Pain in the lower abdomen

If the patient complains that "it hurts the lower abdomen", the doctor knows what characteristics of the pains should first be clarified. Indication of only localization is of little significance in diagnosis. The lower abdomen includes the organs of different systems, but they can get sick the same way.

Therefore, to determine the diagnosis and to appoint the right treatment, you will need consultations of different specialists( gastroenterologist, gynecologist, neurologist, urologist), additional examination and mandatory laboratory diagnostics.

To convince the reader of the need for these measures, we will provide a brief summary of the most common pathology that occurs in pain in the lower abdomen. Let's start with anatomy and figure out what can hurt in the lower abdomen.

Which organs lie in the person at the bottom of the abdomen, the significance of their functions for the body

The lower part( floor) of the abdomen is separated from the average conditional horizontal line connecting the crests of the iliac bones. They can be probed by anyone who wants the most protruding bones of the pelvis. In the central zone above the pubis is located the bladder with the joining ureteral mouths. The loops of the small intestine also descend here.

The bubble overflows above the pubic bone. It includes 0.5 l of urine produced by the kidneys and delivered by the ureters. The narrowest section is equipped with a muscular sphincter. In the bladder, urine accumulates with unnecessary organism slag substances, excess liquid. From the work of the sphincter depends on the timely opening and closing of the channel of emptying into the urethra.

Urinary excretion is regulated by the nervous system. The urethra ends the urethra. An important feature is the high probability of infection in women due to a wide and short form. And in men, the problem of why the abdomen is hurting does not do without clarifying the state of the prostate gland.

It is located in the upper part of the urethral canal below the bladder, producing seminal fluid to ensure the viability of spermatozoa. The enlargement of the organ leads to compression of the urethra, which may complicate the outflow of urine.

Women immediately behind the bladder have a uterus with appendages( fallopian tubes and ovaries).Diseases of the genitals are often associated with a violation of the hormonal balance, age, accompanied by pain, have their own distinctive features and methods of examination.

The small intestine partially touches the center of the lower abdomen. When it is affected, pain and digestive disorders should be expected. Thanks to a special device of the wall, it absorbs useful nutrients directly into the blood. This means that in case of pathology a person loses the way of getting vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats.

The iliac zones are called the lower lateral parts of the abdomen, adjacent to the same pelvic bones. To the right of it there are: a cecum with a vermiform appendage, a ureter, loops of the small intestine. Left - except the left ureter and small intestine, sigmoid and straight.

The role of the large intestine is the reverse absorption of the necessary volume of fluid, the formation of feces and the provision of the necessary peristalsis for its removal. In the area of ​​the sigmoid colon, there are bends that slow the movement of stool masses. It is this zone that is most susceptible to the effects of toxic substances being withdrawn, and has the greatest risk in the formation of malignant tumors.

Pain in the lower abdomen causes lesions of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae. Destruction of the bodies, the formation of "thorns" leads to squeezing and re-irritation of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord. Usually there is irradiation in the lower back, hips, abdomen.

In order not to return to neurological reasons, we note that such pains are described by patients as "shooting", forming zones of impaired skin sensitivity on the back, buttocks, hips. A significant proportion of the disease is peculiar only to men or women, but there are reasons for the pain in the lower abdomen, which equally affect any person.

When can a lower abdomen hurt people of both sexes?

As we found from the section on anatomy, in both sexes, the abdomen below the stomach can hurt while the digestive tract and urinary organs are affected. Symptoms do not have specificity in women and men. The following are caused:

• by intestinal lesions( inflammation, tumor growth, developmental abnormalities);
• diseases of the lower urinary organs( bladder, ureters).

Pain caused by bowel pathology

Most often, intestinal loops suffer from an inflammatory process caused by infection, a nonspecific reaction. Especially if infection occurs in areas with a disturbed wall structure.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Syndrome is considered a functional disorder. It is important that despite intensive spastic pain along the bowels, no changes are detected. The main reason is usually associated with an excessive specific reaction to stress.

Suffer mostly young people with emotional perception of the environment, overloaded with studies and work, not observing the diet, without active motor load. Patients are concerned about upset of the stool, bloating and a feeling of bowel overflow.

Acute gastroenteritis

The most common disease among adults and children. More often occurs in the form of outbreaks in organized children's groups. It is caused by a violation of the technology of processing products, the spread of infection from a bacteriovirus that has contact with food units, packaging and transportation. Why does the pain in the lower abdomen become clear after bacteriological examination and the isolation of a particular pathogen.

Symptoms of illness:

• temperature increase;
• stomach pain, along the bowel;
• nausea and repeated vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• bloating and rumbling in the abdomen.

