Lower Right Abdominal Pain After Eating
Abdominal pain can be caused by a number of factors, both benign and serious. Identifying the causes of lower right abdomen pain will ensure you receive appropriate and timely treatment. Some very serious conditions can contribute to lower right abdominal pain, but don’t get too worried right away visit a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Lower Left Abdominal Pain: 9 Causes & What To Do
Left-sided abdominal pain is usually a sign of excess gas or constipation. This is especially true when the pain is not very strong, or if it feels like a stabbing pain that comes and goes. Other symptoms such as bloating, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, or regular belching may also indicate excess gas or constipation.
Left-sided abdominal pain can, however, be a sign of a condition that requires medical attention, like kidney stones, endometriosis, or diverticulitis.
In rare cases, pain on the left side of the abdomen can also be a sign of a heart attack, but there are usually other, more specific symptoms that will accompany it, like chest pain that radiates to the stomach, nausea, shortness of breath, and tingling in the arms.
Polyps Or Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease can affect the lower left side too, or can cause more generalised pain. Polyps are small wart-like lumps in the bowel, and diverticular disease is a condition where the bowel forms tiny pockets that become inflamed and painful.
Diverticulitis and polyps can both cause diarrhoea and sometimes bleeding in the bowel. If you notice ” rel=”nofollow”> https://www.livi.co.uk/your-health/10-things-your-poo-can-tell-you-about-your-health/), its important to speak to a doctor straight away.
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Other Causes Of Stomach Pain
- Certain vascular diseases: Conditions where the intestines dont get enough blood can cause pain and cramps. A common one is a lack of blood supply to the large bowel, or colon, called ischemic colitis, Dr. Kirsch says. This typically causes left-sided cramping and bleeding.
- Gynecological issues: That whole organ system is in the pelvis, so ruptured ovarian cysts, a twisted ovary or ectopic pregnancies can all cause lower abdominal pain, he notes.
- Groin hernias: Hernias happen when an organ pushes through the enclosed area that holds it. A hernia in the groin can cause lower abdominal pain and discomfort.
- Tumors: People who have tumors in the large intestine may experience stomach pain and a change in their bowel pattern, especially if its blocking something.
Why Is There Pain With Pressing
The abdomen should not be tender to touch. Pressing on the abdomen only elicits pain when an organs or tissues are inflamed. This inflammation may be due to a host of causes, such as injury, infection or immne-mediated reactions like allergies and autoimmune diseases. Inflammation is a mechanism to protect against tissue damage. Therefore tenderness of the abdomen is an indication of some underlying tissue damage in the abdominal cavity or abdominal wall.
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What Are Possible Causes Of Lower Right Abdominal Pain
Determining the type of pain and the location is always the first step in trying to figure out why you feel the way you do. Yet most types of abdominal pain are easily explainable . When the pain is noticeably in a specific place, though, it might be a cause for concern. One common example is pain that occurs in the lower right side of the abdomen. Because it isnt normal, it can be a little alarming. Below are some potential causes to watch out for:
Appendicitis: Appendicitis is perhaps one of the most famous causes of pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. In fact, even if you have never known anyone who had appendicitis, youre probably still aware that it could be a cause. The appendix is a small structure attached to the lower right section of the large intestine that was previously thought to be vestigial. When the appendix becomes inflamed, it can cause severe pain in a highly localized area as well as nausea, vomiting, and fever. An appendectomy is then needed to correct the problem.
Intestinal Gas: The process of digesting food is actually a series of complex chemical reactions that occur throughout the small and large intestines. Most of the time, the body is able to naturally eliminate this gas through flatulence or belching. Sometimes, though, it can build up in a section of the digestive tract and cause pressure on the inside wall of the intestines this pressure can then present as abdominal pain in a specific place.
Symptoms Of Sharp Pains In The Stomach
The symptoms of sharp stomach pains depend on the characteristics and location of the pain. It can also be accompanied by other symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or fever.
You may experience different types of stomach pain. These characteristics can include:
Generalized pain
Generalized pain is pain that you feel in large areas of your stomach, typically more than half of your abdominal area. This pain may be caused by a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas. If the pain is severe, it could be caused by blocked intestines.
Localized pain
Localized pain is focused in one area of your stomach. This is more likely to be a sign of issues in an organ, like the appendix, uterus, gallbladder, or stomach.
Cramp pain
Cramp pain may feel more like a muscle tightening inside your abdomen. Most of the time, this type of pain is due to gas, bloating, or menstrual issues. However, if the pain is persistent, lasts longer than 24 hours, or is accompanied by fever, it may be more serious.
