What causes sudden severe abdominal pain?
Mar 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Abdominal pain refers to pain in the abdomen. In general, sudden and severe abdominal pain may be caused by improper diet, vigorous exercise, exposure of the abdomen to cold, acute gastroenteritis, acute cholecystitis, or other similar reasons. Symptomatic management may involve general treatment, medication, and other approaches. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for a comprehensive examination to determine the underlying cause.
Stomach pain refers to abdominal pain. In general, sudden and severe abdominal pain may be caused by improper diet, strenuous exercise, abdominal cold exposure, acute gastroenteritis, acute cholecystitis, and other conditions. Symptomatic treatment such as general care or medication may be needed. If symptoms persist or worsen, timely medical consultation and comprehensive examinations are recommended to determine the cause. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Improper Diet
Consuming excessive amounts of food, eating spicy, greasy, or spoiled food may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and cause acute abdominal pain. Accompanying symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is recommended to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy, irritating, or cold foods, and abdominal massage may be used to relieve pain.
2. Strenuous Exercise
During intense physical activity, blood flow shifts to the muscles, reducing circulation to the gastrointestinal tract. Eating immediately afterward increases the digestive burden, which may lead to indigestion and abdominal pain. Accompanying symptoms may include bloating and belching. It is advisable to avoid eating large amounts of food immediately after exercising and wait a while before consuming food in moderation.
3. Abdominal Cold Exposure
When the abdomen is exposed to cold, blood vessels constrict to reduce heat loss, which may lead to poor circulation, causing local tissue hypoxia or insufficient nutrient supply, thus triggering pain. Symptoms may include abdominal muscle tension, diarrhea, or constipation. Pain can be relieved by applying heat or massaging the abdomen in daily life, and keeping the abdomen warm to avoid further cold exposure is important.
4. Acute Gastroenteritis
Acute gastroenteritis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection, which may lead to acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing mucosal congestion, edema, or even erosion, thus causing pain. Inflammation may also accelerate intestinal motility, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea. It is recommended to take medications such as Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Capsules, Bismuth Potassium Citrate Tablets, Enteritis Ling Granules, and others under a doctor's guidance for treatment.
5. Acute Cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis is generally an inflammation occurring in the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones. It may cause pain in the upper right abdomen that radiates to the shoulder or back, accompanied by symptoms such as jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as Cefalexin Dry Mix Suspension, Azithromycin Capsules, Tramadol Hydrochloride Injection, and others to relieve pain.
In daily life, if sudden and severe abdominal pain occurs, one should rest on the spot, relax the body, and try slow deep breathing to alleviate tension. Blindly taking painkillers should be avoided as it may mask the underlying condition.
