Understanding Abdominal Pain

What Is Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain is, fortunately, rarely serious, and it is incredibly common. It is best defined as pain that is felt between the chest and groin area. If you are experiencing abdominal pain, it is good to know whether or not that pain might indicate a serious problem. It is always best to err on the side of caution, as the intensity of the pain you might be feeling doesn’t necessarily correlate to how serious the cause of the pain might be.

Some abdominal pains might feel incredibly intense, causing something like severe gas or gastroenteritis to feel like something more extreme. Viral gastroenteritis can also cause such pain. On the other hand, there are some conditions which are fatal that might only present with mild pain, such as colon cancer or early appendicitis.

What Kind of Abdominal Pain Are You Having?

To help narrow things down, especially when speaking with a medical professional, consider the type of pain you are feeling.

What Can Cause Abdominal Pain?

It is important not to self-diagnose, but it does help to have an idea of what could be the source of it. Some are usually less of a cause for concern, such as food allergies, food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach flu, or constipation.

Some other causes of abdominal pain might be:

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

There are options for treating abdominal pain at home, but it helps to know when you should seek out the help of a medical professional, including calling for emergency help (911).

A more comprehensive list of problem pains and symptoms, as well as causes, can be found at the National Library of Medicine.

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