Abdominal pain is experienced by both men and women, and can come from an array of different things. Some abdominal pain can be mild and tolerable, or it can be severe enough to send a person to the hospital. This is a very common symptom, and doesn't always imply there is a medical condition present.
Considerations
When experiencing stomach cramps or pains, take note of how frequently they are occurring and what other symptoms are occurring with the pain. Did they begin after eating a certain food? If so, make note of what food was eaten before seeing a doctor. This will help the doctor to determine if the pain is due to a food-born illness, food allergy or something else. According to MedlinePlus, most people will experience stomach pain at some point in their lives, and the majority of these cases are not life-threatening.
Causes
There are so many things that can cause abdominal pain and cramping, and many cases can be treated at home or go away without treatment. The most common causes of abdominal pain are appendicitis, bowel blockage, chronic constipation, diverticulitis, food allergies, gastroenteritis, salmonella, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, lactose intolerance, ulcers, urinary tract infections, indigestion, heartburn, menstrual cramping, pneumonia, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Severe abdominal pain could be caused by sexually transmitted diseases, appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy.
Diagnosis
Abdominal pain on its own is too general of a symptom to pinpoint a cause. For this reason, a physician will want to know more about the other symptoms experienced, if any. He may ask where exactly the pain is located, what type of pain it is, whether it occurs during menstruation, if it occurs after meals or if the pain is being experienced in other areas as well. If the answers to these questions do not point to a cause, he will do additional tests such as a blood, urine and stool test, an abdominal X-ray, an ultrasound of the abdomen or a colonoscopy.
Warnings
Get emergency care immediately if abdominal pain is severe or if the pain has spread to other areas of the body. Anyone who experiences abdominal pain with chest, neck or shoulder pain, pain between the shoulder blades, difficulty breathing or vomiting should seek medical attention right away. Women who are pregnant should seek emergency care even if abdominal pain is the only symptom.
Prevention
Certain abdominal pain can be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes. MedlinePlus suggests avoiding greasy or fatty foods, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, limiting foods that produce gas and eating plenty of fiber.
