Any pain that occurs in the stomach, colon, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine or abdominal cavity is known as abdominal pain. The abdomen lies below the low boundary of the ribs and above the pelvic bone. It surrounded by the flanks on each side. Sometimes, abdomen pain is also referred to the pain that arises from organs outside but near the abdominal cavity.
For instance, pain in kidneys and lower lungs is generally described as abdominal pain. Moreover, in certain cases, pain from organs within the abdominal cavity seems to be from other body portions. For example, pancreatic inflammation pain is not felt in back instead of the abdominal cavity. These kinds of pains are termed as “referred pains” and are as common as abdominal pains.
Abdominal pain can be of many types. A stabbing pain that suddenly starts is known as acute abdominal pain. However, in certain cases, the abdominal pain is long lasting and constant. This type of pain is referred as chronic abdominal pain. Usually abdomen pain goes away with some time and does not pose serious health threats.
Nonetheless, in certain cases, abdominal pain can reflect a major problem in any of the issues located within the abdominal cavity. In order to diagnose the severity of the pain, it is important to know its characteristics such as duration, its location and timing of the pain. People suffering from abdominal pain for more than three days should consult a qualified physician for further assistance.
The type of abdominal pain that leads to the swelling of the abdominal area is known as bloating. The symptoms include feeling of tight abdomen and variation in the borborygmus.There are many causes for bloating; the most common is the presence of liquids and formation of intestinal gas. In medical terminology, bloating is referred to as ascites, which occurs due to the presence of large amount of liquids.
Other causes include, food allergy, lactose, fructose or other foods intolerances, air swallowing, irritable bowel syndrome, visceral fat, gastric distension, constipation, menstruation, partial bowel syndrome, splenic-flexure syndrome, ovarian cysts, alvarez syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, intestinal parasites and gastric dumping syndrome. Bloating can be controlled by taking a warm bath, health supplements and over the counter medicines.
Gas occurs mostly due to indigestion or overeating various foods and is passed through the rectum or by burping. It is normal to pass gas about 24 times and a day. However, many people fear that they have excessive gas after passing it a few times a day. An average human being is known to pass gas 14 times daily and produces up to 3 pints.
The composition of gas comprises of oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. The stench is due to the presence of sulfur in the gas that is released by the bacteria present in the large intestine. Although this medical condition is very among people of all ages, many dislike it. Majority of the people find it embarrassing to pass gas in public.
Gas within the digestive tract forms mainly due to swallowed air and breakdown of food particles by bacteria residing in the colon. Swallowed air is one of the common reasons for gas in our body. When we eat food, we swallow some air with it. However, while smoking, chewing a bubble gum and eating hurriedly, more air enters in our body. Half of this air is expelled by burping. The remaining air moves to the intestines. Part of it is absorbed in the small intestine and the remaining is pushed out of the rectum.
Another common reason for the production of gas is when undigested foods pass into the large intestine; the bacteria present there break it down into smaller parts. During this process, gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide are produced. These gases are pushed out from the rectum. A few people also experience the expulsion of methane gas. So far no concrete reason has been found as why methane is formed in certain individuals. Taking prescribed medicines, monitoring the intake of food, avoiding edibles that cause gas and reducing the amount of swallowed air can treat gas problems.
A discomforting feeling in the upper region of the abdomen which is accompanied by bloating, nausea, blenching and in certain cases vomiting, is known as indigestion. The symptoms of indigestion include ulcers, food intolerance, heartburn, aerophagia, and non-ulcer dyspepsia. Treatments for indigestion include barium meal test and ultrasound. A few drugs are also help in ejecting air out of the body.