The younger the child, the harder the disease is tolerated. When examined, soreness is determined not only in the lower abdomen, but around the navel. Dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea in children can not quickly recover, so there are convulsions, a violation of consciousness.

Crohn's disease

An unclear inflammation that affects all parts of the digestive system. Characterized by proliferation of granulomas( tubercles) on the mucosa, because of what the endoscopic picture is called "cobblestone pavement".The reasons remain unclear.

When lesions of small and large intestines adjacent to the lower abdominal areas cause severe pain in the abdomen. At the site of inflammation, the bowel wall is destroyed from superficial ulcers, through penetration into neighboring organs and the abdominal cavity.

The disease, even with a decrease in symptoms, can relapse for 20 years. Often occurs in boys with burdened heredity, a sharp decrease in immunity. The pains are constant, felt like bursting, intensified by a violation of diet, unrest.

Other symptoms include:

• bloating;
• frequent loose stools;
• nausea and vomiting;
• slight increase in temperature;
• weight loss;
• weakness.

Local intermittent abscesses cause local pulsation.

Acute and chronic appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix in accordance with classical features is localized in the right ileal region. Chronic flow occurs when the spontaneous process restricts the process, making it difficult to spread through the peritoneum.

Details of the symptomatology and clinical course of appendicitis and other diseases with localization in the lower right of the abdomen can be found in this article.

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis

The disease is included in the number of pathologies with an unclear reason. It was found that the lesion touches the mucous and submucous layer of the large intestine. It begins with the sigmoid and rectum and spreads upward.

Pain in the initial stage is localized in the left ileal region, spastic, radiating to the left side, intensified after eating. Patients constantly have a lower abdominal pain and appetite. Additional symptoms: impurities of pus, mucus and blood in the stool, frequent loose stools, fever, weight loss, weakness.

Diverticulosis

The disease is caused by the formation in the wall of any part of the intestine of the saccate formations protruding outwards. The main reasons are:

• abnormalities of the intestinal tube;
• infringement of blood supply and loss of a tone in a wall of an intestine at persons in advanced age, inclined to constipations;
• lack of water and fiber in the diet;
• excess weight and low physical activity.

Flows asymptomatically until the diverticulum gets an infection and there is no inflammation. Inside the "bag" an abscess is formed, the outlet to the intestine is quickly blocked by edematous walls. There is a throbbing pain in the lower abdomen at the site of the diverticulum projection.

Large intestine cancer

The causes of malignant transformation are precancerous diseases( Crohn's disease, chronic inflammation, ulcerative colitis), impaired quality and diet, poor heredity.

It is important in the clinic that when the abdomen is hurting on the left with irradiation in the side, the loin, the tumor is already in the stage of neglect. Early signs are almost impossible to detect. Growth of the tumor is accompanied:

• constant dull pain in the lower abdomen on the left;
• bloating;
• constipation;
• temperature increase;
• loss of appetite and weight.

Inguinal hernia

Hernia is the loss of contents of the abdominal cavity in the ring, formed by the divergence of muscle aponeurosis. In patients, a soft protrusion in the standing position and under stress formation from below in the ileal region to the left or to the right is determined.

Congenital in nature due to insufficiency of the structure and composition of connective tissue. Or it is acquired during a life at the raised pressure in an abdominal cavity( cough of smokers, ascites, adiposity).

Intestinal loop enters the hernia gates. Provoke abaissement can a sharp rise in the severity, straining with constipation. With a fairly convenient self-correction of the hernial sac, patients are concerned about slight tingling. But in the event that the fallen loop of the intestine is pinched by muscle contraction, there is a danger of developing necrosis.

Patients appear:

• very severe pain in the area of ​​a hernia in the groin;
• vomiting;
• bloating in the upper parts( picture of intestinal obstruction), constipation.

Diseases of the urinary system

Abdominal pain in the pathology of the urinary organs causes: inflammation, stretching of the wall of the bladder and ureter when urine stagnation or mechanical obstruction, changing the composition of the released electrolytes to form salt concretions.

Cystitis

Infection of the bladder is possible through the blood, urine from the kidneys with pyelonephritis, from the urethra. It leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Possible risk factors:

• hypothermia, especially of the legs;
• hormonal imbalance;
• taking medications that injure the mucous membranes;
• reduction of protective forces;
• stagnation of venous blood in the pelvic region.

The pain is permanent blunt bursting or aching nature, accompanied by fever, nausea, feeling of incomplete emptying. Cystitis is usually combined with inflammation of the urethra, so patients experience frequent urination with cuts, mucus, blood or pus in the urine.