Colicky pain
Colicky pain may come and go, seeming to arrive in waves. It may start and end suddenly. If severe, kidney stones or gallstones may be a cause.
Location of stomach pain
Stomach pain may be generalizedtaking up more than half of the abdomenbut it also may be stronger in some areas of the stomach. It can occur in these locations:
- Upper or lower abdomen
- Right upper and lower abdomen
- Left upper and lower abdomen
- Right and left pelvis
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Causes Of Acute Stomach Pain
- Eating Too Much. Eating too much can cause an upset stomach and mild stomach pain.
- Hunger Pains. Younger children may complain of stomach pain when they are hungry.
- GI Virus . A GI virus can cause stomach cramps as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Food Poisoning. This causes sudden vomiting and/or diarrhea within hours after eating the bad food. It is caused by toxins from germs growing in foods left out too long. Most often, symptoms go away in less than 24 hours. It often can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
- Constipation. The need to pass a stool may cause cramps in the lower abdomen.
- Strep Throat. A strep throat infection causes 10% of new onset stomach pain with fever.
- Bladder Infection. Bladder infections usually present with painful urination, urgency and bad smelling urine. Sometimes the only symptom is pain in the lower abdomen.
- Appendicitis . Suspect appendicitis if pain is low on the right side and walks bent over. Other signs are the child won’t hop and wants to lie still.
- Intussusception . Sudden attacks of severe pain that switch back and forth with periods of calm. Caused by one segment of bowel telescoping into a lower piece of bowel. Peak age is 6 months to 2 years.
What Is The Treatment For Pain In Your Lower Right Abdomen
The treatment for lower right abdominal pain depends on whats causing it. Sometimes, its a simple problem that may get better by itself without any treatment, or youll be able to treat it easily with self-care.
For example, if you have period pain, you can take simple painkillers but first get advice from a pharmacist on how to safely get and use these medicines. Read more about how to treat period pain.
If you have trapped wind, it usually goes away quickly. But if youre getting it a lot, there are many things you can try to get rid of it, including changing your diet and exercising more regularly. But if self-care measures arent helping, see a doctor to rule out conditions that may be causing it. Read more about how to get rid of trapped wind and how to get rid of bloating.
You can usually manage gastroenteritis at home by drinking plenty of fluids and resting. To make sure you dont spread it to other people, stay at home while you’re unwell and for 2 days afterwards. Read more about how to treat gastroenteritis and food poisoning.
If youre in severe pain, you may have a more serious problem like appendicitis or ovarian or testicular torsion, which usually need to be treated in hospital and sometimes need surgery. Read more about the treatment for appendicitis and how to check your testicles.
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Types Of Abdominal Pain And What You Can Do
Abdominal pain can occur anywhere between the chest and the lower abdomen and can range from a dull ache to severe pain. Abdominal pain is one of the common reasons people visit urgent care centers and emergency rooms in the 78130 area code of New Braunfels, Texas.
The doctors and the medical professionals at Riverside ER, a 24-hour emergency care center located near you in New Braunfels, Texas, want to educate the public on the symptoms of abdominal pain and the relevant treatment.
There are four types of abdominal pain: upper, lower, right-sided and left-sided. Each type has specific symptoms and causes, and all are discussed below.
Upper Abdominal Pain Between The Ribcage
If you develop an aching or stabbing pain or pressure in the upper abdominal area just under the ribs, this may indicate a heart-related problem. Physicians say this pain is often accompanied by shortness of breath and is concerning if the pain persists. People often assume this type of pain is indigestion, and while that may be the case, anyone with risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension should see a doctor as soon as possible.
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Common Causes Of Upper Abdominal Pain
The common causes of upper abdominal pain are typically the byproducts of the digestive process. The pains are usually felt in the upper area of the abdomen, as well as in the chest, neck or shoulders. The common symptoms are:
- bloating and gas
- loss of appetite
- nausea
The management of the pains and symptoms can usually be accomplished by changes to the diet, eating habits and lifestyle. The avoidance of caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol will reduce the symptoms.
There are cases where people have described the warning signs of a heart attack as upper abdominal pain or heartburn. The pain can feel like a burning in the chest, or the chest being pressed by something heavy. This type of pain may also be felt in the jaw, the neck or the arms.
Heart attack victims may also experience breathlessness, sweating and nausea along with the burning or the chest pain. A person experiencing these symptoms, together with a family history of heart conditions, should seek immediate medical attention in an emergency room in New Braunfels, Texas.
