When pain or discomfort in the abdomen persists for over three months, it is called Chronic Abdominal Pain. It can occur mildly or severely and may be intermittent or constant. Several disorders, like (IBS) irritable bowel syndrome and (IBD) inflammatory bowel disease, are digestive conditions that can cause ongoing stomach pain. In addition, Pancreatitis and endometriosis are two non-digestive conditions that can also cause this kind of pain.
Chronic abdominal discomfort may significantly impact an individual's emotional and mental health, resulting in anxiety, sadness, social isolation, difficulty doing daily tasks, and difficulty functioning. In the event of chronic abdominal pain being experienced, it is essential to seek medical help since this could point towards a graver underlying ailment. By administering diagnostic tests, medical staff can detect the cause of pain and then implement an individualized treatment program incorporating surgery, lifestyle alterations, or medications. By getting the necessary treatment done hand in hand with the guidance given by doctors or other health professionals who specialize in such conditions, numerous people plagued with chronic abdominal pain will be able to manage it efficiently while improving their overall quality of life.
Diagnoses can be made by examining the patient's medical history and diagnostic testing. The most common tests done to determine the cause of persistent stomach discomfort are
Blood tests:These tests help find infections, swelling, and other problems in the body.
Stool tests: Stool samples can be analyzed for parasites, bacteria, and blood to identify gastrointestinal infections or disorders.
Imaging tests: X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans are used to find problems with the organs in the abdomen, like diseases or tumors.
Endoscopy: During this procedure, a tiny camera is inserted through the mouth or rectum to view the gastrointestinal system and identify diseases, including inflammation, polyps, and ulcers.
Medications: Doctors may prescribe medicines that reduce inflammation, antibiotics, or antispasmodics for treating the symptoms, depending on the cause of the pain.
Lifestyle modifications: You can manage symptoms and enhance your quality of life by making dietary and lifestyle changes, exercising more, and lowering stress levels.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy:Patients who get this therapy can recognize and control the stresses contributing to their stomach discomfort.
Surgery:It could be required in some circumstances to treat the underlying problem causing the discomfort.
Interventional pain management strategies may be utilized to treat persistent abdominal pain when more traditional remedies like prescription drugs and lifestyle modifications fail. The following are a few interventional pain treatment methods for constant abdominal pain
Nerve blocks: To effectively block pain, a local anesthetic or steroid drug is injected into the nerves that carry pain signals from the belly to the brain.
Spinal cord stimulation: It blocks pain signals from the abdomen by implanting a device that sends electrical pulses to the nerves in the spinal cord.
Intrathecal drug delivery: A pump is inserted to carry painkillers straight to the spinal cord, avoiding the digestive system and reducing adverse effects.
Radiofrequency ablation: Using heat produced by radio waves can kill the nerves that carry pain signals from the abdomen to the brain.
Trigger point injections:They can relieve abdominal pain caused by muscle tension. It involves injecting medication directly into the affected muscles.