Urolithiasis

Disease is a consequence of the precipitation of crystals of salts( oxalates, phosphates, urates, less often), their gluing into conglomerates. Promotion of the stone in the lower urinary tract is accompanied by a fit of severe pain.

provoked by shaking in transport, physical activity. Pain is one-sided. Irradiate in the side, lower back, groin, labia in women and the scrotum in men. Last for several hours. At the end of the attack, drops of blood are excreted in the urine. Against the background of pain in patients there is a retention of urine, vomiting.

Bladder cancer

Pathology is more common in men. The tumor begins with the epithelium of the mucosa and sprouts the entire wall. The connection of damage with occupational hazard is noted( work on the production of synthetic materials, rubber, in the coal mining industry).Increased risk in patients with urolithiasis, men with chronic prostatitis.

The onset of the disease does not have a specific symptomatology. With the growth of the tumor there are complaints that it hurts the abdomen of the abdomen above the pubis, urination is accompanied by cuts, blood in the urine.

"Male" pains in the lower abdomen

Diseases of the prostate in men are manifested by severe pain in the lower abdomen.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland is characterized by a long persistent flow pattern. At the same time, seminal vesicles become inflamed. For reasons of different inflammation:

• caused by penetration into the prostate of pathogenic microorganisms( bacteria, viruses, fungi);
• is caused by factors that complicate the outflow of secretion to the urethra( sedentary work, low physical and sexual activity).

Men feel constant blunt pains in the lower abdomen, radiating to the coccyx, anal opening, scrotum. With swelling of the body, the patency of the urethral canal is violated and urination is delayed, so the pain syndrome is accompanied by:

• painful urge to urinate;
• burning in the urethra;
• temperature increase;
• cure;
• constipation, pain during defecation.

Common signs of chronic inflammation include: muscle, joint and headaches, fatigue, insomnia, irritability. The disease affects the potency, causes pain in the head of the penis, decreased erectile capacity.

Adenoma and prostate cancer

Adenoma is a benign neoplasm. The tumor is formed from epithelial cells. The proliferation of prostate tissue, an increase in the body leads to stagnation of urine, infection of urinary structures. Men feel a constant weight in the lower abdomen, an ineffectual urge to urinate.

In prostate cancer, the initial signs do not differ from the adenoma. Then the pain becomes stronger, the visible blood appears in the urine. In the late stage of metastases are formed, so men feel strong permanent pain in the spine, pelvic and femur. Increases weakness, weight falls.

Female Diseases

Gynecologists believe that abdominal pain is the most common complaint in practice. Isolate the pain syndrome:

• acute and chronic;
• associated with pregnancy and not related;
• is cyclic( with menstruation) and acyclic.

Can the lower abdomen hurt during pregnancy? According to the mechanism of education, this symptom is associated with the extension of the ligamentous apparatus. Typical for first and late pregnancy. A woman feels pain in her movements. Experts are very concerned about acute pain. They can signal a dysfunctional current.

Sudden pain during pregnancy

Sudden pain syndrome occurs in women:

• with spontaneous abortion - manifested by contractions of varying intensity, bleeding from the vagina. If an artificial abortion is performed, the signs indicate an incomplete removal of the fetal egg, the onset of sepsis. A woman has a fever, a chill appears.
• ectopic pregnancy - 95% of the fetal egg is fixed in the tubes, the pain is one-sided, gradually increases, it increases with defecation and movements.

If pain is not associated with pregnancy

Acute pain is caused by ovarian pathology. Bleeding from the ovary occurs as a result of rupture of the vessel during inflammation. Irritation of the peritoneum with blood and over-exertion of the capsule organ cause severe pain on the side of the lesion.

Cyst rupture releases fluid, it acts on peritoneal sheets and contributes to pain. Torsion of the cyst is accompanied by ischemia and further tissue necrosis. Pain unilateral, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fainting, shock.

Syndrome of hyperstimulation - is caused by large doses of hormones in the treatment of infertility. The ovaries are enlarged, contain multiple cysts. The woman is worried about the increase in weight, dyspnea, urinary output decreases, ascites appears.

Inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries( salpingoophoritis, endometritis) causes an infection such as mycoplasma, chlamydia. The pain occurs if the woman has chilled the area of ​​the waist, pelvis, legs. When finding that the pain is throbbing, suspected abscess( abscess) is suspected. The temperature rises sharply, accompanied by a chill, pronounced intoxication.

In women, pain can be caused by menstruation, fluctuations in the hormonal background. Precisely decide what to do if the abdomen hurts, can the gynecologist after the examination. The problem of pain in the lower abdomen can not be postponed. From the identification of the cause and treatment depends not only health, but also the life of patients.