and cause the patient to report abdominal pain

Immunocompromised patients. Particular causes of abdominal pain in this group include: Gastritis - can be due to pathogens such as Candida spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Hepatic pathology - cholecystitis with atypical pathogens, AIDs-related cholangitis, liver abscess.

Full Answer

What are the causes of abdominal pain?

Consequently, the following is a list of potential less serious causes of abdominal pain (many health care professionals may add or subtract from this list): Angina (recurrent known symptoms) Bloating Cystitis Chronic recurrent diseases (cancers, colitis, and others) Endometriosis

Is abdominal pain a different diagnosis in the emergency department?

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for patient visits in the emergency department (ED) of tertiary care hospitals, and differential diagnosis in such cases is broad because of the wide spectrum of possible underlying pathologies.

What factors predict the need for hospitalization for abdominal pain?

Our data from this small prospective clinical trial suggest that increasing abdominal pain intensity, presence of Murphy or McBurney signs, abnormal radiologic findings and elevated CRP are potential predictors of the need for hospitalization.

How is abdominal pain diagnosed?

Abdominal pain is common, and a person can help their doctor diagnose the source of abdominal discomfort or pain by simply focusing on the location, type, and intensity of pain. Moreover, there are a variety of reasons why some causes of abdominal pain are often difficult to diagnose initially.

What is the most common cause of abdominal injuries?

The majority of abdominal injury patients sustained blunt trauma (95%) and only 5% had penetrating injuries [Table 1]. MVCs were the most frequent mechanism of injury (61%) followed by fall from height (25%) and fall of heavy object (7%). The penetrating abdominal trauma was mainly due to stab (4.5%) wounds.

What is the first aid management of abdominal injuries?

Assist the patient to lie down in a position of greatest comfort, usually on the back or on the uninjured side, with both knees drawn up for relief of pain and spasm. Loosen any tight clothing, especially at waist and neck. Support the patient with pillows and blankets for comfort, as needed. Give frequent reassurance.

What are 4 potential problems of abdominal injuries?

Muscle guarding, back and flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and even shock are possible with significant trauma to the kidneys. With enough force transferred to the abdominal area, intestinal damage and even bowel perforation can occur.

What are some abdominal injuries?

Sometimes, a penetrating injury involves both the chest and the upper part of the abdomen. For example a downward stab wound to the lower chest may go through the diaphragm into the stomach, spleen, or liver. Blunt or penetrating injuries may cut or rupture abdominal organs and/or blood vessels.

How can you prevent abdominal injuries?

How to prevent future abdominal strainWarm up and stretch before engaging in any physical activity.Do a cooldown after your workout.Take time off each week to rest your muscles.Start slowly and gradually work your way up in terms of intensity and duration any time you begin a new exercise program.

Which of the following is the best way to care for a person with an abdominal injury where their organs are exposed?

Carefully position the person on his or her back with the knees bent, if that position does not cause pain. Do not apply direct pressure. Do not push any protruding organs back into the open wound. Remove clothing from around the wound.

How is an abdominal injury diagnosed?

You may need blood tests and an ultrasound of your abdomen. Based on the results of the blood tests and ultrasound, you may need other tests. An example is a CT scan. The CT scan will show if you have damage to your organs or bleeding in your abdomen.

What is the abdomen?

The abdomen (commonly called the belly) is the body space between the thorax (chest) and pelvis. The diaphragm forms the upper surface of the abdomen. At the level of the pelvic bones, the abdomen ends and the pelvis begins.

Can a fall cause abdominal pain?

Blunt abdominal injuries, such as from a fall or a blow to the stomach, can cause severe bruising of the abdominal wall and bleeding from or rupture of the internal organs. These types of injuries are often caused by falls from a significant height.

What causes abdominal pain?

Less serious causes of abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and a stomach virus. Other, more serious, causes include appendicitis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a bowel blockage, cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux.

