Abdominal painis a common medical problem.
Its severity ranges from annoying to life-threatening.
While abdominal pain is common, each case is unique.
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Your symptoms and health history will determine what tests you gotta find out what’s causing your pain.
This article explains some of the most common tests used to find the source of abdominal pain.
It also explains when to seek medical care.
Acute vs.
Chronic Abdominal Pain
An acute illness is one that starts suddenly.
The pain is often severe right from the start.
One example: appendicitis.
An infection in the appendix makes it swell and become more and more painful.
An acute illness may come one quickly, but it can go on for weeks or even months.
A chronic illness is one that lasts six months or longer.
A woman of childbearing age who is sexually active and not using birth control could have a pregnancy complication.
Some of the questions may seem personal.
Do your best to answer them clearly, because your answers may influence which tests you have.
The exam could also include collecting cells with a swab or small brush.
They are checking rectal tone, which is the strength of the muscle that closes the anus.
They will also look for obvious blood or growths in the rectum.
In some cases, a healthcare provider may take a small stool sample is often during the rectal exam.
The sample can be analyzed in an occult stool test.
This exam can also be used to find out if you have constipation.
If so, the stool will feel small or hard.
Lab Tests
One way to diagnose a health problem is to analyze substances in your body.
Depending on the results, you may need further tests.
When you have an infection, your body increases certain types of blood cells.
Liver Enzymes/Hepatic Function Test
Aliver enzymetest shows whether the liver is working as it should.
Other liver tests indicate whether the liver is removing enough harmful toxins from the body.
The liver can be damaged in many ways.
Higher levels may be a sign of an infection or inflammation in the pancreas calledpancreatitis.
This condition is extremely painful and can lead to hospitalization.
Occult Stool/Hemoccult Test
This test checks for blood in the stool, which isn’t considered normal.
you’ve got the option to’t always see blood in the stool with the naked eye.
A positive pregnancy test can explain many symptoms.
For example, pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
Recap
Lab tests give healthcare professionals an idea of how the body is functioning.
Imaging Studies
Imaging tests are studies that produce a “picture” of part of your body.
These tests can be helpful in finding the cause of abdominal pain.
This scan uses many x-ray key in images to create a picture of the inside of the body.
A radiologist can “read” the picture.
Sometimes these scans involve the use of special dyes called contrasts.
They can highlight the details of the images.
But contrasts aren’t safe for everyone.
People with kidney conditions may not do well with contrasts.
Like the CT scan, it allows images of the body to be made without touching the body directly.
An MRI isn’t safe for people with certain types of metal in their body.
The test uses strong magnets that can harm patients with some implants.
Contrast may be used to enhance the images if the kidneys are healthy.
A healthcare provider inserts a lightedendoscopewith a camera into the mouth.
This test checks for signs of acid reflux or stomach ulcers.
You’ll have anesthesia and will be sedated throughout the exam.
Images appear on a monitor.
During this test, a trained physician checks the large intestine for sources of pain or bleeding.
They may also take tissue samples and perform other minor procedures.
This test requires anesthesia so that you’re able to sleep through it.
Ultrasound
Most people are familiar with how ultrasounds are used in pregnancy.
They show images of the fetus and can be used to find out its sex.
The test can also be used to find the source of abdominal pain.
The test uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the human body.
The sound waves are too high for the human ear to hear.
An ultrasound can oftendetect problems with the gallbladderand kidneys.
They can highlight places where blockages, growths, ulcers, or other problems are located.
The process will likely start with a medical history and physical exam.
After that, you may need lab tests of your blood, urine, feces, and enzymes.
Imaging tests can also help doctors spot abnormalities in your abdomen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will start with a physical exam.
Doctors often diagnose viral gastroenteritis based on symptoms.
CT scans cannot always find the cause of pain.
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2017;50(18):1275-1280. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2017.07.003
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic Pregnancy.
National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of appendicitis.
National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis.
Mendelson R.Diagnostic tests: Imaging for chronic abdominal pain in adults.Aust Prescr.
2015;38(2):49-54. doi:10.18773%2Faustprescr.2015.019
A Practical Guide to Clinical Medicine.
Exam of the Abdomen.
University of California San Diego.
Mendelson R.Imaging for chronic abdominal pain in adults.Aust Prescr.
2015;38(2):49-54. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.019
