Lower Abdominal Pain

Are you suffering from lower abdominal pain? Go through this article to find out what causes lower abdominal pain and how it can be treated.

Has lower abdominal pain become a cause of concern for you? Wondering what causes pain in the lower abdomen? Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen could be attributed to medical conditions that affect the internal organs located in the lower abdomen. These organs include intestines, appendix, gallbladder, pancreas and liver. Whether the pain is felt in lower right quadrant or the lower left quadrant of the abdomen is an important aspect that is looked into by the doctors to reach a diagnosis. Those of you who have been experiencing recurring lower abdominal pain must consult a doctor soon. Here's some information on some of the causes of pain in lower abdomen.

Lower Abdominal Pain: Causes

As I mentioned earlier, pain in the lower abdomen could be attributed to several medical conditions. Here are some of the health problems that could be responsible for abdominal pain.

Appendicitis

Pain in the lower abdomen could be caused due to appendicitis. The appendix is a narrow tube or a finger-like pouch that is located on the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. This close ended narrow tube is situated at the ileocecal junction, the place where the ileum from the small intestine and the cecum from the colon come together. It could become inflamed due to inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, infection in the gastrointestinal tract or trauma to the abdomen. Besides pain in lower right abdomen, an inflamed appendix could also give rise to symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite and abdominal swelling. Those who have been experiencing pain that starts from the belly button and moves on to the lower right abdomen, must consult a doctor soon. If left untreated, the appendix may burst giving rise to an infection. Sometimes such complications can even lead to death.

Cystitis

Cystitis is a medical condition associated with the inflammation of the lining of the bladder. It is one of the most common types of urinary tract infection. Though both men and women can suffer from cystitis, women are more vulnerable. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis include swelling in the abdomen, burning sensation while urinating, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, blood in urine and lower abdominal pain. An early diagnosis is important because lack of medical treatment can lead to complications. If left untreated, this might cause an infection in your kidneys. Pain in the lower abdomen could also be caused due to gallbladder disease. The obstruction of the passage of bile out of the gallbladder is one of the common causes of gallbladder disease. The symptoms of gallbladder disease also include a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, nausea, heartburn, fever and vomiting.

Kidney Stones

Lower abdominal pain could also be caused due to kidney stones. When the minerals and salts such as calcium, struvite, cystine or uric acid present in the urine get crystallized, it leads to the formation of kidney stones. When the stones become large, sharp abdominal pain is felt when these move through the ureter. Besides pain in the lower abdomen, those suffering from kidney stones also experience symptoms such as pain during urination, back pain and frequent urge to urinate.

Stomach or Intestinal Disorders

Medical conditions such as Crohn's disease, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, colon cancer or digestive health problems can also cause lower abdominal pain in men and women. Lower abdominal pain after eating could be caused due to constipation, diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, celiac disease, food poisoning and bowel obstruction.

Conditions Associated with Reproductive Organs

Women could also experience pain in the lower abdomen due to medical conditions associated with reproductive organs. Lower abdominal pain and cramps might also be experienced during menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and endometriosis are likely to cause lower abdominal pain in women. Lower abdominal pain during pregnancy could be caused due to a condition caused ectopic pregnancy. It is caused due to implantation of fertilized egg in the fallopian tube or the ovary. When the egg develops, the tube starts stretching. If left undetected, the embryo will continue to develop in the fallopian tube. This causes lower right abdominal pain. Men can also suffer from abdominal pain due to testicular torsion or seminal vesiculitis.

Lower Abdominal Pain: Treatment

The treatment options will depend on its underlying cause. Those of you who often experience pain in the lower abdomen must get themselves medically examined. It is extremely important to identify the underlying cause. The earlier the diagnosis, the better will be the chances of recovery. Doctors generally conduct some diagnostic tests such as blood test, urine analysis and imaging procedures such as ultrasound, endoscopy, X-ray and CT scan to ascertain the underlying cause. Many a times, pain might be attributed to unhealthy dietary habits. Under these circumstances, one might find relief by changing one's dietary habits. If abdominal pain is associated with medical conditions such as appendicitis, cystitis, gallbladder diseases, kidney stones, hernia or peptic ulcers, the treatment will generally involve the use of prescription drugs, lifestyle changes or surgery.

These were the causes and treatment options of lower abdominal pain. If you have been experiencing recurring pain in your lower abdomen, don't ignore it. Consult a doctor immediately.