Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain and the many findings that may accompany it can be a sign of some important diseases. These diseases cover a very wide range, from digestive disorders to cancer.

Findings:

• Acute pancreatitis causes severe and worsening upper abdominal pain. Weakness, shortness of breath and nausea are other findings.
• Appendicitis starts as general abdominal pain and usually settles in the lower right side of the abdomen.
• Gallstone pain (biliary colic) causes pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, sometimes spreading to the back. Nausea and vomiting are also common.
• Crohn's disease produces findings similar to appendicitis; bloody diarrhea may also be part of the picture.
• Diverticulitis causes lower left abdominal pain that worsens over time.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes digestive problems and a burning sensation that increase after meals. It gets worse especially when lying flat. The pain it causes can wake the patient from sleep at night.
• Hepatitis causes pain in the upper right abdomen and nausea/vomiting.
• Pancreatic cancer can also produce findings similar to pancreatitis.

Treatment:

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed with various imaging methods, endoscopic methods and laboratory tests, treatment specific to the cause is planned.