What are two of the three classic signs of an acute abdominal injury?

Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, tenderness, rigidity, and bruising of the external abdomen.

What are the effect of abdominal trauma?

Complications of abdominal injuries can be acute (eg, bleeding) or delayed (eg, abscess, obstruction or ileus, delayed hematoma rupture). The abdominal examination does not reliably indicate the severity of abdominal injury.

Why do people go to the emergency room?

Some health care professionals include the diaphragm, pelvis (and genitals) and the retroperitoneal space. Chest and abdominal pain are the two top reasons why people go to emergency rooms, according to the CDC.

What are the symptoms of abdominal pain?

Consequently, the subjective requirements that most doctors consider as serious causes of abdominal pain are any causes that may generate at least one or more of the following signs or symptoms: Penetration (injury) of an object into the abdomen or back. Blunt object injury to the abdomen or back. Dehydration.

What is the pain in the upper abdomen?

This is especially evident with upper abdominal pain that occurs in an organ and/or organ system close to the upper abdomen like the lower part of lungs ( pneumonia) or occasionally heart problems ( angina, heart attack) especially in women).

What causes abdominal pain during pregnancy?

Pregnancy (unknown to the patient but delivering!) Sickle cell anemia. Ulcerative colitis. Uremia. The above lists are examples of many (not all) causes of abdominal pain. The doctor makes use of the location, type, and intensity of pain to try to arrive at a diagnosis.

What causes diffuse abdominal pain?

However, there are causes that result in diffuse abdominal pain: Aortic aneurysm. Bloating.

What is the pain score of a thoracic aortic aneurysm?

For example, if an older patient has acute pain (a few hours) that is relatively constant, located in the left and or center of the lower abdomen with a pain score of 9 out of 10, that is sharp or tearing, the doctor would likely place a thoracic aortic aneurysm high on the list of suspected causes.

What are the three ways the abdomen is divided?

The abdomen can be roughly subdivided several ways; all of these ways (terms) have appeared in the medical literature: Upper abdomen (horizontal line about the level of the umbilicus), lower, Right upper and lower, Left upper and lower , and. Pelvis (right and left).

Why does my abdomen hurt?

Abdominal pain can be due to issues with the GI tract. It is essential to proactively address nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea as clinically appropriate. Patients with abdominal pain may not be taking in the necessary amount of fluids or foods. Their urinary and/or bowel output may also be lacking.

Why is it important to report bowel movement characteristics and frequency accurately?

It is essential to report bowel movement characteristics and frequency accurately. It also ensures accurate intake and output recording. Ensure adequate hydration; may require intravenous fluids. Patients with abdominal pain may have a diminished appetite, be NPO, or not want to drink fluids.

What is a nursing diagnosis?

A nursing diagnosis is a basis for establishing and carrying out a nursing care plan. After performing a proper assessment, formulate a nursing diagnosis based on problems associated with abdominal pain. This will be your clinical judgment about the patient’s health conditions or needs.

Why is accurate I&O important?

Accurate I&O is essential for appropriate clinical decision-making. Prevent infection. Pathogens (gastroenteritis, for example) can be the cause of abdominal pain. It is essential to promote adequate hand hygiene and infection prevention to prevent spreading it to others or prevent the issue from resolving.

Is abdominal pain a medical emergency?

Abdominal pain can be a minor issue that is easy to resolve or a medical emergency. Many different things can cause abdominal pain and their pathophysiology can differ widely. Abdominal pain can is classified as either acute or chronic.

Can you fix abdominal pain with a laxative?

Just in general, for any abdominal pain patient, you have to find what the cause is, because then you can fix that, and then it will fix the pain. This could vary. We could address it with, if it’s constipation causing abdominal pain, then a laxative, if we have electrolyte balances, we’re going to fix that.

Can abdominal pain be referred?

Additionally, abdominal pain can be referred pain, which can complicate the clinical picture even further.

