What are the causes of severe abdominal pain?

One can face abdominal pain quite often, for various reasons, sometimes mild and sometimes severe. This article details out the causes of severe abdominal pain, in order to help you to avoid any further complications.

Why does it pain?

Abdomen is the region around the belly, surrounded by organs like the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach small intestine and colon. Abdominal pain arises when these organs or any of the surrounding parts in abdominal cavity get affected.

Causes of pain

There could be several reasons or combination of reasons that lead to severe abdominal pain. One has to find the root cause and treat it on time. Listed below are the main causes that lead to severe abdominal pain. - Inflammation of the important abdominal organs like intestines, gallbladder and stomach, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration and loss of appetite. Examples are appendicitis, colitis, diverticulitis and gastroenteritis (inflammation of intestines), pancreatitis, pneumonia. - Abnormal stretching, contraction, distension or blockage of an organ. For example: obstruction of the intestine, irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) causing bowel pain, swelling of liver due to hepatitis. - Lack of proper blood supply to an organ. E.g.: Ischemic colitis leading to colon pain and abdominal cramps. - Urinary tract infections and parasitic infections are the most common causes of abdominal pain. - Cancers and tumours. E.g.: Colon cancer, where the colon is blocked by a tumour, resulting in colon pain and severe cramping. - Pelvic area, the lower part of abdomen is a common site for pain during sex, both in men and women. This pelvic pain arises because of problems in organs in pelvic area, like those of uterus, ovaries, cervix or vagina in women, or prostate in men. - Women often face stomach ache, abdominal pain and uterine pain during regular menstrual periods, ovulation and pregnancy period. Abnormalities like formation of cysts, fluid-filled bodies or miscarriage could be the reasons for pain. - Food allergies, improper food habits. E.g.: Milk and certain juices are not easily digested by children, and they develop abdominal pain, followed by vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea or skin rashes. - Even adults cannot digest few types of foods, and when they maintain improper food habits, it leads to gastric pain, constipation and severe pain in the abdomen. - Overdose of drugs, or unfavourable drug interactions while using multiple drugs can also cause abdominal pain and ulcers. - Mental stress and excessive body strain also affect our physiological functioning in long term, leading to severe cramps and stomach ache.

Conclusion

So, be cautious whenever you face pain symptoms of severe and prolonged abdominal pain. Check with a doctor, diagnose with suitable medical tests and follow prescriptions in order to avoid complications.