Lower Abdominal Pain

[medikat06]

For about two weeks I have had what feels like a cramping feeling in my lower-right abdomen. It started out lower-left and at the time I was menstrating so I put it down to that. Now it is worse and is generally localized to one area, although I am experiencing discomfort throughout the middle section of my thoracic cavity. Any ideas as to what this could be and how I could go about getting treatment for it?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Thanks for writing.

I read your post carefully and I think there are two problems—one in your lower right abdomen and the other in your chest (thoracic cavity as you mentioned).

Discomfort in your chest could be acidity or heart burn. Antacids give relief. The other reason could be due to esophageal reflux, where the food in your stomach is thrown up into your food pipe or esophagus. This also causes burning sensation or discomfort in the chest area. Cough or heart problems too cause discomfort in chest area. I would strongly recommend you see a physician about this.

Your other problem is the pain or cramps in your lower right abdomen. Please consult a physician and gynecologist about it. There could be various possibilities like involvement of your intestines or ovary or appendix or kidney. It could also be infection of your intestines due to something you had. It’s difficult to say without examining.

Let me know what your doctor says. If you need more help, please feel free to contact. I’ll be happy to answer your queries.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Going by your symptoms five possibilities are coming to my mind.Firstly,it can be pelvic inflammatory disease which can be caused by an infection of the pelvic organs.
As you are a female, so this possibility is high. It can also be due to fibroid uterus or ovarian cysts. Ultrasound abdomen and cervical swabs are needed to rule them out.

Secondly possibility of irritable bowel syndrome is also there. Diagnosis is made on basis of clinical evaluation.

Thirdly, appendicitis has to be ruled out. This possibility is rare as pain of appendicitis is severe and is associated with vomitings and fever.

Fourthly, Crohn’s disease can be the cause of this pain. Crohn's disease most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine, usually located in the right lower abdomen. Diagnosed by barium enemas and colonoscopy.

Lastly,renal pathology can be the cause of this pain.It manifests as a sharp shooting pain due to renal colic.

Confirmation can be done only after ultrasound or CT abdomen.Blood tests may also be required in some cases.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.