Abdominal gas pain is a common symptom that most people have experienced after eating too quickly or consuming a meal high in fiber. In these cases, abdominal gas pain usually subsides within a few hours. Severe or recurring abdominal gas pain can indicate an intestinal infection or the presence of an underlying digestive disease.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that can be caused by a number of different viruses. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States. The viruses are highly contagious and the infection is spread through close contact with infected individuals and sharing food, drink or utensils.
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal gas pain, headache, fever and chills. NDDIC notes that symptoms can begin anywhere from four to 48 hours after exposure to a virus and usually last from one to two days. Most cases of viral gastroenteritis go away with medical treatment. It is important to increase water intake while symptoms persist to replace lost fluids and avoid dehydration. In severe cases, intravenous fluids and electrolytes may be administered.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a person is unable to digest the milk sugar lactose due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. When lactose cannot be effectively broken down, it moves through the digestive system in its full form. When it reaches the large intestine, the bacteria that normally live there begin to feed on the lactose, which causes the common symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. These symptoms include abdominal gas pain, bloating, nausea and diarrhea.
People experience different levels of lactose intolerance, and severity of symptoms ranges accordingly. Lactose intolerance may develop as a normal part of the aging process or be acquired after surgery or illness, according to MayoClinic.com. There is no treatment for lactose intolerance, but symptoms can be avoided with the ingestion of synthetic lactase or elimination of lactose from the diet.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease belongs to a group of digestive disorders referred to as inflammatory bowel diseases. Crohn's disease is usually characterized by inflammation of the intestines, but the inflammation may occur anywhere along the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, according to MedlinePlus. The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but it is believed to develop as a result of an abnormal immune response that causes antibodies to attack the normal body tissue in the digestive tract.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease include abdominal gas pain, loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, diarrhea, pain during a bowel movement and weight loss. Treatment for Crohn's disease generally consists of a combination of medications and diet changes to lessen severity of symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove damaged parts of the digestive tract.
