Abdominal pain

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Abdominal organs	Abdominal quadrants	Anatomical landmarks, front view	Appendicitis
Digestive system	Kidney function

Your doctor may ask the following questions about your abdominal pain:

• Is the pain all over (diffuse or generalized) or in a specific location?
• What part of the abdomen is affected? Lower or upper? Right, left or middle? Around the navel?
• Is the pain severe, sharp or cramping, persistent or constant, periodic and changing intensity over minutes?
• Does the pain awaken you at night?
• Have you had similar pain in past? How long has each episode lasted?
• How often do you have the pain?
• Does it occur within minutes following meals? Within 2 to 3 hours after meals?
• Is it getting increasingly more severe?
• Does it occur during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)?
• Does the pain go into your back, middle of the back, below the right shoulder blade, or your groin, buttocks, or legs?
• Does the pain get worse after lying on the back?
• Does the pain get worse after eating or drinking? After greasy foods, milk products, or alcohol?
• Does the pain get worse after stress? After straining efforts?
• Does the pain get better after eating or a bowel movement?
• Does the pain get better after milk or antacids?
• What medications are you taking?
• Have you had a recent injury?
• Are you pregnant?
• What other symptoms are occurring at the same time?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Barium enema
• Upper GI and small bowel series
• Blood, urine, and stool tests
• Endoscopy of upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract ( EGD )
• Ultrasound of the abdomen
• X-rays of the abdomen

Review Date: 01/09/2007
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.