Pulling pains in the lower abdomen: diagnosis, treatment

Every second person at least once in their life has been bothered by nagging pains in the lower abdomen. Today, many people wonder what these pains are, whether they need to be treated, whether they are considered a disease or just a pathological condition. It is known that such pains can occur even in a normal state, in a completely healthy person. Pain can be present in both men and women, and even in children. In order to respond correctly to the occurrence of pain, you need to have a certain understanding of them.

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Epidemiology

They occur in women approximately 2.5 times more often than in men. Every second person has experienced pulling pains in the lower abdomen at least once in their life. Women, unlike men, experience physiological, natural pain. In men, any pain in the lower abdomen indicates pathology. In 65% of cases, women experience premenstrual pain, which is considered physiological and is considered a normal variant.

During pregnancy, pain occurs in 78% of women. In 73% of cases, pain occurs in the early stages and is physiological, in 23% of cases, pain is pathological. In women over 35, pathological pain occurs in 54% of cases, while in women under 35, pathological pain occurs only in 21% of cases.

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Diagnostics pulling pains in the lower abdomen

In order to diagnose nagging pain, you must first determine the cause of its occurrence. You can first consult a therapist, who will prescribe the necessary examination and refer you for a consultation with a highly specialized specialist.

To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental examination results may be required. In order to distinguish between several diseases with similar symptoms, it is necessary to conduct differential diagnostics. This requires anamnesis, laboratory and instrumental examination results. It is necessary to establish an accurate clinical picture of each disease, to highlight the main features.

Some specific methods may be required. For example, in order to differentiate a polyp from a malignant tumor, a biopsy must be performed with subsequent collection of biological material for histological examination. Based on the results, the nature of the microorganism's growth, its growth rate, it is possible to judge the nature of the neoplasm and select appropriate therapy.

The main principle of diagnostics is accuracy and timeliness. The earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to choose a treatment. And the greater the chances of recovery. Many diseases, for example, peritonitis, oncological processes, can be cured only in the early stages. Therefore, it is important to undergo timely diagnostics, attend preventive examinations. This is the key to early detection and elimination of pathology.

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Tests

To determine the cause of pain, a series of studies must be conducted. They are a sign of many diseases. Therefore, they often begin with clinical tests: blood, urine, feces. The results will show at least a general picture of the pathology, and you can judge in which direction to move further. Thus, the results can generally indicate the pathologies that are present in the body.

For example, a blood test may indicate that an inflammatory process is occurring in the body. A urine test may clarify that the inflammatory process is occurring in the kidneys and genitourinary system. After this, specialized research methods are carried out to clarify the diagnosis. A biochemical analysis can tell a lot. The results can also be used to judge the nature of the pathology in the body.

Specific studies may also be required. For example, a detailed immunogram is often performed if there is a suspicion of a disorder of the immune system and the body's defense mechanisms. Hormonal tests are required in almost all cases, especially for women. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to hormonal changes and often the cause of their pain is hormonal imbalance or hormonal restructuring.

Often, a test for latent infections is required, since pain often occurs as a result of an inflammatory and infectious process in the genitourinary organs. Men are more likely to develop a latent infection.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Since tests are often insufficient, instrumental diagnostics are required. It is more informative. For example, if diseases of the stomach and intestines are suspected, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and ultrasound are most often performed.

Gastroscopy allows you to examine the condition of the gastrointestinal tract from the inside, evaluate the walls, mucous membranes, and identify possible pathologies. In this case, a person swallows a probe with a camera at the end. The advantage of this method is that, if necessary, you can take a biopsy for further histological examination, or a scraping from the mucous membrane to detect Helicobacter, which is the causative agent of gastritis and other diseases. You can examine the microflora, acidity of the environment and gastric juice. Also, if necessary, the procedure can go from diagnostic to therapeutic: you can remove polyps, cauterize small erosions or bleeding vessels, and more.

Colonoscopy allows to assess the condition of the intestine from the lower sections: rectum, sigmoid. This allows to detect changes, damage to the mucous membrane, erosions, tumors, to assess intestinal patency. This method has great diagnostic significance, since often the cause of pain in the lower abdomen is constipation, congestion, intestinal obstruction, inflammation of the sigmoid colon, its expansion or elongation, accumulation of feces, intoxication with feces.

