Our stomach plays a key role in the digestion of protein. It has acids that mix with the food we eat before the mixture enters our small intestines. Stomach problems affect our digestion and can be uncomfortable. Abdominal pain, heartburn, unexplained weight loss, indigestion indicated by vomiting and diarrhea, and blood in stools are symptoms of stomach problems.
This week, we published several articles on abdominal health, starting with the identification of different abdominal sounds so that you can identify which is a cause of concern. We also published articles related to painful abdominal conditions such as abdominal swelling, pulled abdominal muscle, lower abdominal pain in men, and lower abdominal pain in women. These articles not only explained the reason behind each problem, but also outlined the symptoms and treatments for them. Below you’ll find links to all of them!
Abdominal bowel sounds: Types, causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention
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It can be loud or quiet, it may sound like a gurgle or even a deflating balloon… and what are we talking about? Bowel and abdominal sounds, of course.
Unlike flatulence, which is the sound made when gas leaves your body, bowel sounds typically occur in the small or large intestine during digestion. Bowel sounds are virtually harmless and signify the breakdown of food, although sometimes, if they are too loud, they can be embarrassing.
Types of bowel sounds
Normal bowel sounds: These bowel sounds simply indicate that your digestive system is working properly.
Hyperactive bowel sounds: Sounds that can be heard without a stethoscope and signify an increase in gastrointestinal activity.
Absent bowel sounds: If you don’t hear any sounds during a bout of abdominal pain, this could be a sign of a serious problem and should be brought to the attention of a doctor. Normally, after surgery, there won’t be any noticeable sounds, but they resume once the digestive system begins to run normally again. Continue reading…
What causes abdominal swelling (abdominal distension)? Diagnosis and treatment
Abdominal swelling or distention is a term used for a number of conditions that cause the abdominal cavity to look bloated or enlarged. The majority of cases involve the stomach or the digestive tract, as they are the most prominent organs in the abdominal cavity. However, medical conditions involving other abdominal structures may also lead the abdomen to look swollen. It is important to note that abdominal distention is not a medical condition on its own, but is simply a sign of an underlying condition.
There are a number of different medical conditions that present as swelling in the abdomen, some benign and others due to a serious medical condition. The following are some abdominal swelling causes:
Causes of abdominal distension
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
This condition causes sporadic cramping of the muscles in the small and long intestine, resulting in pain and an urgent need to use the bathroom. Constipation, diarrhea, and mucus-like stools are all associated with this condition, with pain being a common fixture among all of them. IBS is considered a chronic condition that can be remedied by proper diet and care. Continue reading…
What is a pulled abdominal muscle? Causes, symptoms, and treatment
Having a pulled abdominal muscle can be a minor inconvenience or a major discomfort depending on the severity and cause. In most cases, the after effects of a pulled abdominal muscle can be addressed with home remedies; however, there are some cases where medical intervention is required.
When your body is weak or your abdomen is injured, you can experience a pulled abdominal muscle. It will either be a mild or severe tear or pain. When the problem recurs, it could be a sign of muscle fiber strain or a severe tear.
Abdominal muscles are what we call core muscles. They are situated on the front side of the body, between the pelvis and the ribs. They provide support to our trunk, hold organs in place, and play an important role in bodily movement.
Thankfully, pulled abdominal muscles can be easily diagnosed from symptoms and usually don’t require special tests. Continue reading…
Lower abdominal pain in men: Causes and treatment tips
Lower abdominal pain is experienced by both sexes, but the causes can vary. The abdominal pain in men may be due to chronic diseases, urinary tract infections, or even digestive tract conditions. Research estimates that the majority of men who experience abdominal pain never seek treatment, as they are more likely to use over-the-counter or herbal remedies to alleviate pain, rather than finding a doctor to discover the underlying cause of their pain.
Abnormalities in the abdomen may cause any number of different symptoms, including the type of pain. One may not give that much attention to the general feeling of pain over the abdomen, but specific types of pain, such as sharp, localized, or radiating pain, may signify severe complication and should be assessed by a medical professional.
Is lower abdominal pain in men a cause for worry?
Generally, any type of abdominal pain is a cause for concern, but it is important to be able to identify a serious issue versus a less serious one. It is useful to make note of the severity of abdominal pain as well as any specifics of your experience to tell a physician if need be. Is your pain sudden and severe? Or mild and prolonged? Intermittent? These are all questions that should be answered to help gauge the type of pain you have.Continue reading…
Lower abdominal pain in women: Causes and treatments
A lot of people experience tummy pain at some point in their lives, but lower abdominal pain in women is rather common. The reasons for this pain vary from person to person, so treatment should not follow a one size fits all approach.
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The abdomen is the area containing your digestive organs and is bound by the pelvic bone and diaphragm. Abdominal pain, including lower abdominal pain, is usually a term used to describe the pain that comes from organs within the abdominal cavity. Those organs include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas. In women, the lowest portion of the abdomen is actually the pelvis and involves the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if the pain is in the abdomen or the pelvis area. Lower abdominal pain can be frightening for a woman since there is a tendency for them to think that it could jeopardize their reproductive process, but that is not always the case. The most common reason for lower abdominal pain in women is menstruation. Continue reading…
We all hear sounds from our stomach. Most often, abdominal sounds are good signs that indicate our digestive system is healthy and functioning. However, an increased number of sounds or the absence of sounds can signal a problem. If the sound is not normal, it is a good idea to see a doctor.
Sometimes, abdominal discomfort need not be related to digestion, although the symptoms may be similar. Abdominal swelling and abdominal pain in men and women, for example, can have several causes including ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids in women and testicular torsion in men. They could also result from diseases and kidney stones. A pulled abdominal muscle, on the other hand, is caused due to muscular injury and must be treated differently. While many simple home remedies can help provide comfort, it is best to get a diagnosis so that treatment can be prescribed according to the cause of the problem.
