Abdominal pain is a common condition that can limit your normal daily activities. A 2000 survey published in the journal "Digestive Diseases and Sciences" by Robert Sandler, M.D., indicated that in the month prior to being interviewed, nearly 41 percent of respondents had digestive symptoms. Nearly 22 percent had pain or discomfort and almost 30 percent reported experiencing diarrhea or loose stools. Sixty-five percent of respondents reported that their symptoms were moderate or severe.
Abdomen
Stomach pain, also known as abdominal pain, often describes something occurring in the abdominal cavity. The abdomen contains your stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas. Your intestines are part of the digestive system. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains that the digestive system is made up of organs that transfer food and waste from the mouth to the anus and those that break down and absorb food and nutrients. The small and large intestine, also known as the colon, are part of this system.
Conditions Common to the Abdomen and Intestines
KidsHealth.org, a health information website by the Nemours Foundation, explains that problems with the stomach and intestines sometimes go hand in hand. A gastrointestinal infection caused by a virus or bacteria from contaminated food can result in belly pain and cramps, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting. Appendicitis, which is often misdiagnosed, according to the University of Washington, and sometimes mistaken for a condition triggered after eating, is characterized by inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis causes abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite and vomiting. Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestines, and is often triggered after eating.
Other Conditions
In all, there are over a dozen different conditions that can cause abdominal pain after eating. Just a few of the conditions, according to the MayoClinic.com Symptom Checker, are gallstones, when digestive juices harden inside the gallbladder; gastritis, a group of conditions that cause inflammation of the lining of the stomach; constipation, a common problem that results in infrequent bowel movements or straining to pass hard stools; and an intestinal obstruction, which indicates a blockage in the small intestine or colon that prevents food and fluid from passing through. It will be easier for your doctor to rule out certain problems if you can give him a better idea of where in your abdomen the pain occurs, what triggers your symptoms and if anything relieves your symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing an abdominal condition can be difficult. When it comes to stomach discomfort, the intensity of the pain can be misleading. For example, mild conditions like cramping and gas can cause severe pain while potentially deadly diseases like colon cancer or appendicitis in the early stages can cause mild pain.
Considerations and Warnings
According to MayoClinic.com, you should contact your doctor if your symptoms persist past 24 to 48 hours. You should get immediate medical help, reports MedlinePlus, if your pain is sudden and sharp; if you have pain in your chest, neck or shoulder; if you're vomiting blood or have blood in your stool; if your belly is stiff and tender to the touch; and if you can't move your bowels.
References
- "Digestive Diseases and Sciences"; Abdominal Pain, Bloating and Diarrhea in the United States; R.S. Sandler et al.; June 2000
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Your Digestive System and How it Works
- MedlinePlus: Abdominal Pain
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Has Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis Decreased Over Time?; D.R. Flum et al.; October 2001
- KidsHealth: Digestive System
