Abdominal pain is a common problem that all people experience frequently. Often dismissed as "just abdominal pain, it will pass," these pains can be a harbinger of a serious illness and may require surgical intervention.
Causes of Sudden Onset Abdominal Pain
Sudden onset abdominal pain can often be a symptom of a serious illness. Pains felt in the upper right abdomen may originate from the liver and gallbladder. Abdominal pain felt around the navel and above can be a sign of stomach and duodenal ulcers. Pains appearing in the upper left abdomen may indicate a disorder related to the pancreas and gallbladder. In women, pains occurring in the groin area can generally be a sign of ovarian and urinary tract problems. Pains in the lower right abdomen can be considered a symptom of appendicitis.
If the pain has a sudden onset, is severe, recurrent, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, if there is an inability to pass gas or stool along with the pain, if there is abdominal bloating, and if all these are accompanied by fever, a doctor must be consulted.
