Abdominal pain can be felt anywhere between the chest and the pelvic area and can be severe, dull, achy, or cramp-like. It can be caused by simple things like indigestion or gas, or it can be caused by serious illnesses like diverticulitis.
Anatomists and experts have effectively studied, diagnosed, and treated abdominal pain by dividing the human belly into quadrants.
These four areas of the abdomen are examined to rule out numerous illnesses that could impact the organs and produce significant abdominal pain.
The Abdominal Quadrants and Their Significance
Upper Right Quadrant
From the umbilical plane to the right rib cage, this region of the abdomen is on the right side of the patient’s abdomen. The gallbladder, liver, duodenum, upper section of the pancreas, right kidney, adrenal gland, and the colon’s hepatic fixture are all located in the right upper quadrant.
The following conditions can cause pain in the right upper quadrant:
- Hepatitis
- Peptic ulcer
- Cholecystitis
- Kidney problems
- Liver conditions
- Pre-eclampsia
- Gallbladder problems
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Pancreatic conditions
Lower Right Quadrant
This quadrant stretches from the umbilical plane to the right inguinal ligament, from the median plane to the right side of the abdomen. The caecum, appendix, right Ureter, right ovary, fallopian tube, and ascending colon are all vital structures found in the right lower quadrant.
When diagnosis, this area of the abdomen is examined:
- Appendicitis
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Hernia
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Lower Left Quadrant
This is the area below the umbilicus, to the left of the midline. The left ureter, descending colon, sigmoid colon, left ovary, and fallopian tube are all vital organs in this area.
The following conditions can produce pain in this quadrant:
- Colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Ureteral colic
- Difficile colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Hernia
- Kidney stones
- Shingles
- Menstrual cramps
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cyst
- Ovarian torsion
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Testicular torsion
Upper Left Quadrant
From the umbilical plane to the left rib cage, the left upper quadrant is located on the left side of the abdomen. The spleen, stomach, body of the pancreas, left kidney, adrenal gland, splenic flexure of the colon, sections of the transverse, and descending colon are all covered in this region.
The following are some of the conditions that might cause pain in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen and necessitate a trip to the emergency room:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Costochondritis
- Pancreatitis
- Broken or bruised ribs
- Pericarditis
- Kidney stones and infection
- Enlarged spleen
- Gastritis
When Should You Visit an Emergency Room If You Have Abdominal Pain?
When your stomach discomfort is caused by an accident or injury, you should go to an emergency room or have someone take you to an emergency room as soon as possible.
When abdominal pain is accompanied by some symptoms listed below, going to the emergency department could save your life. They are as follows:
- Fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Bloody feces
- Stool in a dark or black color
- Fainting is caused by lightheadedness.
- Tenderness in the place that causes discomfort
- Inflammation of the afflicted area
- Skin that appears to be yellow
- Consistent nausea and bloody vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat is a condition in which the heartbeat is irregular.
- Weight reduction that can’t be explained
- Having trouble breathing
- Urinating or passing feces causes pain.
- Vomiting and an inability to have a bowel movement
Abdominal discomfort that is accompanied by some pre-existing medical disorders should be treated right away at a Houston emergency clinic or an ER near you. The following are a few of these conditions:
- Abdominal pain or chest tightness in those over 45 years old
- Pregnancy
- Post Gastric Bypass surgery, colostomy or bowel resection
- Endoscopy or recent abdominal surgery
ER Abdominal Pain Diagnosis
When you go to the emergency department with stomach pain, the doctors will run certain tests to figure out what’s wrong. The most frequent tests are:
- Abdominal X-ray
- Abdominal CT scan
- Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography
- Abdominal Ultrasound
Treatment for Abdominal Pain at the Emergency Room
Following the diagnosis of your stomach pain, effective and appropriate treatment is started based on your diagnosis, medical history, and pain level. The doctor will then prescribe or deliver medication to alleviate your abdomen pain by treating the underlying reason.