Gastrointestinal system symptoms are associated with a wide range of conditions. Such may include infective processes, inflammatory conditions, cancers and ulcers among others. Abdominal pain is something that most in the city of Greenbelt, MD, have had to deal with at one time or the other. More often than not, the cause of the problem is related to the underlying structures. In this article we look at the different types of pain that exist and how to deal with them.
The first thing that one needs to do as they attempt to identify the origin is to establish where it is most intense. The source is likely to be the anatomic structures that are located beneath this area. For instance, if it is the epigastric region, the organs most likely to be affected are the stomach or the liver which means the most probable diagnoses are gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or hepatitis. If it is most severe around the belly button, on the other hand, the intestines are likely to be involved.
The character and pattern of the symptom can both be used in identifying the pain. For example, dull and diffuse pain is likely due to a condition affecting a solid internal organ. In contrast, if the symptom is localized and constricting in nature it is probably coming from a hollow or tubular structure such a ureter or the intestines. Another way of utilizing patterns is to study the associated symptoms. The presence of associated diarrhea, for example, suggests an infection.
There are a number of investigations that become useful when investigating the cause of this complaint. In the event that an infective process is suspected, a septic screen is usually done. Among the components of this screening is a full blood count. The objective here is to determine whether there is an increase in the number of white blood cells and if so which particular subtypes are affected. Other components include a blood culture, urine analysis and cerebrospinal fluid culture.
Radiological images go a long way into localizing the source. Plain radiographs are useful in assessing the distribution of fluids within the abdomen. For instance, in the event of intestinal obstruction, gaseous distension of intestines can be easily seen. Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI are mainly used when one needs to asses internal solid organs such as the liver, the spleen, the pancreas and the kidneys among others.
The treatment varies depending on the underlying condition. A majority of cases can be managed expectantly or may resolve with the administration of over the counter analgesic agents. Antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents are usually administered when an infection is present. If the cause of symptoms is an ulcer then the most appropriate medication will be an antacid or mucosal protective agent. Metastatic tumors such lymphomas may benefit from chemotherapeutic drugs.
Surgery may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the cause of the problem. A significant proportion of the conditions may not be diagnosed until when the abdominal cavity is opened. This is because opening up the cavity allows direct visualization of the area. It also makes it possible to intervene simultaneously when the problem is identified. Examples of conditions diagnosed during laparotomy include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancies and tumors.
Pain in the abdomen is a very common complaint. While many of the cases resolve spontaneously, there are others that are more serious and require further investigation and more aggressive interventional measures. Inflammatory conditions, infections, drugs, trauma and tumors are all possible causes.
The first thing that one needs to do as they attempt to identify the origin is to establish where it is most intense. The source is likely to be the anatomic structures that are located beneath this area. For instance, if it is the epigastric region, the organs most likely to be affected are the stomach or the liver which means the most probable diagnoses are gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or hepatitis. If it is most severe around the belly button, on the other hand, the intestines are likely to be involved.
The character and pattern of the symptom can both be used in identifying the pain. For example, dull and diffuse pain is likely due to a condition affecting a solid internal organ. In contrast, if the symptom is localized and constricting in nature it is probably coming from a hollow or tubular structure such a ureter or the intestines. Another way of utilizing patterns is to study the associated symptoms. The presence of associated diarrhea, for example, suggests an infection.
There are a number of investigations that become useful when investigating the cause of this complaint. In the event that an infective process is suspected, a septic screen is usually done. Among the components of this screening is a full blood count. The objective here is to determine whether there is an increase in the number of white blood cells and if so which particular subtypes are affected. Other components include a blood culture, urine analysis and cerebrospinal fluid culture.
Radiological images go a long way into localizing the source. Plain radiographs are useful in assessing the distribution of fluids within the abdomen. For instance, in the event of intestinal obstruction, gaseous distension of intestines can be easily seen. Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI are mainly used when one needs to asses internal solid organs such as the liver, the spleen, the pancreas and the kidneys among others.
The treatment varies depending on the underlying condition. A majority of cases can be managed expectantly or may resolve with the administration of over the counter analgesic agents. Antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents are usually administered when an infection is present. If the cause of symptoms is an ulcer then the most appropriate medication will be an antacid or mucosal protective agent. Metastatic tumors such lymphomas may benefit from chemotherapeutic drugs.
Surgery may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the cause of the problem. A significant proportion of the conditions may not be diagnosed until when the abdominal cavity is opened. This is because opening up the cavity allows direct visualization of the area. It also makes it possible to intervene simultaneously when the problem is identified. Examples of conditions diagnosed during laparotomy include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancies and tumors.
Pain in the abdomen is a very common complaint. While many of the cases resolve spontaneously, there are others that are more serious and require further investigation and more aggressive interventional measures. Inflammatory conditions, infections, drugs, trauma and tumors are all possible causes.
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