The abdomen is a very vital part of the body. It lodges some of the most important organs of the body which carry on the process of digestion and excretion and influence metabolism of the body in various ways. Thus it is like a big box stuffed with various useful things. Abdominal pain serves as a signal to indicate that there is something wrong with some part inside. Abdominal pain can be due to something as simple as indigestion or constipation. It can be because of inflammation or malignancy of some part of the abdomen. Constipation, if present in an individual can cause pain in the lower abdomen or generalized. There can be associated nausea or vomiting. Inflammation or ulcer of the stomach or oesophagus or ulcer in proximal part of small intestine is the reason for burning pain in the chest and or upper part of abdomen. Inflammation of the pancreas also causes pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen, which is aggravated by bending forwards. Pain in the right upper part of the abdomen, aggravated by meals, is commonly due to inflammation of the gall bladder, more so in middle aged obese women. Diseases of the intestines usually produce pain in the middle or the sides of the abdomen. There may be associated diarrhoea or constipation. At times the lumen of the intestines may get occluded leading to severe pain and vomiting. Pain in the flanks, radiating to groin and or pain in lower abdomen is mostly due to inflammation or stones present in kidneys, ureters or urinary bladder. This is associated with burning in urination or difficulty to pass urine. Infections or inflammation of the reproductive organs results in pain in lower abdomen with associated itching, ulcer and or discharge. Infections like amoebiasis, giardiasis or ascaris cause a cramp like pain in sides or upper or lower part of the abdomen, depending on the part of intestines affected. Depending on the underlying cause, abdominal pain can be sudden or gradual in onset. The intensity varies according to the extent of inflammation or severity of infection of underlying part. Severe pain is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sweating. It needs a strong index of suspicion to diagnose the root cause of abdominal pain. At times it becomes difficult to ascertain even the fact that site of pain and discomfort for a person is in the abdomen. Severe pain occurring in upper abdomen along with nausea and sweating mimics heart attack of inferior surface of heart. Pain in the right or left side can be confused with pneumonia of lower part of lungs. Among all abdominal parts affections of liver are comparatively easy to diagnose. Pain in right upper part with yellow discoloration of eyes and enlarged liver are characteristics of inflammation of liver. Further investigations like blood and stool tests and ultrasound of the abdomen reveal the exact cause for pain. Some of the causes of abdominal pain need surgical correction like severe inflammation of gall bladder or intestinal occlusion. . But many conditions are treatable by drugs. Most of these causes for abdominal pain are preventable. If one takes a balanced diet with lot of fibre and drinks adequate amount of water, constipation and problem of bloating of abdomen can be prevented. Intake of small frequent meals with less of pepper and spices reduces the possibility of acute or chronic gastritis. Avoiding alcohol helps to avoid gastritis as well as pancreatitis and liver disorders. Good food hygiene maintained at the level of preparation, serving and eating of food helps in prevention of infections of the intestines. Observing good hygiene of private parts, disciplined and hygienic sexual activity helps in preventing infection of the pelvic parts and resultant pain. Drinking much water reduces risk of stone formation and also infection in the urinary system. Consuming less of red and white meat also diminishes the chances of stone formation. Thus with small measures taken in one’s day to day life, a person can reduce the risk of having abdominal pain. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk
