The differential diagnosis (DD) of abdominal pain is broad, ranging from benign, self-limited issues to life-threatening conditions. Key causes include gastrointestinal (appendicitis, gastroenteritis, obstruction), genitourinary (UTI, stones, ectopic pregnancy), vascular (mesenteric ischemia), and metabolic disorders. Diagnostic focus depends on location: right upper quadrant (cholecystitis), left lower (diverticulitis), or right lower (appendicitis).

What is a differential diagnosis of abdominal pain?

The differential diagnosis is broad, including infections, inflammatory processes, vascular occlusion, aortic dissection, bowel obstruction, undiagnosed tumors, or a ruptured viscous. Patients often present with sudden abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, or distension.

What is the DD of generalized abdominal pain?

Acute abdominal pain, defined as nontraumatic abdominal pain lasting fewer than seven days, is a common presenting concern with a broad differential diagnosis. The most common causes are gastroenteritis and nonspecific abdominal pain, followed by cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, diverticulitis, and appendicitis.

What are the 5 F's of abdominal distension?

However, abdominal distension isn't always from digestive processes. Healthcare providers diagnose a distended abdomen in terms of the “five 'f's”: flatus (gas), fetus (pregnancy), feces (trapped poop), fluid (from several causes) or fat.

What is the most common cause of abdominal pain?

The most common causes usually aren't serious, such as gas pains, indigestion or a pulled muscle. Other conditions may need medical attention right away. The location and pattern of abdominal pain can provide important clues, but how long it lasts is especially useful when figuring out its cause.

Abdominal Pain: Signs, Examination & Diagnosis – Emergency Medicine | Lecturio

What are the 6 F's of abdominal pain?

The causes of abdominal swelling can be remembered conveniently as the six Fs: flatus, fat, fluid, fetus, feces, or a “fatal growth” (often a neoplasm).

What are the four types of abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is often categorized by its quality (like cramp-like, colicky) or location (upper, lower, left, right), but a common medical classification describes four main types based on origin: Visceral (dull, poorly localized from organs), Parietal (sharp, localized from abdominal lining), Referred (felt away from the source, e.g., shoulder pain from gallbladder), and Functional (persistent pain with no identifiable cause). Understanding these helps doctors pinpoint issues, from indigestion (generalized/visceral) to appendicitis (parietal) or gallstones (referred).

What is the main cause of abdominal distension?

Abdominal swelling, or distention, is more often caused by overeating than by a serious illness. This problem also can be caused by: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem)

What does distension of the abdomen feel like?

An uncomfortable feeling of belly (abdomen) fullness or pressure. This is also reported as having a sensation of trapped gas. The waist or girth increases in diameter. Belly pain.

What is a red flag for abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain red flags include sudden, severe pain; high fever; blood in vomit or stool (black, tarry, or red); persistent vomiting; inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement; jaundice; dizziness/fainting; pain after trauma; and pain that worsens or interferes with daily life, signaling potential serious issues like appendicitis, bowel obstruction, or internal bleeding, and warranting immediate medical attention.

What are the 7 F's of abdominal pain?

Visceral pain – stretching of the peritoneum or organ capsule Page 12 Scars – could indicate previous surgery or trauma – old scars are usually white new scars are red/pink. 7 F's of distension – fat, fluid, fetus, flatus, faeces, 'filthy' big tumor, 'phantom' pregnancy.

What is the DD for left lower quadrant pain?

The most common differential diagnoses include renal colic, urinary tract infection, gynaecologic disorders, epiploic appendicitis, perforated carcinoma, other inflammatory diseases of the colon and diseases of the abdominal wall.

What is a DDX for epigastric abdominal pain?

Differential diagnoses common to the epigastric region include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, gastric ulcers, and pancreatitis.

How to tell if abdominal pain is muscular or internal?

Muscular abdominal pain often worsens with movement, twisting, or pressing, is typically sharp/localized, and might improve with rest, while internal organ pain (visceral) is usually a dull ache, harder to pinpoint, may be constant or intermittent, and often comes with digestive issues like nausea or vomiting, though it can sometimes mimic muscle pain. A key test is Carnett's test: if pain increases when tensing muscles (like lifting legs), it's muscular; if it stays the same or worsens with pressure, it's likely internal.
 

What is a DDX for pelvic pain?

Differential Diagnosis

Gynecological: Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic adhesion disease, recurrent ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, leiomyoma, adenomyosis, hydrosalpinx, post-tubal ligation pain syndrome, and ovarian remnant syndrome.

Can urgent care diagnose pancreatitis?

Yes, urgent care clinics can provide initial diagnosis and treatment for pancreatitis. However, severe cases or complications may require referral to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

What are the 7 F's of abdominal distension?

I still remember the medical school mnemonic-food, fat, flab, fluid, flatus, feces, fetus, factitious, fatal, and fruitcake. The ten “Fs” were the causes of abdominal distention. The “fatal” referred to tumors and the “fruitcake” to patients with psychiatric problems.

What does trapped gas feel like?

Trapped gas can feel like pain or pressure in various locations throughout the trunk of your body. Gas pain can feel like: Tenderness, fullness or pressure (bloating) in your abdomen (sometimes, your belly looks visibly larger, or distended). A sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache in your abdomen.

What does diverticulitis pain feel like?

Diverticulitis pain feels like a sharp, persistent, and often severe ache or cramp, usually in the lower left abdomen, though it can be dull and steady or even burning, often worsening with movement and sometimes radiating to the back, accompanied by tenderness, fever, and changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea). It's generally constant, unlike cramping pains, and can come on suddenly or build up gradually.

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