Abdominal Pain
Chronic abdominal pain is defined as an intermittent or continuous abdominal discomfort that lasts for 6 months or more. The incidence of unspecified abdominal pain is 22.3 per 1000 person-years. Women are more likely than men to suffer from chronic abdominal pain. The diagnosis and management of patients with chronic abdominal pain is challenging due to the poor sensitivity of the history and examination and a large range of differentials. This can often be a frustrating experience for both the patient and physician.
Abdominal pain is often hard to diagnose. It typically displays certain characteristics including:
- poorly localized
- poorly defined, vague, diffuse
- can be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating
- can be associated with emotional responses
- low heart rate, low blood pressure
- intensity of pain not related to degree of injury
- can feel like a pressure, compression
- pain can be referred to other areas of your body (skin, other organs)
Some of the possible causes of chronic abdominal pain include:
Gyncaeological: endometriosis, ovarian cysts, ovulatory pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, adhesions, infections
Gastrointestinal: constipation, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, diverticulitis
Genitourinary: urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, urinary stones, prostatitis, orchalgia, prostatodynia
Musculoskeletal: referred lower back pain, myofascial pain, hernia
Neurological: nerve entrapment (ie ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, anterior cutaneous nerve) , postherpetic neuralgia
Helpful Resources:
- Better Health Victoria: Abdominal pain in adults fact sheet
- Health Direct: Underlying causes of abdominal pain
- MSD: Chronic abdominal pain and recurring abdominal pain information
- RANZCOG: Endometriosis information
- Musculoskeletal Australia: Managing your pain
- The Pain Toolkit
DisclaimerThe above information is for general education only and is not intended as a substitute for your own independant health advice. At Western Pain clinic we comprehensively assess each patients pain condition and provide advice using the latest evidence-based treatments. If you would like to find out more information about abdominal pain, please discuss this with our doctor during your consultation.