Ultrasound allows you to study the topography, location and appearance of internal organs, evaluate their proportions and relationships with each other, and the size of organs. Echogenicity of individual areas is of great diagnostic importance. Zones of increased echogenicity may be a sign of a malignant process. Ultrasound allows you to study internal organs from the outside, from a different position, and also track the dynamics of many processes. Together, these three methods allow you to comprehensively examine the digestive system and determine the cause of nagging pain.

If diseases of the genitourinary system are suspected, a number of additional studies are also carried out. Women undergo ultrasound and X-ray examination. Abdominal or transvaginal examination may be used. Often they resort to hysteroscopy, during which the uterine cavity is examined, hysterosalpingography to assess the condition of the fallopian tubes, or colposcopy, during which the vagina is examined.

Men in most cases require a colonoscopy, ultrasound and X-ray examination.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is based on distinguishing between different signs of diseases that have similar features. Thus, if a viral or bacterial infection is suspected, a bacteriological study is carried out. For this, a smear is taken from the mucous membrane of the genitals or sexual secretion. Preliminary microscopy is carried out. Using a microscope, they estimate what microflora is included in the secretion. Based on morphological features, they approximately assume what type of microorganism is the causative agent of the disease.

Then the biological material is seeded on a nutrient medium, the culture is incubated in a thermostat for several days. After this, the growth rate and concentration of microorganisms are assessed, and colonies of the pathogen are isolated. The culture is transferred to a selective nutrient medium. A pure culture of the pathogen is obtained. After incubation, further biochemical and immunological studies are carried out, the species and genus affiliation, and concentration of the pathogen are determined. This gives grounds to clearly determine who the pathogen is and differentiate viral, bacterial, fungal diseases, or mixed infections, and to select appropriate therapy.

If a tumor is detected, it is necessary to determine its genesis: whether it is malignant or benign. For this purpose, a biopsy is performed with the collection of biological material for further histological analysis. Preliminary microscopy is performed, which makes it possible to assess the condition of the tissue, detect the presence or absence of atypical cells, detect inclusions, signs of inflammatory or infectious diseases.

Then the biological material is seeded on a selective medium intended for tissue growth. The culture is incubated in a thermostat for several weeks, then reseeded. The origin, type, and stage of the tumor are assessed based on the nature and direction of microorganism growth, and a further prognosis for its treatment or elimination is made.

In order to differentiate various inflammatory diseases and infectious processes, it is necessary to conduct a number of instrumental studies, for example: special studies of the digestive tract, urinary, and reproductive systems. Additional consultation with specialists may be required.

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Treatment pulling pains in the lower abdomen

Treatment depends directly on diagnostics and is prescribed depending on the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, and the conclusions of specialists. In general, therapy can be conservative or radical.

Conservative therapy involves drug treatment. If necessary, symptomatic therapy is carried out, which is determined by the symptoms and signs that the patient has. For example, painkillers are prescribed for severe pain, antispasmodics and muscle relaxants for spasms, antihistamines and antiallergic drugs for swelling and allergic reactions. If the cause of the disease is a viral infection, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed for pain of bacterial etiology.

Additionally, vitamin therapy, methods aimed at stimulating the immune system, normalizing the emotional and hormonal background may be prescribed. If necessary, physiotherapy, folk and homeopathic remedies, alternative medicine can be used: yoga therapy, oriental practices, meditation, acupuncture, massage, acupuncture, reflexology.

Medicines

You cannot take medications on your own without a preliminary diagnosis. This is because you first need to determine the cause of the pain. The effectiveness of the treatment depends on this. If you treat without knowing the cause of the pain, you can not only fail to get positive results, but also worsen the pathology. Many medications can have serious side effects, especially if used incorrectly or inappropriately. It is important to take precautions - undergo a preliminary diagnosis, determine the diagnosis, and only then carry out therapy. Before receiving an accurate diagnosis, only mild symptomatic therapy is allowed. For example, if you have severe pain, you can take a painkiller.

It is recommended to take No-shpa. It has a minimum of side effects, eliminates pain and spasm. No-shpa is taken 50 mg 2-3 times a day. If the drug does not have an effect within a few days, this indicates the need for urgent diagnostics and selection of etiological therapy that will directly eliminate the cause of the pathology. Severe pain, in which therapy with painkillers is ineffective, may indicate serious pathologies, including an oncological process.

