix becomes blocked by feces, a foreign object or, rarely, a tumor, it becomes inflamed. If left too long, it can become gangrenous. An appendectomy is one of the most common emergency surgeries done in the United States, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms of appendicitis can be vague. The pain usually starts out around the belly button, but as the inflammation becomes worse, more severe pain is felt in the right lower quadrant. Patients with appendicitis usually have nausea and vomiting, and may have a fever. Many patients do not have an appetite. If the appendix ruptures, the patient may briefly feel relief from the pain, but once the inside abdominal wall is exposed to the pus and contents of the appendix, the pain will recur intensely.
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, is caused by gallstones in the gallbladder which block the duct, causing bile to become trapped within. Bile is irritating to the lining of the gallbladder and also causes pressure. According to MedlinePlus, gallstones are more common in women and Native Americans. Cholecystitis pain is located in the right upper quadrant, and frequently occurs shortly after eating a fatty meal. Patients complain of nausea and vomiting, and can sometimes become jaundiced. Many times the pain of cholecystitis will resolve on its own, but if it recurs, it is recommended that the gallbladder be removed.
Abdominal Aortic Aneursym
The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins at the top of the heart and divides into smaller branches just below the belly button. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a ballooning of the portion of the aorta that is in the abdomen, and occurs in patients who have uncontrolled high blood pressure. Seventy-five present of aneurysms occur in the abdominal section of the aorta, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, or "triple A" as it is sometimes called, is a medical emergency. The symptom of a rupture is sharp stabbing pain in the abdomen which radiates to the back under the shoulder blade. If the bleeding is severe, the patient will go into shock in a manner of minutes.
