Lower Abdominal Pain: Symptoms And Causes – Forbes Health - Forbes
When it comes to lower abdominal pain, there is a plethora of possible causes. Some of the more common causes include the following.
Trapped Gas
Trapped gas often occurs as part of the process of digestion, says Dr. Crawford. As we eat, we swallow air, and as food travels through the digestive tract, bacteria work to break down carbohydrates, producing gas as a byproduct. The result of this process are gasses that can cause uncomfortable symptoms.
Symptoms: Pain from trapped gas is acute and can occur anywhere in the abdomen, causing belching, bloating, a distended stomach and flatulence. Typically, people feel better once they've passed the gas, says Dr. Crawford. Gentle movements like walking, yoga stretches, light abdominal massaging, lots of water and calming teas may all help to soothe gas-related abdominal pain, advises Dr. Méndez.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Approximately 10% to 15% of adults in the U.S. may be living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), according to the American College of Gastroenterology). A disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, IBS is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, says Aniruddh Setya, M.D., a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Kidz Medical Services in Hollywood, Florida.
Because other GI conditions need to be ruled out by a gastroenterologist before a true diagnosis of IBS can be made, IBS is called a diagnosis of exclusion, explains Dr. Méndez. While the true cause is unknown, IBS is thought to arise from a dysregulated gut-brain communication, which results in hypersensitivity in the intestinal organs and altered muscle contraction in the GI tract, she adds.
Symptoms: Pain from IBS is chronic and occurs in the lower abdomen. Symptoms of IBS often include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and bowel changes including constipation, diarrhea and loose stool. Common triggers are stress and certain foods, like dairy and fermentable sugars, says Dr. Setya. Treatments range from dietary control to medications designed to control the altered bowel pattern or the pain, adds Dr. Crawford.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that describes two disorders involving chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract, says Dr. Méndez. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that these two conditions—Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis— may impact as many as 3 million people in the U.S.
- Crohn's disease can cause inflammation and irritation anywhere along the intestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, but it is most commonly found in the last part of the small intestine and the colon, says Dr. Crawford. If left untreated, the condition can cause deep ulcers and scarring in the intestinal lining along with abscesses, fistulas (abnormal connections between two organs) and anal fissures.
- Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers along the lining of the large intestine and rectum, explains Dr. Méndez. Unlike Crohn's, inflammation is present only in the innermost layer of the lining of the colon and rectum, but if left untreated, it may result in a small hole in the lining, says Dr. Crawford.
Symptoms: Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are chronic conditions, are similar and include frequent diarrhea, lower abdominal cramping and pain, bloody stools, fever, weight loss, fatigue and night sweats, says Dr. Méndez. Treatment for these chronic conditions may include medication, bowel rest or surgery.
Constipation
If you have infrequent bowel movements that are difficult or painful to pass, you're likely experiencing constipation, says Dr. Setya. The condition, which is usually brought on by dietary triggers, insufficient hydration and stress, often occurs in individuals without an identifiable underlying cause, he continues. And it's common—Dr. Méndez says constipation is the most frequent digestive complaint among her patients.
Symptoms: Constipation can be either acute or chronic, and usually causes pain and discomfort in the lower abdominal region. Symptoms of acute constipation include having three or less bowel movements in a week, hard, lumpy stools that can be difficult to pass and feeling like not all of your stool has passed. Bleeding may occur if the delicate anal tissue tears, says Dr. Setya. Lifestyle changes like drinking more water, eating more fiber and getting more exercise often help resolve constipation, but if constipation persists or becomes chronic, it's important to be evaluated by a doctor.
Diverticulitis
Chronic constipation from a diet low in fiber is believed to cause diverticula, or small, sac-like structures, to form inside of the colon. This condition is known as diverticulosis. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, it's called diverticulitis and is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 60, says Dr. Méndez.
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Symptoms: Acute diverticulitis is commonly felt on the left lower abdomen and may be ongoing and present for several days, says Dr. Méndez, and it may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever and constipation.
Urinary Tract Infection
When bacteria accidentally enters the urethra, this can cause an infection of the urinary tract, or UTI.
Symptoms: Urinary tract infection symptoms include a strong need to urinate, pain or burning in the lower pelvis, and burning while passing only small amounts of urine, says Dr. Méndez. "The urine may also be foul-smelling and appear oldly colored (cloudy or reddish-pink if blood is present)," she continues. These acute infections are treated with a course of antibiotics.
Kidney Infection
A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is a type of UTI that can become serious, requiring IV antibiotics, says Dr. Ivanina. It starts in the bladder and travels upward, infecting one or both of the kidneys.
Symptoms: Symptoms of this acute infection may include flank (side) pain, back pain, fever with chills (bad enough to cause shaking), nausea and vomiting, says Dr. Ivanina.
Kidney Stones
Concentrated deposits of salts and minerals that form in your kidneys and pass through the urinary system are called kidney stones, says Dr. Ivanina. These stones can get lodged in the urinary tract and cause a backup of urine in the kidney, bladder or urethra, which can cause infection and pain.
Symptoms: Symptoms of this acute condition may cause sharp, severe pain in the back, side, abdomen, and groin that comes in waves as well as discolored, foul-smelling urine and a change in urinary frequency, says Dr. Ivanina. Nausea, vomiting, fever and chills can also occur, she adds.
Appendicitis
The appendix is a small, tubular-like structure that extends into the cecum of the colon, explains Dr. Crawford. Normally, mucus, cells and bacteria travel freely from the appendix into the cecum, but when a blockage occurs, inflammation of the appendix can result. Appendicitis is serious. It's important to get to the ER if you think you are experiencing symptoms, as it often requires surgery, says Dr. Setya
Symptoms: Acute appendicitis symptoms include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever, says Dr. Setya. At first, the pain may be centered near the belly button, but as the inflammation progresses, it will migrate to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, he says. Severe pain can come on suddenly.
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