Not The Head, Not The Chest: Doctors Say You Should Never Ignore Pain In This Body Part

Everyone experiences pain at some point, but both the severity and location may warrant immediate action. For example, sudden, severe head pain can be associated with life-threatening conditions. Likewise, chest discomfort, is one of the most recognized signs associated with a possible heart attack. While sudden or severe chest and head pain should never be ignored, these aren't the only areas of the body worth paying extra attention to in order help detect serious issues. Such is the case with the abdomen. Abdominal pain can be caused by numerous factors, yet the potential for serious underlying causes makes this a symptom you should never ignore.

Abdominal pain is characterized by any type of discomfort you feel between your ribs and your pelvis. Healthcare professionals evaluate abdominal pain based on six features: intensity, onset, migration, localization, progression, and character (type). These features can help them determine which organ or other structure is responsible for the pain. Possibilities include the stomach, appendix, small intestine, gallbladder, and the pancreas, just to name a few. Muscles and skin may cause abdominal pain as well. Abdominal pain can be further classified as sudden (acute) or ongoing and intermittent over the course of several weeks to years (chronic), but both can have serious underlying causes. 

In many cases, abdominal pain is temporary and will go away. Digestive issues, stomach flu, and menstruation are all common causes. The location of your pain can provide important clues about the source of the discomfort, says the Cleveland Clinic. For example, upper-left abdominal pain may be caused by gastritis, or issues with the stomach, spleen, or pancreas. The upper-right side can signal gallstones, kidney stones, bowel obstructions, or problems with liver function. 

Lower-left abdominal pain, on the other hand, is associated with diverticulitis, while lower-right side pain may point to appendicitis (your appendix may not be as useless as you think!). Pain in the lower abdominal region is associated with chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as acute issues such as hernias and bladder infections. Problems in the pelvic area may be caused by different types of cancers, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or an ectopic pregnancy.

As a rule of thumb, abdominal pain is especially concerning if it has an acute onset, is severe, has an unexplained cause, or won't ease up. These cases warrant immediate medical care. Also seek emergency care if abdominal pain is associated with a recent traumatic injury. The Medical University of South Carolina notes that chronic abdominal pain that lasts for a few minutes and migrates may have a less severe underlying cause compared with pain that stays in one spot and gradually worsens. To be on the safe side, it's best to talk with a healthcare professional if you're uncertain of the source of any abdominal pain.