Are you feeling this too?

The abdomen contains all the important organs of digestion and excretion - the stomach, intestines, liver and gall-bladder, pancreas, kidneys, and ureters - as well as the spleen (important in blood cell formation and breakdown) and the adrenal glands. The lower abdomen or pelvis contains the internal organs of reproduction - the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus in women and the seminal vesicles and prostate in men - and the bladder. Abdominal pain may be caused by disorders in any of these organs. The severity, speed, and circumstances of onset, site, and accompanying symptoms of the pain will usually give a good indication of whether its cause is a minor or serious disorder.

Consult a doctor immediately:

• if pain follows a blow or injury to the abdomen or back.

• If the pain remains severe or gets worse over 2 hours.

• If the pain is associated with vomiting (especially vomiting blood), fever, or fainting.

• If pain occurs in a woman who is or may be pregnant, especially if it is accompanied by dizziness or fainting and/or any abdominal bleeding from the vagina.

See a doctor as soon as possible:

• If pain is bad enough to interfere with sleep or usual daily activities.

• If bouts of pain are recurrent.

• If there have been previous attacks of similar pain due to peptic ulcers, gallstones, kidney stones, or suspected appendicitis.

• When there is persistent pain, even if not severe, in a child under 6 or an elderly person.

Possible causes of abdominal pain:

• Disorders of the alimentary canal, including gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastroenteritis, appendicitis, colitis, diverticulitis, indigestion, bowel obstruction, or perforation.

• Disorders of the digestive glands, such as hepatitis, cholecystitis, gallstones, pancreatitis. Digestive system pain may be felt in the upper, middle, or lower abdomen: it is often colicky and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

• Urinary disorders, including nephritis, pyelonephritis, urinary stones, cystitis. Kidney pain is usually. Felt in the small of the back. Bladder disorders cause pain in the lower abdomen or genitals.

• Disorders of the reproductive system. In women, the commonest causes are dysmenorrhea (cramps associated with normal menstruation), disorders of early pregnancy such as abortion (miscarriage), ectopic pregnancy, salpingitis, and other pelvic infections, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and ovulation pain. These conditions usually cause lower abdominal or lower back pain and may be accompanied by abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina. In men, the commonest reproductive disorder causing abdominal pain is prostatitis.