Could that sharp abdominal pain be signalling something more serious?

Many people experience abdominal pain for a variety of reasons; sometimes, these pains can get in the way of daily life.

Abdominal pains are usually mild, often subsiding after a moment or hours, but some individuals may experience sharp abdominal pain that could be debilitating if left untreated.

Typical causes of abdominal pain can range from simple indigestion to food intolerances and allergies though severe pain could signal a more serious medical condition the patient is unaware of.

Severe pain in the abdomen is a serious symptom and the cause should be identified before the symptoms worsen.

This article will cover some of the potential causes of sharp abdominal pain.

Where does abdominal pain occur?

The abdomen is not a singular region of the body; it’s divided into several regions, each housing different parts of the gastrointestinal system.

The location of the pain can act as an indicator towards what part of the gastrointestinal system is causing the pain, and the possible illnesses involved.

There are nine regions of the abdomen:

• The right hypochondriac
• The epigastric region
• The left hypochondriac
• The right lumbar region
• The umbilical region
• The left lumbar region
• The right iliac region
• The hypogastric region
• The left iliac region

Abdominal pains may spread over several regions, based on the nature of the underlying condition.

What other symptoms should I look out for?

Severe abdominal pain on its own is very alarming though it may sometimes happen due to mild reasons like excessive gas.

What you need to be mindful of are the symptoms that may accompany the pain. These symptoms, combined with abdominal pain, are warning signs which could signal serious gastrointestinal illnesses.

Common accompanying symptoms to look out for are;

• Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood)
• Frequent vomiting
• High fever
• Rapid weight loss
• Dysphagia (difficulting swallowing)
• Constipation

If the pain persists for a long time and any one or a combination of the above symptoms accompany it, you may need professional help for diagnosis and treatment.

Which illnesses cause sharp abdominal pain?

These are some gastrointestinal conditions known to cause sharp pains:

Cholangitis

This happens when the bile duct becomes inflamed although it’s not fully understood why this happens. Some theories suggest that cholangitis may be an autoimmune disease, meaning it’s caused when the immune system attacks the bile duct.

Cholangitis is usually a mild condition; while its severity varies, 50% of patients will not have any symptoms. The condition may be either acute or chronic and sharp pain in the middle of the stomach is usually a symptom of acute cholangitis.

The pain occurs when the tissues of the inflamed bile ducts start to harden and narrow, disturbing bile flow and sending it back into the liver.

Mesenteric ischemia

This serious condition results when a blood clot blocks the mesenteric artery, cutting off blood flow to a section of the small intestine. Deprived of blood, the affected area of the intestine starts to weaken and will eventually die.

A common symptom of this disease is a sharp pain in the abdomen half an hour after eating. This pain may last for hours and may gradually worsen. An acute condition results in sudden pain followed by other symptoms like vomiting and the urge to empty your bowels.

The pain usually starts at the upper region of the abdomen and spreads.

Bowel obstruction

A blockage in the intestines is a bowel obstruction; they may be either small or large, with the latter being a serious medical emergency.

This blockage could happen due to many reasons, including defects at birth. The most common causes include foreign objects getting stuck in the intestines, hard stools and even tumours.

The pain from a bowel obstruction could be sharp or mild, depending on the nature and location of the blockage.

If the patient suffers a large blockage, they may need immediate surgery.

Sharp abdominal pains — a symptom not to be ignored

While these pains can be alarming, they do not always mean you have a serious illness; it’s always a good practice to be aware of accompanying symptoms and how long the pain persists.

If you feel your symptoms are trying to tell you something, consult a gastrointestinal specialist.