Abdominal Pain

Abdominal Pain Diagnosis

In many cases, abdominal pain isn’t serious enough to warrant medical care. However, if you have recurrent and/or severe abdominal pain (or any of the above symptoms), it’s important that you see your healthcare provider. They will be able to determine the cause of your pain, as well as the best course of treatment. Because the abdomen contains so many organs and structures, it can be difficult to diagnose^[11] the exact cause of abdominal pain. However, if your provider suspects that something serious may be causing it, the following tests may be used to determine the underlying cause of abdominal pain^[12]:

• Blood tests: Some blood tests are used to determine the levels of certain enzymes in the liver, pancreas, and heart, which can help identify which organ may be involved in your pain. Other blood tests can look for signs of infection (such as a high white blood cell count) or bleeding (such as low red blood cell count or hemoglobin).
• Urine tests: Urine tests can be used to look for urine infections, blood in the urine (which can indicate kidney stones), or other related conditions, such as diabetes or a urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Rectal exam: A rectal exam involves checking the rectum (section of the digestive tract just before the anus) for blood or other signs of problems.
• Physical exam or pelvic exam: A healthcare provider may check a man’s penis and scrotum for any problems that may contribute to abdominal pain. In women, a pelvic exam may be performed to check for pregnancy or problems in the womb (uterus), fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
• Imaging tests: Various imaging tests can be used to indicate problems with certain organs. Electrocardiogram (ECG) can help show signs of a heart attack, while X-ray and ultrasound of the abdomen can help reveal any blockages in the digestive tract and detect the presence of kidney stones and gallstones.
• Upper GI series/endoscopy: An endoscopy—a minimally invasive procedure in which a flexible tube with a camera is used to examine internal organs—can be used to reveal numerous causes of abdominal pain. An upper endoscopy, in particular, examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper portion of the small intestine.
• Lower GI series/colonoscopy: Similar to endoscopy, a colonoscopy is used to detect abnormalities or changes in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. While an endoscopy involves inserting a camera through the esophagus, the camera used during a colonoscopy (called a colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum.

A lower GI series may also involve a barium enema—an X-ray exam used to detect abnormalities or changes in the large intestine (colon). This exam, also called a colon X-ray, involves injecting liquid into the rectum through a small tube. This liquid (barium) serves as a contrast solution that helps produce images of the colon.