Abdominal pain is a common reason many people visit an emergency room seeking immediate care for their problem. People may experience pain or discomfort in the upper or lower abdomen above or below the navel.
Acute abdominal pain is severe and constant, resembling sharp or dull cramping. The pain worsens with moving or breath-holding. Some reasons for developing acute abdominal pain include gallstones, gastroenteritis, appendicitis, hernia, kidney stones, and constipation.
Abdominal Pain Explained
The abdomen is the portion of your body between your chest and pelvis. Discomfort in this region generally occurs from stomach problems like gastroenteritis, ulcers, intestinal obstruction, and other issues.
Pain in the stomach is often misleadingly identified as abdominal pain, even when it originates from different organs in the abdomen, like a kidney stone or peptic ulcer. In such cases, you may develop pain in the back instead of your stomach. Pain arising from the stomach is dangerous, and it is best to visit the emergency room in Texas, if you experience severe discomfort.
The Four Quadrants of Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain symptoms are standard, but the reasons for the discomfort can vary. Therefore it is essential that you know the four quadrants of abdominal pain.
The quadrants of pain in the abdomen are:
- Quadrant One: the upper right portion beneath the bottom of the ribs and above the navel is quadrant one.
- Quadrant Two: the upper left part beneath the bottom of the ribs is quadrant two.
- Quadrant Three: the lower left portion of the abdomen is identified as quadrant three.
- Quadrant Four: quadrant four refers to pain in the lower right abdomen.
Essential Factors to Differentiate between Upper and Lower Abdominal Pain
- Whenever experiencing abdominal pain, that is essential to differentiate between the discomfort in the upper and lower abdomen. Upper abdominal pain generally results from many problems, such as heartburn, ulcers, or an hiatal hernia.
- Gastrointestinal problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome are generally responsible for left-sided lower abdominal pain.
- The intensity of lower abdominal pain is generally higher and makes its presence felt on the lower right side of the stomach. Some factors responsible for the discomfort, whether you experience any symptoms or not, are your age, family history, and the conditions you may have. In addition, infections, menstrual pain, endometriosis, or kidney stones can also cause lower abdominal pain.
You must seek treatment from the ER near me if you are throwing up blood, have stopped bowel movements, or have bloody stools.
Signs and Symptoms of Abdominal Pain
Gas, constipation, kidney stones, appendicitis, liver disease, et cetera are the most common symptoms of abdominal pain. Many risk factors can heighten the chances of developing abdominal pain or digestive health disorders of other kinds. It includes your family history of such conditions or taking medications like opioids for chronic pain relief.
When To Visit an Emergency Room for Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain symptoms can point to different health conditions making it crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The pain you experience can range from mild to severe. If you experience persistent abdominal pain, it frequently helps if you get immediate care or visit an emergency room for relief from the condition. Some examples that require help from emergency rooms include the following:
- You have abdominal pain with vomiting, fever, or blood in the stools, making a diagnosis by a physician essential.
- You do not need emergency care if colic or gas pains occur in the upper right of the abdomen.
- Unfortunately, the unexpected onset of severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting requires immediate attention.
Treatment For Abdominal Pain
The treatment for the abdominal pain you experience will depend on the cause and the severity of the discomfort. However, whatever the reason, ignoring abdominal pain is harmful. It can result in severe conditions if left untreated. You must also discuss your symptoms with your doctor to understand the best treatment that suits your needs. Prescription medications are the most effective technique to relieve abdominal pain. The medications help with inflammation and ease the discomfort you feel that might accompany stomach or intestinal problems like gas and bloating. Home remedies are also beneficial, but you should consult your doctor before using them.
If you are concerned about abdominal pain and trying and find a remedy, Altus Baytown Emergency Room provides help if you have severe and persistent pain in the abdomen. Consult the emergency room today to receive support to alleviate your discomfort.
