Lower Abdominal Pain Causes Include Appendix Abdominal Pain

Lower abdominal pain is common in IBS. The pain is often described as stomach ache, a spasm or ‘discomfort’, which can be associated with bloating and trapped wind . It is usually worse in the morning, but can occur at any time of the day, although night time or nocturnal symptoms are unusual. The pain can be so severe that it can be mistaken for acute abdominal pain of other cause such as appendix pain.

It is important to understand the cause for your pain in view of this.

The pain is usually accompanied by a change in bowel habit with either diarrhea, constipation or a combination of the two.

There is normally a history of recurring symptoms and this needs to be considered in the context of the Rome criteria for IBS diagnosis .

Other causes of pain should be considered as the diagnosis isn't always clear. It is important to seek guidance from your doctor about this. I will highlight some of the other causes of lower abdominal pain or stomach ache here to give you an idea of the broad spectrum of other causes:

Bowel

Acute inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis)

Appendicitis - Apendix abdominal pain can start in the left side of the abdomen or midline, localising to the right lower abdomen as symptoms progress. The lower abdominal pain maybe associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting and fever, but it can be very difficult determine for certain that it is appendix pain. It's important to seek early help from a medical practitioner if you display any of these appendix abdominal pain symptoms.

Cholecystitis (Inflammed gallbladder)- pain in the right upper abdomen radiating through to the back and sometimes the shoulder. Often associated with nausea, vomiting, sometimes change in bowel habit and fever.

Pancreatitis (Inflammed Pancreas) a potentially serious cause of abdominal pain (usually upper), fever, nausea and vomiting. Early advice from a medical practitioner is again important here as you need to be examined and treated appropriately.

Ischaemic Colitis (Usually in the elderly)- often associated with diarrhea which can be bloody, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. A potentially life threatening condition requiring early medical intervention.

Tumours – Bowel cancer, rare tumours such as carcinoid.

Urinary Tract

Kidney or renal stones

Hydronephrosis (Dilated ureter or urine tube due to various causes)

Tumours

Gynaecological

Mittelschmertz syndrome (Mid-cycle bleeding into the fallopian tube)

Fibroids

Ectopic pregnancy

Endometritis (Inflammed womb lining)

Endometriosis

Vascular

Acute bowel ischaemia (lack of blood flow to the bowel usually due to blood clot)

Portal/Hepatic vein thrombosis

Retroperitoneal bleeding of various cause

Bone/Nerve

Neuropathic pain

Radiation of Hip pain

The above list of causes of stomach ache are not there to frighten, but to highlight that there are other causes for lower abdominal pain and these should always be considered. Further investigations maybe required depending on your doctors impression and your concerns too. However, IBS symptoms are usually quite apparent and may need little investigation. Your doctor will be able to advise you in this matter.

There are various treatments available for IBS and the symptoms of lower abdominal pain. These may include antispasm drugs such as Mebeverine , Mintec or Colpermin , analgesics and the tricyclic antidepressant drug, Amitriptyline . You can read more about this in the treatment section of the web site or go to the IBS forum to creat a discussion on the subject. You might like explore the IBS store too so you can purchase treatments to help in the management of your stomach ache or lower abdominal pain too.

If you need more help you can discuss this for free with the Online Doctor Service



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