Abdominal pain – when to seek help

The abdomen could be divided into lower and upper, but pain in the pelvis can also sometimes reproduce pain in the abdomen, so a clear distinction may sometimes not exist, and we will try to address pain by the areas of pain.

Abdominal pain is divided into acute (pain that arises suddenly) and chronic pain (lasting for a longer period). Acute pain is a much more dangerous occurrence and indicates a life-threatening condition. Chronic pain is most often not dangerous, but sometimes it can be a sign of various illnesses. Neglecting treatment leads to progression into chronic conditions.

Although acute pain in the abdominal area can be a sign of a life-threatening condition, it is still very often harmless pain caused by digestive problems.

The abdomen is otherwise divided into 9 regions. For practicality and easier understanding, we have divided abdominal pain into 5 different areas:

Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen

Pain in the upper part of the abdomen may be accompanied by symptoms such as: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. They may be associated with diseases of:

• the liver
• the bile ducts
• the gallbladder
• the kidneys
• the stomach

Pain in the central part

Pain in the middle of the abdomen (just below the breastbone) after eating is most often a sign of heartburn, i.e. gastritis. If, along with heartburn, you feel the urge to vomit, this may indicate a more serious disease, such as pancreatitis, liver disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Pain in the central upper part of the abdomen may be caused by diseases of the following organs:

• the heart
• the stomach
• the duodenum
• the pancreas
• the intestines
• the appendix

Pain in the upper left part

Pain in the upper left part of the abdomen may be accompanied by digestive issues and fever, and there may be suspicion of referred pain from a distant disease. The pain may be associated with diseases of:

• the kidneys
• the stomach
• the spleen
• the heart
• the pancreas
• the left kidney
• the intestines

Pain in the left part of the abdomen below the ribs may indicate problems with the heart or the respiratory system.

Pain in the lower right side

Pain in the lower part of the abdomen can occur in men, but it most often occurs in women. In most cases, it is referred pain from the spine or kidney disease.

However, everyone’s first thought when it comes to pain on the right side of the abdomen is appendicitis. Symptoms of acute appendicitis are pain in the lower right part of the abdomen, along with a feeling of nausea and frequent urination. When pain occurs, it is necessary to go to the doctor immediately.

Other diseases associated with pain on the right side of the abdomen:

• intestinal diseases
• urinary tract diseases
• diseases of the genital system.

Pain in the lower left side

Pain in the lower left part of the abdomen most often occurs with diverticulitis.

Diseases associated with pain on the left side of the abdomen:

• intestinal diseases (descending and sigmoid colon; most often diverticulosis)
• urinary tract diseases
• diseases of the genital system.

When to see a doctor

Not all conditions require a visit to the doctor. If it is an ordinary case of diarrhea, you can help yourself with an appropriate diet, rehydration, and rest. There are also more dangerous conditions in which urgent medical assistance is needed, such as: pain that occurs suddenly and is very intense, black stool and the appearance of blood in the stool, and sudden abdominal enlargement.

Do not hide symptoms and wait for an examination. Make an appointment today because with us you can complete all radiological and internal medicine examinations in one day:

More about radiological examinations: abdominal ultrasound , MSCT/CT of the abdomen, MRI of the abdomen and other examinations.

More about internal medicine examinations: colonoscopy, gastroscopy, gastroenterological evaluation and nephrological and urological evaluation.