What Causes Generalized Abdominal Pain?

Generalized abdominal pain can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose generalized abdominal pain, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "generalized abdominal pain" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Ulcerative Colitis
Low Carbohydrate Diet Consequences
Short Bowel Syndrome
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects
Gluten Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Hepatitis

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

frequent unexplained fevers

occasional unexplained vomiting

significant bitter taste in mouth

itchy skin

ulcerative colitis

offensive-smelling stool

being easily irritated

seizures

chronic abdominal pain

recent onset nausea

strong appetite

poor mental clarity

... and more than 100 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of generalized abdominal pain:

Cause	Probability	Status
Low Carbohydrate Diet Consequences	93%	Confirm
Endometriosis	21%	Unlikely
Short Bowel Syndrome	21%	Unlikely
Gluten Sensitivity	3%	Ruled out
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity	2%	Ruled out
Ulcerative Colitis	1%	Ruled out
Hepatitis	0%	Ruled out
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate abdominal pain unaffected by eating, abdominal pain reduced by eating or abdominal pain increased by eating, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Do you experience general abdominal discomfort or pain that is difficult to pinpoint?

Possible responses:

→ No / can pinpoint / only after meals / don't know
→ Occasional mild discomfort
→ Frequent mild and/or occasional moderate pain
→ Frequent moderate and/or occasional severe pain
→ Frequent or constant severe pain

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate mild abdominal discomfort, moderate abdominal pain, significant abdominal pain or severe abdominal pain, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

A Potentially Urgent Medical Need

Severe acute or prolonged abdominal pain is a possible symptom of many serious conditions. You are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible, unless you already know the cause of the pain.

Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects

Blastocystosis (Blastocystis hominis)

Carcinoid Cancer

Abdominal pain may occur alone or in combination with other symptoms such as diarrhea and/or flushing and can be controlled with pain medication.

Congestive Heart Failure

Accumulation of fluid (due to congestive heart failure) in the liver and intestines may cause nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.

Crohn's Disease

Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet

Endometriosis

Environmental Illness / MCS

Giardiasis Infection

Glomerulonephritis

This occurs in a minority of patients, especially in conjunction with an episode of macro-hematuria.

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease

Hemochromatosis (Iron overload)

Hepatitis

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

IBS can cause the intestines to contract when the digestive tract responds to triggers such as stress and certain foods. This contraction can cause severe abdominal pain.

Lactose Intolerance

Recurrent abdominal pain is a symptom of lactose intolerance.

Mesenteric Ischemia

Nephrotic Syndrome

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Ovarian Cancer

Short Bowel Syndrome

Ulcerative Colitis

West Nile Virus

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™