There are many causes for abdominal pain. Pregnancy is one of the most common causes, but abdominal pain can also be a symptom of another condition. It can be worsened by certain foods and activities, including urination. Over-the-counter medications may also cause abdominal pain. If abdominal pain is accompanied by painful urination, it could be a sign of a bladder infection. Imaging exams and blood and urine tests can help a doctor diagnose the cause of your pain and determine the best course of treatment.
Appendicitis
Pain in the lower right side of the abdomen can be caused by various reasons, such as an obstruction in your digestive system, urinary tract infection, or reproductive organs. Depending on what you are experiencing, the treatment you receive will be different. For less severe causes, such as abdominal gas, OTC pain medications are sufficient, while a kidney infection or stone will require intravenous pain management.
In determining whether or not you have appendicitis, a careful history, physical exam, and imaging studies may be necessary. A CT scan, for example, can help confirm the diagnosis. The scan can also tell whether the inflammation is localized. If the pain is severe and gets worse when you move, it could be an indication that your appendix has ruptured. If the pain is sudden or severe, however, it is important to seek treatment immediately.
Kidney infections
If you’re experiencing persistent pain, fever, or changes in your urination pattern, you may have a kidney infection. The infection is treatable with antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe a heating pad or other pain-relieving medication to help ease the pain. You should also drink lots of water. The infection should clear up in a couple of days, but you may need medical attention for it to be completely cured.
Getting a urine sample will give your doctor some useful information. Urine cultures can show whether you have a kidney infection, and high counts of bacteria and white blood cells in your urine can suggest the condition. In some cases, you can get a blood culture, which can show whether the infection has spread to your bloodstream. You may also be able to see a kidney blockage with a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones can cause severe pain that can be difficult to describe. If the pain is severe, it may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Pain near the right side of the abdomen can also be indicative of an appendicitis. In either case, it is important to seek medical attention. The pain can last for several minutes or longer. If left untreated, it could lead to an appendix rupture.
One of the common symptoms of kidney stones is blood in the urine. This can be red, pink, or brown in color and may be difficult to see without a microscope. However, blood cells may be too small to detect without a microscope. If you notice blood in your urine, you should see a doctor right away. Otherwise, it may be a symptom of an infection. Your doctor may recommend surgery.
Endometriosis
Symptoms of endometriosis can vary significantly, depending on the stage and severity of the disease. Although mild forms of the disease are not usually painful, other women with this condition may experience abdominal pain. Your healthcare provider will first examine your medical history, perform a physical exam, and conduct a pelvic exam. Then, your physician may perform a laparoscopy, a procedure that uses a thin tube and light to view the pelvis. The doctor may perform a biopsy to determine the presence or size of endometrial growths in your pelvis.
While a diagnosis for endometriosis may not be necessary in some women, the severity of the pain and the onset of pregnancy should be considered. Treatments may include medication to relieve symptoms, but in more severe cases, surgery may be needed. Although surgery improves fertility, it can result in infections and other complications. Endometriosis can also affect the ability to conceive, so your doctor may recommend other treatment options such as hormone replacement therapy or surgery.
Changes in bowel habits
Changes in bowel habits and pain in this area may be indicative of a medical condition. Changes in bowel habits can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. While these symptoms typically last for a day or two, they should be treated as soon as possible. Some symptoms of these conditions include mucus and blood in the stools, bloating, and weight loss.
A 28-year-old woman presents to a doctor with symptoms of alternating bowel habits. She has loosened and hardened stools. In addition to pain in the lower right part of the abdomen, she is experiencing bloating and abdominal discomfort. However, she does not have rectal bleeding or weight loss. She also has a persistent feeling of lethargy. Other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may include nausea, backache, and bladder problems.
Torsion of the testicle
In the case of severe pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of circulation, and testicular dislocation, a doctor will likely suspect a torsion of the testicle in the lower-right side of the abdomen. Depending on the severity of the torsion, it may also cause tissue death and loss of the testicle. Torsion of the testicle is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. A doctor will most likely perform emergency surgery to free up the testicle and correct its position.
This emergency surgery does not require a hospital stay, but it is not ideal if it takes place more than 12 hours after the injury. Surgical repair is the only way to correct this condition, and the testicle must be untwistled in order to restore blood flow. The testicle must be completely de-torched before the spermatic cord can be repaired. Although this procedure is minimally invasive, a testicular torsion surgery requires general anesthesia and may require the removal of the affected testicle. After the procedure, stitches are put in place to prevent further torsion.