How long does gallbladder pain last?

Although labeled “colic,” gallbladder pain is generally not paroxysmal, and it almost never lasts less than 1 hour, with an average of 5–16 hours’ duration, and ranging up to 24 hours.13Small bowel obstruction typically progresses from an intermittent (“colicky”) pain to more constant pain when distention occurs.

Why do clinicians need to consider multiple diagnoses?

Clinicians must consider multiple diagnoses, especially those life-threatening conditions that require timely intervention to limit morbidity and mortality.

What organs cause pain in the suprapubic region?

Hindgut structures such as the bladder, and distal two-thirds of the colon, as well as pelvic genitourinary organs usually cause pain in the suprapubic region. Pain is usually reported in the back for retroperitoneal structures such as the aorta and kidneys.5,6. Character .

Where does somatic pain come from?

Somatic pain is transmitted via the spinal nerves from the parietal peritoneum or mesodermal structures of the abdominal wall. Noxious stimuli to the parietal peritoneum may be inflammatory or chemical in nature (eg, blood, infected peritoneal fluid, and gastric contents).5,7. Onset .

Is leukocyte count normal?

For example, the total leukocyte count can be normal in the face of serious infection such as appendicitis or cholecystitis.29,51CT is frequently used in evaluation of the patient with abdominal pain.

Where is visceral pain perceived?

Location . Embryology determines where a patient will “feel” visceral pain, which is generally perceived in the midline because afferent impulses from visceral organs are poorly localized. Visceral nociceptors can be stimulated by distention, stretch, vigorous contraction, and ischemia.

Can vomiting cause esophageal rupture?

Vomiting may occur in almost any abdominal disease. Pain generally precedes vomiting in surgical conditions, with the important exception of esophageal rupture from forceful emesis.10,17It is usually present in small bowel obstruction, unless the obstruction is partial or the patient is presenting early in the course.

Why is AAP a problem in the ED?

AAP is a common problem in the ED, requires use of hospital resources and significantly contributes to health care cost [5], and patient evaluation can be challenging, because multiple diagnoses need to be considered in a limited time frame, and available information can be inconclusive.

What is AAP in ED?

Acute abdominal pain (AAP) is a common symptom in the emergency department (ED). Because abdominal pain can be caused by a wide spectrum of underlying pathology, evaluation of abdominal pain in the ED requires a comprehensive approach, based on patient history, physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging studies.

What is right sided abdominal pain?

Introduction: Right-sided upper abdominal pain is a common cause of presentation to general practitioners.# N#Case presentation: An otherwise well 46-year-old woman presented to her general practitioner with intermittent abdominal pain that had been present for several months. The only abnormality found at the initial consultation was moderate tenderness in the right upper abdomen. The laboratory tests that were ordered showed elevated parameters of inflammation. Sonography suggested the presence of an echinococcal cyst in segment VIII of the liver. Computed tomography confirmed this finding and showed no other cysts. On the basis of serological tests and the clinical findings, a diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection was made. The patient was therefore admitted to hospital for surgical removal of the cyst. Her postoperative recovery was without complication and she remained free of symptoms.#N#Conclusion: Echinococcus granulosus infections are rare in Germany, with an incidence of 1:1,000,000. The sonographic appearances are generally characteristic and permit diagnosis. Treatment is pharmacological (albendazole, mebendazole) and surgical. It is curative in the vast majority of cases. The possibility of echinococcal infection should be considered in patients, especially immigrants, with abdominal pain.

Is abdominal pain a common cause of presentation to general practitioners?

Abdominal pain is a common cause of presentation to general practitioners. According to data from Part 2 of the Sächsische Epidemiologische Studie in der Allgemeinmedizin (Saxon epidemiological study in general practice; SESAM-2), abdominal pain accounts for 4.2% of visits to general practitioners. The present case report refers to a cause of abdominal pain which, though relatively rare, must be considered by general practitioners in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain.