Customer question:
What can cause lower abdominal pain? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Various benign and severe conditions can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Here are some possible causes:
Causes of the digestive system:
- Gastroenteritis: inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to a viral or bacterial infection.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a chronic disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements.
- Diverticulitis: inflammation of pouches that can form in the walls of the large intestine.
- Colon cancer: Malignant tumor of the colon.
- Appendicitis: inflammation of the appendix, which usually causes pain in the lower right part of the abdomen.
- Constipation: Difficult or infrequent bowel movements.
Urinary system:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): infection in the bladder, ureters, kidneys, or urethra.
- Kidney stones: Hard deposits that form in the kidneys.
- Bladder diseases, such as interstitial cystitis.
Reproductive system causes (in women):
- Menstrual Cramps: pain associated with menstruation.
- Endometriosis: a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): infection of the female reproductive organs.
- Spontaneous abortion: loss of pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb.
- Ectopic pregnancy: a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
- Ovarian cysts: fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries.
- Uterine fibroids: non-cancerous growths of the uterus.
Muscular and skeletal causes:
- Strained muscles: overload or damage to the abdominal muscles.
- Radicular pain: pain due to a compressed nerve in the spine.
Other causes:
- Inguinal hernia: occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak point in the abdominal muscles.
- Aortic aneurysm: An aorta enlargement that can be life-threatening if it ruptures.
It is essential to consider the type of pain (sharp, dull, cramping, etc.), its duration, associated symptoms (such as fever, bowel changes, vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, etc.), and other factors when determining possible causes. You must seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing severe or prolonged lower abdominal pain, especially if other worrisome symptoms accompany it.
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