Abdomen Pain

Abdomen pain, or abdominal pain, is considered to be any pain that occurs in the general region below the rib cage, extending down to the pelvis, and to the flanks on either side of the front of the human body. 

When talking about pain in this area, many people call it "stomach pain," even if the pain is well below the area where the actual stomach exists.

Causes of abdomen pain usually include a problem or condition involving the following organs:

• colon
• gallbladder
• liver 
• pancreas
• small intestine
• stomach

Disorders of a woman's reproductive organs may also cause pain in the abdomen. Pain caused by the lower lungs and kidney problems may sometimes be felt in the abdomen. This is called referred pain.  

Causes of Abdomen Pain 

A wide range of diseases and conditions may cause abdomen pain. Some of the most common include

• appendicitis, which causes sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, where the appendix is located.
• cancer of the organs located in the abdominal cavity.
• conditions and diseases of the colon, including diverticulitis and diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowl syndrome.
• constipation and diarrhea (sometimes caused by stomach flu or gastroenteritis)
• gallbladder problems, gallstones and bile duct obstructions, which cause pain in the right upper abdomen.
• ectopic pregnancy.
• hernia.
• kidney stones (typically pain occurs in the flanks, but may radiate down to the abdomen).
• liver problems such as hepatitis (in which the liver swells)
• mentrual cramping.
• muscle spasms can occur in the muscular tissue walls of the abdomen.
• pancreatitis causes severe, relentless, steady pain in the upper abdomen and upper back, lasting one or more days.
• stomach gas and intestinal gas.
• stomach ulcers, stomach pain.

In diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain, your doctor will consider

• location of the pain, and 
• how and when the pain began.

 The abdomen is packed with vital organs, so the cause of abdomen pain isn't always easy to diagnose. This article has listed list some of the most common types. Also see diagnosing abdomen pain causes.