Gastrointestinal system symptoms are associated with a wide range of conditions. Such may include infective processes, inflammatory conditions, cancers and ulcers among others. Abdominal pain is something that most in the city of Greenbelt, MD, have had to deal with at one time or the other. More often than not, the cause of the problem is related to the underlying structures. In this article we look at the different types of pain that exist and how to deal with them.
The first thing that one needs to do as they attempt to identify the origin is to establish where it is most intense. The source is likely to be the anatomic structures that are located beneath this area. For instance, if it is the epigastric region, the organs most likely to be affected are the stomach or the liver which means the most probable diagnoses are gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or hepatitis. If it is most severe around the belly button, on the other hand, the intestines are likely to be involved.
The pattern and character of this symptom is also a useful tool in determining its origin. Constricting pain is usually due to a tubular structure such as the intestine, the ureters or the gall bladder among others. Dull, diffuse pain, on the other hand, is likely to be traced to a solid organ. Associated symptoms may provide more clues. For example, if associated with failure to pass stool, its presence is highly suggestive of intestinal obstruction or constipation.
There are a number of investigations that become useful when investigating the cause of this complaint. In the event that an infective process is suspected, a septic screen is usually done. Among the components of this screening is a full blood count. The objective here is to determine whether there is an increase in the number of white blood cells and if so which particular subtypes are affected. Other components include a blood culture, urine analysis and cerebrospinal fluid culture.
Radiological studies play an important role in diagnosing abdominal conditions. Plain radiographs (X-rays) are used in studying the distribution of fluids (liquids and gases). Distension caused by the presence of gas is usually seen when there is intestinal obstruction. Ultrasound, MRI and CT scan have greater resolution and are most useful in assessing solid organs such as the pancreas, the liver, the spleen and the kidneys among others.
Treatment is varied and greatly depends on the diagnosis. The good news is that most cases can be managed through a conservative approach. This means that many of them resolve spontaneously without any treatment or may just need a few over the counter analgesic drugs. Antimicrobial agents are needed when an infection is identified and chemotherapeutic drugs used in presence of treatable cancers.
Surgery may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the cause of the problem. A significant proportion of the conditions may not be diagnosed until when the abdominal cavity is opened. This is because opening up the cavity allows direct visualization of the area. It also makes it possible to intervene simultaneously when the problem is identified. Examples of conditions diagnosed during laparotomy include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancies and tumors.
Pain in the abdomen is a very common complaint. While many of the cases resolve spontaneously, there are others that are more serious and require further investigation and more aggressive interventional measures. Inflammatory conditions, infections, drugs, trauma and tumors are all possible causes.
The first thing that one needs to do as they attempt to identify the origin is to establish where it is most intense. The source is likely to be the anatomic structures that are located beneath this area. For instance, if it is the epigastric region, the organs most likely to be affected are the stomach or the liver which means the most probable diagnoses are gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or hepatitis. If it is most severe around the belly button, on the other hand, the intestines are likely to be involved.
The pattern and character of this symptom is also a useful tool in determining its origin. Constricting pain is usually due to a tubular structure such as the intestine, the ureters or the gall bladder among others. Dull, diffuse pain, on the other hand, is likely to be traced to a solid organ. Associated symptoms may provide more clues. For example, if associated with failure to pass stool, its presence is highly suggestive of intestinal obstruction or constipation.
There are a number of investigations that become useful when investigating the cause of this complaint. In the event that an infective process is suspected, a septic screen is usually done. Among the components of this screening is a full blood count. The objective here is to determine whether there is an increase in the number of white blood cells and if so which particular subtypes are affected. Other components include a blood culture, urine analysis and cerebrospinal fluid culture.
Radiological studies play an important role in diagnosing abdominal conditions. Plain radiographs (X-rays) are used in studying the distribution of fluids (liquids and gases). Distension caused by the presence of gas is usually seen when there is intestinal obstruction. Ultrasound, MRI and CT scan have greater resolution and are most useful in assessing solid organs such as the pancreas, the liver, the spleen and the kidneys among others.
Treatment is varied and greatly depends on the diagnosis. The good news is that most cases can be managed through a conservative approach. This means that many of them resolve spontaneously without any treatment or may just need a few over the counter analgesic drugs. Antimicrobial agents are needed when an infection is identified and chemotherapeutic drugs used in presence of treatable cancers.
Surgery may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the cause of the problem. A significant proportion of the conditions may not be diagnosed until when the abdominal cavity is opened. This is because opening up the cavity allows direct visualization of the area. It also makes it possible to intervene simultaneously when the problem is identified. Examples of conditions diagnosed during laparotomy include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancies and tumors.
Pain in the abdomen is a very common complaint. While many of the cases resolve spontaneously, there are others that are more serious and require further investigation and more aggressive interventional measures. Inflammatory conditions, infections, drugs, trauma and tumors are all possible causes.
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