Ketonal is considered a stronger remedy. It is taken a quarter of a tablet 1-2 times a day. Often, pain occurs as a result of edema, hyperemia, excessive amounts of histamine in the body. Suprastin will help eliminate all this. Take 1 tablet 1-2 times a day. If supratin does not have the desired effect, it is advisable to use loratadine, which is a stronger and more effective remedy. Refers to new generation drugs, has a prolonged effect. Take 1 tablet per day. The effect of the drug is 24 hours.

For frequent headaches and cerebrovascular accidents, take cinnarizine. It is recommended to take 1 tablet 3-4 times a day.

Papaverine for nagging pain in the lower abdomen

Papaverine is a drug that relieves pressure, eliminates spasms, and relaxes smooth muscles. It is used as a painkiller and sedative. For lower abdominal pain, it is recommended to take 0.5 or 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the disease.

Vitamins

Both in a healthy state and in pathology, the body needs vitamins. For various pains, it is recommended to take vitamins in the following daily doses:

• Vitamin C – 500 – 1000 mg
• Vitamin D – 45 mcg
• Vitamin K – 360 mcg
• Vitami RR – 60 mg.

Physiotherapy treatment

In case of pain, physiotherapy is performed, which promotes faster recovery, restores tissues, eliminates inflammation, swelling, and the infectious process. Electrophoresis, ultrasound, and radio wave treatment are most often used.

Electrophoresis facilitates rapid and precise penetration of the drug into the deep layers, into the tissue. During electrophoresis, the drug is applied to a bandage or gauze, applied. Penetration occurs under the influence of microcurrents. The most effective method is to apply to the mucous membranes or tissues. The essence of the method is that the drug penetrates directly into the tissue where it is necessary to exert an effect. In this regard, the dosage of the drug is significantly reduced.

Folk remedies

There are folk remedies that help fight lower abdominal pain. Of course, they can only have a partial effect, eliminate the symptoms. The final drug can only be selected based on a correct diagnosis, for which you need to undergo a full examination.

Chamomile decoction has proven itself well. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves spasms and swelling. It can be taken as a medicinal decoction or added to tea. To prepare the decoction, it is recommended to take 2-3 tablespoons, pour 500 ml of boiling water, and leave for 2-3 hours. Drink half a glass 5-6 times a day. It is also recommended to add chamomile to tea. Add 2-3 tablespoons of chamomile to a teapot with tea, pour boiling water, and leave for 30-60 minutes. Drink throughout the day in unlimited quantities, as desired.

It is also recommended to prepare a nutritional mixture that strengthens the immune system, restores the body, and normalizes hormonal levels.

To prepare, you will need 200 grams of dates, dried apricots, prunes, and raisins. Mix all the ingredients and mince. Mix the resulting mixture thoroughly until smooth. Separately squeeze the juice from 1 lemon. Mince the pulp and zest. Also mince 2-3 large aloe leaves. Mix the resulting mixture with the previously prepared ingredients. Add 4-5 tablespoons of honey, half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ginger. Mix everything and let it brew for 2-3 days. Take 1 tablespoon twice a day.

Also take restorative juice, which is rich in vitamins, stimulates the immune system, promotes recovery of the body. To prepare the juice, you will need two-thirds of a glass of pomegranate juice, a third of lemon juice and 2-3 tablespoons of lemongrass juice or extract. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and drink at one time. Drink 2-3 times a day.

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Herbal treatment

Herbs have long been used to treat various diseases and pathologies. For pain in the lower abdomen, even if their origin is unknown. So, mint is recommended for women. Men are not recommended to drink mint, since it promotes the production of female hormones - estrogens. This has a positive effect on women's health, but has negative consequences for men. It is recommended to brew a mint decoction. To prepare, you will need 2-3 tablespoons of mint per 400-500 ml of boiling water. Pour in, let it brew for 1-2 hours. Then drink like tea throughout the day. If necessary, you can add honey to taste.

You can also make an infusion of wormwood. It relieves pain and spasms well, and helps relax smooth muscles. Hypertensive patients should take it with caution, as wormwood can increase blood pressure. To make the infusion, you will need 2 teaspoons of wormwood and 250 ml of alcohol or vodka. Pour in, seal tightly, and leave in a dark place for 24 hours. After that, you can drink 1 teaspoon three times a day.

Pol-pala grass is effective in preventive and restorative therapy. It promotes muscle relaxation, normalization of hormonal levels, stimulates the immune system, eliminates swelling and hyperemia, and inflammatory processes.

