Introduction

Abdominal pain is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) symptom that prompts clinical visits – and rightfully so. Pain in the abdomen is a rather common discomfort that everyone experiences at some point throughout their life; however, it is also possible that this pain could be related to an underlying medical condition. There are a few warning signs that imply there is a physical cause for abdominal pain, including an increase in severity, duration, and/or frequency of pain.¹ If any of these escalated symptoms arise, then it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention. Not only are GI disorders disruptive to normal life, they can be life-threatening. Being knowledgeable of the hazards of abdominal pain could promote preemptive measures to prevent the onset of certain GI disorders in the first place. If abdominal pain arises, it is important to understand its potential risks and implications to assist your healthcare provider in discovering the cause, providing an accurate diagnosis, and ensuring that you receive the proper subsequent treatment.

Pain can present in different forms and locations throughout the abdomen. Acute pain is characteristically sudden, severe, and lasting no longer than three months.² This typically more intense pain. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is characteristically less severe and lasting longer than three months, for the most part occurring on and off.² This type of pain is generally less intense as compared to acute pain, but it is no less serious. Both acute and chronic pain are reasons to visit your healthcare provider. The specific location of pain varies as well depending on the underlying issue. There are nine different regions of the abdomen³, evenly separated like squares on a checkers board as seen in the figure on the right. Pain can reside in any one or more of these designated areas, and it can be fixed in an area or progress to other areas over time. Abdominal pain in any of these forms or locations that surpasses a level of minor discomfort should be considered potentially dangerous, and a medical professional should be consulted.

Abdominal pain is often a red flag that indicates an underlying GI disorder. Throughout the United States, GI diseases account for substantial morbidity and mortality. It was found that 60 to 70 million Americans suffered from a digestive disease in 2010. Out of those people, 21.7 million were hospitalized. The number of deaths related to digestive diseases totaled 245,921.⁴ Out of the numerous GI disorders, some of the most common to present abdominal pain as a symptom are: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Celiac disease, and colorectal cancer. These disorders are all unsettling and could very well be life-threatening. It is essential to understand the risks, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and possible treatment or preventative options associated with each.

References:

1.  Chronic and Recurring Abdominal Pain. Merck Manuals Consumer Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive-disorders/symptoms-of-digestive-disorders/chronic-and-recurring-abdominal-pain. Accessed October 19, 2016.

2.  Abdominal Pain | Symptoms and Conditions | MUSC DDC. http://www.ddc.musc.edu/public/symptoms/abdominal-pain.html. Accessed October 19, 2016.

3.  Collins CE. A Short Course in Medical Terminology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013.

4.  Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/digestive-diseases-statistics-for-the-united-states.aspx. Accessed October 19, 2016.