Stomach pain is one of the most common symptoms people experience. It can range from mild discomfort caused by indigestion or gas, to severe pain caused by conditions such as appendicitis, gallstones, pancreatitis or intestinal obstruction.
Jennie, professor, department of general Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai. The location of abdominal pain can sometimes point to the organ involved. Burning or discomfort in the upper abdomen or lower chest may occur with acid-peptic disorders. Pain in the right upper abdomen, particularly after meals, can occur with gallbladder disease. Severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back may be seen in pancreatitis. Mild, short-lived pain that improves after passing stools or gas, resting or drinking fluids is generally less concerning. In contrast, sudden, severe, localised, persistent or progressively worsening pain should be assessed by a doctor. The symptoms accompanying abdominal pain often provide a better indication of urgency than the pain alone. Persistent vomiting can cause dehydration and may also occur with intestinal obstruction. Fever may suggest infection or inflammation. Dr. Jennie suggests remembering the SHARP warning signs: sudden or severe pain; associated symptoms such as vomiting, fever, bleeding, jaundice or confusion; advanced age, particularly with chronic illnesses; rigidity or marked tenderness of the abdomen; and pain during pregnancy or after surgery. Chest pain or difficulty breathing along with upper abdominal pain also warrants urgent assessment, as some heart conditions can mimic abdominal discomfort. Dr. Arul Prakash notes that patients have occasionally mistaken heart attack symptoms for acidity and treated themselves with over-the-counter medicines. People with previous abdominal surgery, gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease or chronic liver, kidney or other major illnesses should also seek medical advice sooner when they develop new or unusual pain.
“Some people with a serious condition may have only mild discomfort, while others with a less serious problem may experience severe pain,” says S. However, these patterns are only clues and should not be used for self-diagnosis, says Arul Prakash, gastroenterologist, SRM Prime Hospital, Chennai. “It is difficult to differentiate between a minor and major problem based only on pain,” he says.
