Gastrointestinal system symptoms are associated with a wide range of conditions. Such may include infective processes, inflammatory conditions, cancers and ulcers among others. Abdominal pain is something that most in the city of Greenbelt, MD, have had to deal with at one time or the other. More often than not, the cause of the problem is related to the underlying structures. In this article we look at the different types of pain that exist and how to deal with them.
The first thing that one needs to do as they attempt to identify the origin is to establish where it is most intense. The source is likely to be the anatomic structures that are located beneath this area. For instance, if it is the epigastric region, the organs most likely to be affected are the stomach or the liver which means the most probable diagnoses are gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or hepatitis. If it is most severe around the belly button, on the other hand, the intestines are likely to be involved.
The character and pattern of the symptom can both be used in identifying the pain. For example, dull and diffuse pain is likely due to a condition affecting a solid internal organ. In contrast, if the symptom is localized and constricting in nature it is probably coming from a hollow or tubular structure such a ureter or the intestines. Another way of utilizing patterns is to study the associated symptoms. The presence of associated diarrhea, for example, suggests an infection.
After the history and the physical exam, the next thing that needs to be done is to have some investigations. These will mostly be guided by the suspected diagnosis. In case an infection is suspected, a septic screen is conducted. This involves, among others, a full blood count. The focus here is to establish whether there is an increase in the number of white cells and the subtypes affected. Other components of the screen include cerebrospinal fluid analysis, urine culture and blood culture.
Radiological images go a long way into localizing the source. Plain radiographs are useful in assessing the distribution of fluids within the abdomen. For instance, in the event of intestinal obstruction, gaseous distension of intestines can be easily seen. Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI are mainly used when one needs to asses internal solid organs such as the liver, the spleen, the pancreas and the kidneys among others.
Management of this condition is widely varied. It is mostly dependent on the underlying diagnosis. For a majority of the conditions no form of treatment is needed. Others may just require a few over the counter drugs. Persons with peptic ulcers will experience relief when they take antacids. Those in whom an infection has been demonstrated antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, antifungals and antiviral drugs will be administered depending on which of these pathogens is present.
Surgery may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the cause of the problem. A significant proportion of the conditions may not be diagnosed until when the abdominal cavity is opened. This is because opening up the cavity allows direct visualization of the area. It also makes it possible to intervene simultaneously when the problem is identified. Examples of conditions diagnosed during laparotomy include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancies and tumors.
Pain in the abdomen is a very common complaint. While many of the cases resolve spontaneously, there are others that are more serious and require further investigation and more aggressive interventional measures. Inflammatory conditions, infections, drugs, trauma and tumors are all possible causes.
The first thing that one needs to do as they attempt to identify the origin is to establish where it is most intense. The source is likely to be the anatomic structures that are located beneath this area. For instance, if it is the epigastric region, the organs most likely to be affected are the stomach or the liver which means the most probable diagnoses are gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or hepatitis. If it is most severe around the belly button, on the other hand, the intestines are likely to be involved.
The character and pattern of the symptom can both be used in identifying the pain. For example, dull and diffuse pain is likely due to a condition affecting a solid internal organ. In contrast, if the symptom is localized and constricting in nature it is probably coming from a hollow or tubular structure such a ureter or the intestines. Another way of utilizing patterns is to study the associated symptoms. The presence of associated diarrhea, for example, suggests an infection.
After the history and the physical exam, the next thing that needs to be done is to have some investigations. These will mostly be guided by the suspected diagnosis. In case an infection is suspected, a septic screen is conducted. This involves, among others, a full blood count. The focus here is to establish whether there is an increase in the number of white cells and the subtypes affected. Other components of the screen include cerebrospinal fluid analysis, urine culture and blood culture.
Radiological images go a long way into localizing the source. Plain radiographs are useful in assessing the distribution of fluids within the abdomen. For instance, in the event of intestinal obstruction, gaseous distension of intestines can be easily seen. Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI are mainly used when one needs to asses internal solid organs such as the liver, the spleen, the pancreas and the kidneys among others.
Management of this condition is widely varied. It is mostly dependent on the underlying diagnosis. For a majority of the conditions no form of treatment is needed. Others may just require a few over the counter drugs. Persons with peptic ulcers will experience relief when they take antacids. Those in whom an infection has been demonstrated antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, antifungals and antiviral drugs will be administered depending on which of these pathogens is present.
Surgery may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the cause of the problem. A significant proportion of the conditions may not be diagnosed until when the abdominal cavity is opened. This is because opening up the cavity allows direct visualization of the area. It also makes it possible to intervene simultaneously when the problem is identified. Examples of conditions diagnosed during laparotomy include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancies and tumors.
Pain in the abdomen is a very common complaint. While many of the cases resolve spontaneously, there are others that are more serious and require further investigation and more aggressive interventional measures. Inflammatory conditions, infections, drugs, trauma and tumors are all possible causes.
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