Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 10/22/2021
Doctor's Notes on Abdominal Pain in Adults
Abdominal pain in adults has many different causes. These can include infections of the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, appendicitis, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney stones. Sometimes, ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids in women, testicular problems in men, heart attack, skin rashes, or urinary tract infections can be causes of abdominal pain in adults.
Signs and symptoms associated with abdominal pain depend on the cause of the pain. Symptoms can include:
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- weight loss,
- constipation,
- bloating,
- gas, and
- abdominal cramping or tenderness.
Other possible symptoms include:
- blood in the stool or urine,
- abdominal masses,
- testicular pain,
- back pain,
- pain with urination,
- pain with sexual intercourse, and
- discharge from the penis or vagina.
What Is the Treatment for Abdominal Pain in Adults?
Treatment for abdominal pain in adults varies widely, depending on the cause of the pain and the conditions that may be causing the pain. It is important to determine whether the pain is coming from the digestive system or is related to another condition such as a heart attack, urinary tract infection, or endometriosis. Treatments may include:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Antacids or other medications for indigestion and heartburn
- Medications to reduce inflammation
- Dietary changes for food allergies or intolerance
- Laxatives or antidiarrheal medications
- Surgery for acute emergencies such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction
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Aortic Aneurysm (Abdomen and Thorax - Chest)
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Appendicitis
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Clostridium Difficile (C. difficile)
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Colitis
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Crohn's Disease
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Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
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Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease in which abnormal endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus and other organs commonly found in the pelvic area. Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms, but others with the disease may experience pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and during pelvic exams, cramping during sex, bowel movements, or while urinating. The four stages of endometriosis are minimal, mild, moderate, and severe. Medications and surgery are treatments for endometriosis. Endometriosis is a chronic condition and there is no cure. -
Gallstones
Gallstones are solid particles that form from bile in the gallbladder. There are two types of gallstones, cholesterol and pigment. Causes of gallstones vary, and risk factors include female gender, obesity, crash dieting, and some medications. There are a variety of treatments for gallstones depending on the severity of the condition. -
Gastritis
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Hernia (Types, Symptoms, and Surgery)
A hernia results when the contents of a body cavity bulge out of their normal area. There are many types of hernia, including inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, Spigelian, obturator, and epigastric hernias. Hernias may be caused by coughing, obesity, heavy lifting, straining, fluid in the abdominal cavity, or chronic lung disease. Symptoms and signs include a lump or bulge, pain, and possible fever. Hernias are generally surgically repaired. -
Kidney Stones
The kidney filters waste products and excess water from the body. Sometimes, because of factors that include heredity, diet, and medications, waste products crystallize in the kidney, forming stones. Symptoms and signs include severe pain, sweating, nausea, vomiting, infection, blood in the urine, and others. Treatment includes medications, fluids, and other procedures. -
Ovarian Cysts
There are several different types of ovarian cysts (noncancerous growths). Follicular, corpus luteum, hemorrhagic, dermoid, endometrioid (endometriomas), polycystic-appearing ovary, and cystadenoma. There are a variety of causes of ovarian cysts. Some are previous history, irregular menses, increased upper body fat, early menses, infertility, hypothyroidism, or side effect of medication. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, pain after sex, urination, or bowel movements, nausea, or vomiting. Treatment depends upon the cause of the ovarian cyst. -
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, one of the most non-responsive to treatment, and one of the hardest to diagnose; in one recent year, 84 % of those diagnosed in the U.S. died of the disease. It affects the pancreas, which is a crucial abdominal organ that produces insulin to maintain blood sugar, and it performs other functions crucial to digestion and metabolism. -
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of a woman's reproductive organs (cervicitis, salpingitis, endometritis, and peritonitis) is an STD caused by either the Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Symptoms of PID include abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, heavy vaginal discharge, painful urination, or painful intercourse. Treatment is generally with antibiotics or surgery. -
Peptic Ulcer
Ulcers are caused by stomach acid which has eaten away at part of the inner lining of the digestive system. "Peptic" describes the location of an ulcer in the stomach or upper small intestine. Causes of peptic ulcers include NSAIDs, physical or emotional stress, cigarette smoking, radiation therapy, caffeine, and H. pylori infection. Symptoms of peptic ulcer include abdominal pain, gnawing or burning pain that may be felt in the back. The pain from peptic ulcer may last from a few minutes to a few hours. Treatment of peptic ulcer depends upon the cause. -
Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites. -
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes that line the colon. Symptoms of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency for a bowel movement, fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Treatment for UC include medication and lifestyle changes. On occasion, surgery may be a necessary treatment for ulcerative colitis.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.