Table: History in People With Acute Abdominal Pain

History in People With Acute Abdominal Pain

Questions That Doctors Ask	Possible Responses	Possible Causes or Source
Where is the pain?	See Causes of Abdominal Pain by Location Causes of Abdominal Pain by Location	See Causes of Abdominal Pain by Location Causes of Abdominal Pain by Location
What is the pain like?	Waves of sharp pain that “take the breath away”	Renal or biliary colic (episodes of intense pain in the kidneys or gallbladder)
	Waves of dull pain with vomiting	Intestinal obstruction Intestinal Obstruction An obstruction of the intestine is a blockage that completely stops or seriously impairs the passage of food, fluid, digestive secretions, and gas through the intestines. The most common causes... read more
	Colicky pain that becomes steady	Appendicitis Appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation and infection of the appendix. Often a blockage inside the appendix causes the appendix to become inflamed and infected. Abdominal pain, nausea, and fever are common... read more Strangulating intestinal obstruction (blockage that cuts off the blood supply to the intestines) Mesenteric ischemia Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Acute mesenteric ischemia is sudden blockage of blood flow to part of the intestines, which may lead to gangrene and perforation (puncture). Severe abdominal pain develops suddenly. The diagnosis... read more (blockage of blood flow to part of the intestines due to a blood clot or buildup of fatty materials in an artery)
	Sharp, constant pain, worsened by movement	Peritonitis Peritonitis Abdominal pain is common and often minor. Severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly, however, almost always indicates a significant problem. The pain may be the only sign of the need for surgery... read more
	Tearing pain	Aortic dissection Aortic Dissection An aortic dissection is an often fatal disorder in which the inner layer (lining) of the aortic wall tears and separates from the middle layer of the aortic wall. Most aortic dissections occur... read more (a tear in the inner layer of the aorta)
	Dull ache	Appendicitis Appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation and infection of the appendix. Often a blockage inside the appendix causes the appendix to become inflamed and infected. Abdominal pain, nausea, and fever are common... read more Diverticulitis Diverticulitis Diverticulitis is inflammation of one or more balloon-like sacs (diverticula). Infection may or may not develop. Diverticulitis usually affects the large intestine (colon). Left lower abdominal... read more Kidney infection
Have you had it before?	Yes	Recurring problems such as ulcer disease, gallstones Gallstones Gallstones are collections of solid material (predominantly crystals of cholesterol) in the gallbladder. The liver can secrete too much cholesterol, which is carried with bile to the gallbladder... read more , diverticulitis, or mittelschmerz (pain during ovulation, usually the middle of the menstrual cycle)
Did the pain begin suddenly?	Sudden ("like a light switching on”)	Perforated ulcer Perforation of the Digestive Tract Any of the hollow digestive organs may become perforated (punctured), which causes a release of intestinal contents and can lead to sepsis (a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream) and... read more Kidney stone Stones in the Urinary Tract Stones (calculi) are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, or an infection or block of the flow of urine. Tiny stones may cause no symptoms, but larger stones... read more Ruptured ectopic (abnormally located) pregnancy Ectopic Pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy is attachment (implantation) of a fertilized egg in an abnormal location, such as the fallopian tubes. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus cannot survive. When an ectopic pregnancy... read more Twisting of ovary Adnexal Torsion Adnexal torsion is twisting of the ovary and sometimes the fallopian tube, interrupting or cutting off the blood supply of these organs. Twisting causes sudden, severe pain and often nausea... read more or testicular torsion Testicular Torsion Testicular torsion is the twisting of a testis on its spermatic cord so that the blood supply to the testis is blocked. Testicular torsion causes sudden, severe pain and later swelling of the... read more Some ruptured aneurysms
Did the pain begin suddenly?	Less sudden	Most other causes
How severe is the pain?	Severe pain	A tear (perforation) in an organ Kidney stone Stones in the Urinary Tract Stones (calculi) are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, or an infection or block of the flow of urine. Tiny stones may cause no symptoms, but larger stones... read more Peritonitis Peritonitis Abdominal pain is common and often minor. Severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly, however, almost always indicates a significant problem. The pain may be the only sign of the need for surgery... read more Pancreatitis Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas that may be mild or life threatening but usually subsides. Gallstones and alcohol abuse are the main causes of acute pancreatitis. Severe... read more
How severe is the pain?	Severe pain but a comparatively normal physical examination	Mesenteric ischemia Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Acute mesenteric ischemia is sudden blockage of blood flow to part of the intestines, which may lead to gangrene and perforation (puncture). Severe abdominal pain develops suddenly. The diagnosis... read more
Does the pain travel to any other part of your body?	Right shoulder blade	Gallbladder pain
	Left shoulder region	Ruptured spleen Spleen Injury Because of the spleen’s position in the upper left side of the abdomen, a severe blow to the stomach area can damage the spleen, tearing its covering, the tissue inside, or both. An injured... read more Pancreatitis Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas that may be mild or life threatening but usually subsides. Gallstones and alcohol abuse are the main causes of acute pancreatitis. Severe... read more
	Pubic bone or vagina	Kidney pain
	Back	Ruptured aortic aneurysm Overview of Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection The aorta, which is about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, is the largest artery of the body. It receives oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle of the heart and distributes it to all... read more Pancreatitis Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas that may be mild or life threatening but usually subsides. Gallstones and alcohol abuse are the main causes of acute pancreatitis. Severe... read more Sometimes perforated ulcer
What relieves the pain?	Antacids	Peptic ulcer disease Peptic Ulcer Disease A peptic ulcer is a round or oval sore where the lining of the stomach or duodenum has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. Peptic ulcers can result from infection with Helicobacter... read more Gastritis
What relieves the pain?	Lying as quietly as possible	Peritonitis Peritonitis Abdominal pain is common and often minor. Severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly, however, almost always indicates a significant problem. The pain may be the only sign of the need for surgery... read more
What other symptoms occur with the pain?	Vomiting that precedes the pain and is followed by diarrhea	Gastroenteritis Overview of Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small and large intestines. It is usually caused by infection with a microorganism but can also be caused by ingestion of chemical... read more
	Delayed vomiting, no bowel movements, and no passing of gas (flatulence)	Sudden (acute) intestinal obstruction Intestinal Obstruction An obstruction of the intestine is a blockage that completely stops or seriously impairs the passage of food, fluid, digestive secretions, and gas through the intestines. The most common causes... read more
	Severe vomiting that precedes intense pain in the upper middle of the abdomen, left chest, or shoulder	Perforation of the esophagus Esophageal Ruptures Esophageal ruptures are tears that penetrate the wall of the esophagus. Ruptures can be caused by surgical procedures, severe vomiting, or swallowing a large piece of food that becomes stuck... read more