Lower abdominal pain

Lower abdominal pain occur in very many people in the course of their lives. They can have a wide variety of causes, because pelvic pain comes from both the intestinal area and the gynecological area. But problems with the spine and connective tissue can also lead to lower abdominal pain.

What is lower abdominal pain?

A quick blood count, ultrasound, MRI, computed tomography and physical examination provide information about the reasons for the pelvic pain.

There are many types of pelvic pain and only a doctor can determine what is causing it. Abdominal pain of any kind is one of the most common symptoms that lead people to doctors' offices and hospital emergency rooms.

Pain in the lower abdomen is not always caused by a serious illness, but this should definitely be clarified by a doctor. Because dangerous diseases such as an intestinal obstruction, urological disease, appendicitis or an ectopic pregnancy could be behind the pelvic pain.

The motto is that if you have pelvic pain, it is better to go to the doctor once too often than too rarely. Even harmless types of constipation and gas can cause significant abdominal pain.

causes

So there are many reasons for pelvic pain and the cause must be found out quickly. In kidney patients, a stone in the lower urinary tract and bladder can cause pain. The dreaded appendicitis requires a quick diagnosis, because a perforated appendix not only hurts a lot, but it can also be life-threatening if it breaks into the free abdominal cavity.

An ectopic pregnancy, which is not that rare, also requires emergency treatment. The fertilized egg has settled in one of the woman's fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus, which not only inflames it, but can also cause it to burst. Intestinal diseases such as gastrointestinal infections, constipation and the dangerous intestinal obstruction also lead to lower abdominal pain.

Weak connective tissue in the abdominal area can not only hurt, but also cause a break. Slipped discs are also often expressed as pelvic pain.

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Diseases with this symptom

• Appendicitis
• Intestinal obstruction

• Ruptured appendix
• Ectopic pregnancy

• Kidney stones
• Urinary stones

Diagnosis & course

Home remedies ↵ for abdominal
pain Treatment of lower abdominal pain is based on the diagnosis made by the doctor. The patient will only be given pain medication when this diagnosis has been finally made, which is sometimes not that easy, especially in the lower abdomen.

A quick blood count, ultrasound, MRI, computed tomography and physical examination provide information about the reasons for the pelvic pain. In the past, the occurrence of all pelvic pain was also called "acute abdomen", but this term is now out of date. The occurrence of pelvic pain, for example in infants and small children, is problematic. Since they cannot yet say where and how it hurts, the pediatrician has to find out what is behind the symptoms as soon as possible.

Since infants in particular often suffer from gastrointestinal infections due to their not yet fully developed immune system, it is imperative to hurry, because the loss of fluid is life-threatening with diarrhea and vomiting at the same time.

Complications

Pain in the lower abdomen can lead to serious or even life-threatening complications. Therefore, if the cause is unclear and the pain is severe, an immediate doctor's visit is advisable. Breakthroughs are one of the most significant complications of bowel disease. If the intestinal wall tears at one point and intestinal contents get into the abdominal cavity, this is called a breakthrough.

Special care is therefore also required with hernias or hernias. The intestines can become trapped here and blood vessels are squeezed. The result is that the intestinal contents are held up and the peritoneum becomes inflamed.This complication occurs primarily with femoral hernias, which are rarer overall and almost exclusively affect women.

In the case of sudden, severe pain in the right lower abdomen, it may be appendicitis. Immediate treatment is vital here. Even if there are signs of an acute abdomen with sudden, severe abdominal pain and a board-hard stomach, a hospital must be visited immediately.

Entanglements in the intestine sometimes lead to serious complications: if parts of the intestine are intruded or twisted, this can lead to circulatory disorders and even an intestinal obstruction. If reflux disease is present, a possible complication is changes in the cells in the lower part of the esophagus. If this resemblance to the cells of the stomach, Barrett's ulcer develops.

When should you go to the doctor?

Cramping pelvic pain is common in women during menstruation and can be relieved by warmth and pain medication. A visit to the gynecologist should take place if the pain persists for several days despite these measures or even intensifies. Exceptionally heavy bleeding in connection with pain should also be clarified by a doctor. Abdominal pain outside of your period requires a doctor's visit if it occurs suddenly and severely or is accompanied by other symptoms such as burning sensation when urinating or blood in the urine.

