Pain In The Middle Of The Abdomen

What Causes Central Abdominal Pain?

Central abdominal pain can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'needs attention' to 'life-threatening'.  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 central 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 "central abdominal pain" as a symptom.  Here are three possibilities:
  • Pancreatitis
  • Possible Urgent Medical Need
  • Gallbladder Disease

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:
slight abdominal distension
very great recent weight loss
current birth control pill use
possibly jaundiced skin
moderate chest pain
attempting suicide
recent onset abdominal pain
pain in one eye
mild epigastric discomfort
meals worsen top-right abdomen pain
severe flatulence
frequent rotten egg burps
... and more than 50 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of central abdominal pain:
Cause Probability Status
Pancreatitis 99% Confirm
Possible Urgent Medical Need 17% Unlikely
Gallbladder Disease 3% 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:
MIDDLE-CENTER abdomen: Do you experience discomfort or pain in the area of your navel (belly button)?
Possible responses:
→ No / 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 periumbilical discomfort, moderate periumbilical pain, significant periumbilical pain or severe periumbilical pain, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
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Symptom Entry
Symptom Entry
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Suggestions
Suggestions
LifeMeter
LifeMeter®
Full Explanations
Explanations
Optional Doctor Review
Review (optional)
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