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Abdominal pain can be directly related to an organ such as the bladder, kidney, or liver. It can also originate in the digestive system due to appendicitis or food poisoning. The intensity of an abdominal pain ranges from a mild stomachache to severe acute pain. The pain can be sharp, cramp-like, piercing, or stabbing. The duration of an abdominal pain can be brief or may persist for several hours or longer. Abdominal pain may be associated with a multitude of conditions. Severe abdominal pain may indicate a problem in the female reproductive organs, which includes conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cancer, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Causes of abdominal pain:

• Appendicitis
• Ulcer infections
• Pregnancy
• Liver inflammation
• kidney stones formation
  
• Ruptured blood vessels
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) with or without gallstones
• Heart attack
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Liver disease and renal disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lactose intolerance
• Excessive stomach gas
• Food allergy or food poisoning
• Hernia

Most causes of abdominal pain can be readily diagnosed and treated. However, if abdominal pain is due to an underlying disease, it can cause serious illness. Therefore, it is important that you learn to recognize the symptoms of abdominal pain and their severity. You must seek immediate medical assistance under the following conditions:

• Abdominal pain that lasts for more than six hour
• Pain accompanied by vomiting
• Vaginal bleeding
• nausea and high fever
• Inability to urinate and pass stool
• Pain during Pregnancy
• Difficulty in breathing
• Prolonged poor appetite
• Bloody diarrhea
• Rigid and tender abdomen

Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain:

There are various potential causes of abdominal pain, so the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination and ask questions about the exact location and duration of pain. Followed by the initial evaluation, certain tests such as blood tests, urine tests, endoscopy, X-rays, or ultrasounds may be scheduled.

Treatment and Prevention:

• Use a heating pad to ease the pain.
• If the abdominal pain is due to appendicitis, hernia, or intestinal obstruction, immediate surgery would be required.
• Follow the instructions given by the health care provider, for example, if the pain is due to an ulcer, you must completely avoid the intake of caffeine and alcohol. If the pain is caused by gallbladder disease, you must avoid fatty and fried foods.
• Regularly take the recommended doses of antibiotics.
• Sip water or other clear fluids at shorter intervals.
• Avoid dairy products, citrus fruits, tomatoes, carbonated beverages, greasy foods, and alcohol.
• In cases where pain is accompanied by heartburn or indigestion, take antacids for instant relief.
• Eat a well-balanced and high-fiber diet. Eat six to seven small meals instead of three large meals.
• Exercise regularly and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.