What are the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain?
Selected Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain
| Pain location | Possible diagnoses |
|---|---|
| Left lower quadrant | Colonic: colitis, diverticulitis, IBD, IBS |
| Gynecologic: ectopic pregnancy, fibroids, ovarian mass, torsion, PID | |
| Renal: nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis | |
| Any location | Abdominal wall: herpes zoster, muscle strain, hernia |
How can you tell the difference between acute and chronic abdominal pain?
Acute abdominal pain that is mild and lasts only a few hours is not usually something to worry about. However, pain that lasts a few weeks or months may be considered chronic. Additionally, this pain is usually the result of a gastrointestinal or genitourinary disorder, or cancer.
How do you measure right lower quadrant pain?
Computed tomography (CT) is recommended for evaluating right or left lower quadrant pain. Conventional radiography has limited diagnostic value in the assessment of most patients with abdominal pain. The widespread use of CT raises concerns about patient exposure to ionizing radiation.
What is an example of a differential diagnosis?
For example, many infections cause fever, headaches, and fatigue. Many mental health disorders cause sadness, anxiety, and sleep problems. A differential diagnosis looks at the possible disorders that could be causing your symptoms.
What is the differential diagnosis of appendicitis?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or tubo-ovarian abscess. Endometriosis. Ovarian cyst or torsion. Ureterolithiasis and renal colic.
What conditions cause abdominal pain?
Conditions that may cause chronic abdominal pain include:
- Angina (reduced blood flow to the heart)
- Celiac disease.
- Endometriosis.
- Functional dyspepsia.
- Gallstones.
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hiatal hernia.
Can CT scan detect abdominal pain?
Viewing a CT scan, an experienced radiologist can diagnose many causes of abdominal pain or injury from trauma with very high accuracy. This allows for faster treatment and often eliminates the need for additional, more invasive diagnostic procedures.
What is your differential diagnosis?
A differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions or diseases that could be causing your symptoms. It’s based off of the facts obtained from your symptoms, medical history, basic laboratory results, and a physical examination.
What causes pain on left side of abdomen?
The left side is where the pain is common in women and the elderly. For the cause, lower left abdominal pain is often caused by diverticulitis , irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the left kidney stones, urinary tract infections left, ulcerative colitis , left ectopic pregnancy, left ovarian disease, and infection of the left fallopian tube.
What causes acute abdomen?
There are numerous possible causes of acute abdomen. These include: Viral gastroenteritis: stomach flu. Intestinal obstruction. Hernia. Appendicitis: inflammation of the appendix.
What are the features of abdominal pain in appendicitis?
Appendicitis usually involves a gradual onset of dull, cramping, or aching pain throughout the abdomen. As the appendix becomes more swollen and inflamed, it will irritate the lining of the abdominal wall, known as the peritoneum. This causes localized, sharp pain in the right lower part of the abdomen.
Is lower abdominal pain in men a cause for worry?
Lower left abdominal pain in men is generally considered as a mild or moderate pain and is generally not a reason to worry , it takes a day or two and it clears up. In some cases when the pain is due to some traumatic injury or accident, you need to contact your health care provider.