What Organs Are In The Abdomen
The abdominal area is a large body cavity that is technically located between the thoracic cavity and the pelvic cavity. It is home to organs and tissues that are part of numerous body systems, including the digestive system, endocrine system, and the enteric nervous system. The stomach, spleen, large intestine, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and adrenal glands are all closely packed into the space. It is because there is so much activity in the region that pain as a symptom can be hard to determine the cause of.
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Lower Left Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain in the lower left side is more commonly noticed than in the right side. The various organs and structures present in the lower left abdomen include:
- Left ureter
- Left ovary and fallopian tube
- Some part of urinary bladder and the descending bowel .
- Blood vessels, nerves, muscles and skin covering the left abdominal wall.
Any disease or disorder in these structures or organs can generate lower left abdominal pain.
Vague Upper Abdominal Pain Associated With Nausea And Belching
Sometimes stomach pain is hard to identify or comes with multiple symptoms. Vague pain in the upper and mid-abdominal area that is linked to nausea, burping, or belching could be signs of a heart attack, particularly in older patients. Physicians say tests like an ECG or cardiac markers can be lifesaving. They also warn that vomiting with back or jaw pain and shortness of breath can also be a sign of a life-threatening emergency.
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Sudden And Severe Onset Stomach Pain
When mid-abdominal pain occurs suddenly especially in people with a history of peptic ulcer disease or in those who take excessive amounts of aspirin or NSAIDs it may be a sign of a perforation that could require emergency surgery. A tear could leak air and gastric content which can lead to a condition called peritonitis, and eventually, septic shock. Surgery would be required to seal the perforation.
What Are The Usual Tests For Right Lower Quadrant Pain
Your doctor will narrow the field of possible RLQ pain diagnoses by talking with you and examining you. They may be able to find the cause simply by doing so. For example, if they find the typical rash of shingles, you will need no further tests to find the cause. The doctor will certainly need to feel your tummy in the area you have the pain, but may also need to examine other parts too, such as the rest of your tummy.
You will probably be asked to provide a sample of urine, to rule out kidney problems.
You may well have to go for blood tests. These might include tests to:
- Check the function of your liver and kidneys.
- Rule out any inflammation or infection in your body.
- Check your sugar level.
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Sudden And Severe Pain In The Mid
If you are someone who has a peptic ulcer and takes excessive amounts of aspirin or NSAID pain relievers, this specific type of stomach pain could very well be caused by a perforated ulcer. If not treated in a timely fashion, dangerous consequences like peritonitis and septic shock can occur. At the very least, you should call Digestive Health Services, or go to the emergency room right away.
Other Sources Of Lower Abdominal Pain
A study published in April 2011 in the American Journal of Surgery suggests that almost 12 percent of appendectomies between 1998 and 2007 were conducted on patients who didn’t actually have appendicitis.
This is because several health issues can also cause pain that’s localized to your lower right abdominal area, making an accurate diagnosis of appendicitis difficult without using imaging tests, such as computed tomography , ultrasound, and MRIs.
For instance, ovulation pain occurs on either the right or left side of the lower abdomen and can be quite sharp, like appendicitis pain. But that pain doesn’t start near the belly button, nor does it get worse with movement.
Constipation can cause pain localized in the lower right abdomen, as well as rebound tenderness. But the constipation starts before the abdominal pain, unlike when you have appendicitis though constipation can be a symptom of appendicitis.
A kidney infection can be another cause of lower right abdominal pain if the right kidney is infected but this also causes groin pain, back pain, and painful urination.
Pain from kidney stones can spread to the lower right abdomen, though it doesn’t start at the belly button it usually starts below the ribs on one of your sides and back. It also usually comes in waves.
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What Are The Characteristics Of Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain may include any of the following, or a combination of these characteristics:
- cramping
- bowel obstruction
- causes of heart pain
If you are experiencing abdominal pain, the exact location of the pain and any other symptoms you might have may suggest the cause.
If you feel pain right across your stomach area or low down, its probably coming from your bowel. You may also have bloating and wind. If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause is probably gastroenteritis. If you are very ill for example, with chills or a fever you may have a more serious infection such as food poisoning.
If the pain is coming from higher up in your stomach, it could be caused by acid reflux or an ulcer. You might also have heartburn and belching, and the pain might be made worse, or relieved, by food.
If the pain is in the middle of your stomach and extends to your back, it could be a sign of gallstones. Pain in the lower right part of the stomach, along with fever, nausea and vomiting, could be appendicitis.
If the pain is made worse by exercise it could be heart pain. Read more in the chest pain section. If you are experiencing this type of pain, call triple and ask for an ambulance.
Some medicines, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory and anti-dementia drugs, can cause stomach pain as a side effect.
You can find more information about the underlying causes of abdominal pain here.