A doctor should be consulted immediately, especially during pregnancy! In men, abdominal pain can also indicate a bladder infection, but also a disease of the prostate or testicles: Symptoms that persist for days or that worsen rapidly are best clarified by a urologist.

Pain in the lower abdomen can be triggered by intestinal diseases in both sexes - if they occur in connection with nausea, vomiting and fever, you should see your family doctor as soon as possible. Pain or pulling in the groin and a bulging that increases when coughing can indicate a hernia, which may have to be treated surgically - a doctor should be consulted immediately, especially in the case of acute symptoms.

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Treatment & Therapy

In the urological area, a urether tube can be placed when a stone is found or if there is pain in the lower abdomen. Anticonvulsants relax the kidney and may move the stone out of the urinary tract naturally, but stones may also be broken with lasers.

Ectopic pregnancies usually require an operation, which leads to an abortion while preserving the fallopian tube. If there is a confirmed suspicion of appendicitis, the patient is operated on as soon as possible to avoid the dangerous perforation and thus peritonitis. Herniated discs are conventionally treated with anti-inflammatory and pain relievers or are operated on because they can potentially lead to paralysis of the musculoskeletal system.

If there is a fracture, a hernia ligament is applied and the operation is performed as soon as possible. Breaks are very common in male infants and in men in general, but there are also female sufferers. In the case of an intestinal obstruction, immediate measures are also necessary to avoid the life-threatening mesenteric infarction, i.e. the death of part of the intestine. Diarrheal diseases are treated specifically for the pathogen. Viruses, bacteria and protozoa can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening not only for children but also for old people.

It is important to treat the pathogen accordingly and, at the same time, to bring the water and electrolyte balance back into balance with infusions. Various cancers can also cause pelvic pain, and they can affect the bladder, genital area, and bowel area.

Outlook & forecast

Pain in the lower abdomen doesn't always need to be treated by a doctor. The symptoms are mostly temporary and often disappear after a few hours. This is especially true for harmless triggers such as intolerance, menstrual cramps, minor allergies or an upset stomach.

However, if the symptoms persist for a longer period of time or if there are accompanying symptoms such as fever or nausea, a doctor must be consulted quickly. There may be a serious gastrointestinal infection which, with medical care, will be over within a few days. If not treated, however, the infection can spread and as a result various complications can occur.

The same applies to pelvic pain as a result of an ovarian cyst or inflammation of the ovaries. An ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening if left untreated; If the operation is carried out quickly and there are no complications, the prognosis is also quite positive.

After the treatment is over, the pelvic pain usually also decreases rapidly. The prognosis is always based on the cause, the constitution of the patient and the time of treatment. Serious illnesses can occur in the abdomen, but temporary pain is unproblematic and promises a positive prognosis. If the complaints persist, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification.

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prevention

Pain in the lower abdomen can be avoided through a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet rich in fiber. Those who drink enough water, do without alcohol and get enough sleep help avoid pelvic pain.

Preventive medical check-ups are usually free in Germany and they help to avoid serious illnesses. If you pay attention to all of this and have yourself checked regularly, the risk of pelvic pain is considerably reduced.

You can do that yourself

The limits of self-treatment for pelvic pain depend on the intensity and duration of the pain. In the event of severe pain and fever as well as impending circulatory collapse, medical treatment must be given immediately. The cause can be an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis. A rupture of the fallopian tubes or the appendix can lead to a life-threatening condition and the emergency call must be canceled.

If the symptoms occur with weak to medium intensity, antispasmodic and pain relievers can be taken. Local heat applications have also proven their worth. A cherry stone pillow provides pleasant warmth for a long time and helps relieve cramps. In the case of menstrual cramps, the consumption of medicinal plants such as monk's pepper or yam is also recommended. These are available in tea or powder form.

In the case of inflammation of the urinary tract, heat applications, warm hip baths and preparations made from centaury, rosemary and lovage also help. Adequate hydration should also be ensured. A tea made from nettle flushes the urinary tract. Increased intake of fluids, warmth, light exercise and fine healing clay also help with constipation and intestinal inflammation. This is available in Refom and health food stores.

If the pain radiates from the kidney area, kidney stones could cause the symptoms. Self-treatment is not possible here either. The visit to the family doctor should take place promptly. The same applies to myomas of the uterine lining.