Human Abdominal Pain

The abdomen is the area of the body found below the bottom section of the ribs and the pelvis. Organs of the digestive and excretory system are found here and pain in this area can have a number of different implications.

Types

• Pain in the abdomen can be categorized into four types: generalized pain, covering a large portion of the abdomen; pain that exists in one specific spot in the abdomen; cramp-like pain or ache; and a shooting pain that comes and goes.

Symptoms

• Generalized pain is often characterized by gas or irregularity. Persistent pain specific to one spot is usually moderate, becoming more severe. Cramp-like pain generally comes with bloating, gas and diarrhea. Shooting pain starts suddenly and is severe but recedes and returns.

Right Side

• Pain in the right side of the abdomen can be indicative of appendicitis, the right ovary or kidney, kidney infection, kidney stones, gallstones or gall bladder cancer.

Left Side

• Pains in the left side could indicate many of the same disorders related to the right side, as pain is often generalized and organs occupy both sides of the abdomen. Left side pain could also signal diverticulitis, pancreatitis or a hiatal hernia.

Central

• Pain in the central abdominal area often points to an aortic aneurism, an intestinal obstruction or uremia.