Diabetic abdominal pain: which area is affected?
Disease description:
My wife was diagnosed with diabetes last month, and she has been experiencing abdominal pain. I would like to ask, which part of the abdomen is typically affected by abdominal pain related to diabetes?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Abdominal pain in patients with diabetes may involve multiple systems and organs, and its localization is closely related to the specific cause. Common causes include the following:
1. Upper abdominal pain: When diabetes is accompanied by conditions such as gastritis or ulcers, patients may experience upper abdominal pain, which is usually associated with gastric lesions.
2. Right lower quadrant abdominal pain: If a diabetic patient develops inflammation such as appendicitis, it may present as pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.
3. Generalized abdominal pain: In cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, patients may experience generalized abdominal pain, which is an acute complication caused by the accumulation of ketone bodies in the body.
In addition, other causes include diabetic gastroparesis, acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal infections or inflammation, intestinal obstruction, and autonomic neuropathy. For example, upper abdominal discomfort caused by gastroparesis is relatively common and may manifest as postprandial fullness, nausea, and vomiting.
Therefore, when diabetic patients experience abdominal pain, they should provide a detailed description of the nature, location, and associated symptoms of the pain and seek timely medical evaluation for an accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
