Abdominal pain can be caused by many things. It is important to tell your doctor:

• The location of the pain.

• Does it come and go or is it present all the time

• Are there things that start the pain (eating certain foods,exercise)?

• Are there other symptoms associated with the pain (fever,nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)?

CAUSES

• Stomach: virus or bacteria infection, or ulcer.

• Intestine: some of the causes are appendicitis (inflamed appendix), regional ileitis (Crohn's disease), ulcerative colitis , irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis

• Gallbladder disease or stones in the gallbladder.

• Kidney disease, kidney stones, or infection.

• Pancreas inflammation, infection or cancer.

• Fibromyalgia (pain disorder).

• Diseases of the female organs:

○ Uterus: fibroid (non-cancerous) tumors or infection.

○Fallopian tubes: infection or tubal           pregnancy.

○ Pelvic adhesions (scar tissue).

○ Endometriosis (uterus lining tissue growing in the pelvis and on the pelvic organs).

○ Pelvic congestion syndrome (female organs filling up with blood just before the menstrual period).

○ Pain with the menstrual period.

○ Pain with ovulation (producing an egg).

○ Pain with an IUD (intrauterine device, birth control) in the uterus.

○ Cancer of the female organs.

• Functional pain (pain not caused by a disease, may improve without treatment).

• Psychological pain.

• Depression.

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will decide the seriousness of your pain by doing a examination.

• Blood tests.

• X-rays.

• Ultrasound.

• CT scan

• MRI

• Cultures, for infection.

• Colonoscopy (looking in large intestine with a lighted tube).

TREATMENT

The treatment will depend on the cause of the pain.

• Many cases can be observed and treated at home.

• Over-the-counter medicines recommended by your care giver.

• Prescription medicine.

• Antibiotics, for infection.

• Birth control pills, for painful periods or for ovulation pain.

• Hormone treatment, for endometriosis.

• Nerve blocking injections.

• Physical therapy, Antidepressants.

• Counseling with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

• Minor or major surgery.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

• Do not take laxatives, unless directed by your caregiver.

• Take over-the-counter pain medicine only if ordered by your caregiver. Do not take aspirin because it can cause an upset stomach or bleeding.