These organs include the
stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder,
and pancreas. Occasionally, pain may be felt in the
abdomen even though it is arising from organs that
are close to but not within the abdominal cavity,
for example, the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the
uterus or ovaries.
This later type of pain is called "referred" pain
because the pain, though originating outside the
abdomen, is being referred to (felt) the
abdominal area. Abdominal pain can be acute and
sudden on onset, or it can be chronic and
longstanding. Abdominal pain may be minor and of no
great significance, or it can reflect a major
problem involving one of the organs in the abdomen.
The characteristics of the pain--location, timing,
duration, etc. are important in diagnosing its
cause. For the details it is advisable to see the
Physician. |