To prepare, you need 2 tablespoons of the herb. Pour two glasses of boiling water. Infuse for 2-3 hours. Drink a tablespoon three times a day.

Melissa officinalis herb is used to treat various pains, relieve inflammation and eliminate the infectious process. To prepare, take the leaves and stems, chop finely. After that, pour about 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, insist for an hour. Drink half a glass, twice a day. People with low blood pressure should be careful, since the herb significantly reduces blood pressure.

Homeopathy

In order to cure pain of any etiology, homeopathic remedies are often added to the complex therapy. They are relatively safe and can be taken for a long time. However, they can have numerous side effects. Therefore, they should be taken with caution, following all instructions and precautions. It should be remembered that many homeopathic remedies are cumulative drugs, as a result of which they can have their main effect only after a few days, or even after the end of the full course of treatment.

Altai balm is often prescribed as a homeopathic remedy. To prepare it, you will need about 30 grams of verbena, sage, and lavender. Mix the plants, pour in vodka or alcohol (about 500 ml), add 2-3 tablespoons of hawthorn berries. Infuse for 2-3 days. Take 1 tablespoon twice a day.

The "Taiga" collection has also proven itself well. To prepare it, you need badger fat, about 100 grams. The fat is melted in a water bath, 2-3 tablespoons of hop cones, half a teaspoon of ground ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg are added.

It is recommended to take juice to relieve pain, which helps activate internal reserves and restore the body. To prepare, you will need lemon juice. Add about 50 grams of rosehip syrup and the same amount of northern cloudberry syrup to a glass of lemon. Mix thoroughly, drink a third of a glass three times a day. You can add honey to taste.

A nutritious mixture has also proven itself well. It is recommended to grate 1 banana, mix it with two tablespoons of lemon and honey. Mix until smooth, eat at one time. This puree can be prepared 2-3 times a day, washed down with juice or tea. Banana helps cleanse the blood, restore the body, removes toxins from the body, acts as a sorbent. Lemon replenishes strength, saturates the body with vitamin C.

Recovery occurs faster. Honey is also a good antioxidant and nutrient medium, removes toxins and free radicals from the body.

Surgical treatment

Pain may require surgical intervention only if it is pathological. Often, surgical treatment is used for tumors of various genesis and localization, acute inflammatory diseases, emergency conditions. Everything depends on the diagnosis, the cause of the disease.

Often, operations are performed if the cause of pain is intestinal disorders, in particular, obstruction, dolichosigma (excessive expansion or lengthening of the sigmoid colon, which leads to constant constipation). Also, urgent surgical intervention is performed if the cause is the so-called "acute abdomen" - a condition requiring urgent surgery. This includes appendicitis, inflammatory processes that can lead to peritonitis and sepsis, necrosis. If tumors are detected, operations are performed to remove them.

In case of gynecological diseases, bleeding, polyps, surgical intervention is often required. Also, the reason for surgery is an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, uterine bleeding. Sometimes pain can be a sign of severe pregnancy pathologies that require urgent delivery. If necessary, a cesarean section is performed.

In men, surgery may be required for tumors, adenomas, various neoplasms and blockages.

Complications and consequences

Pain can be a sign of some disease. If a woman's pain can be natural, physiological in nature, then men do not have such pain. All their pain is pathological in nature.

If you take the necessary measures and carry out treatment in a timely manner, you can avoid serious consequences. If you do not find out the cause of pain and do not treat it in a timely manner, you can get complications such as: pyelonephritis, prostatitis, urolithiasis, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis. Many diseases are dangerous in themselves, but they can also cause other, even more serious diseases. For example, kidney disease may occur, as a result of which renal failure.

Cirrhosis and ascites often occur. Appendicitis is dangerous because it can lead to peritonitis and sepsis. The transformation of a benign tumor into a malignant, cancerous tumor is accompanied by pain.

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Prevention

To prevent pain, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner, conduct diagnostics, and, if pathologies are detected, carry out the necessary treatment. It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat right, avoid stress, and nervous and mental overstrain. It is important to follow a daily routine, play sports, do breathing exercises, and do relaxation practices.

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Forecast

If the nagging pain in the lower abdomen is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, the prognosis may be favorable. If the pain is ignored and diagnostics are not performed, a serious disease that is the cause of this pain may be missed. Then the prognosis may be extremely unfavorable.

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