What is the most common cause of abdominal pain in the elderly?
In some studies, biliary tract disease is the most common diagnosis among elderly patients presenting with abdominal pain. Approximately 30-50% of patients older than 65 years have gallstones. The mortality rate of elderly patients diagnosed with cholecystitis is approximately 10%.
What are common considerations regarding abdominal pain in geriatric patients?
In general, the approach to abdominal pain in geriatric patients requires careful consideration of the physiologic changes associated with aging, differences in pain perception, and the confounding effects of medical comorbidities and polypharmacy.
What are the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain?
Selected Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain
| Pain location | Possible diagnoses |
|---|---|
| Left lower quadrant | Colonic: colitis, diverticulitis, IBD, IBS |
| Gynecologic: ectopic pregnancy, fibroids, ovarian mass, torsion, PID | |
| Renal: nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis | |
| Any location | Abdominal wall: herpes zoster, muscle strain, hernia |
What causes lower abdominal pain in postmenopausal females?
What can cause cramps after menopause? Many people experience pelvic cramps as part of their menstrual period. But cramping may still occur after menopause and can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, constipation, or ovarian or uterine cancers.
What causes excruciating lower abdominal pain?
Lower abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It can be a symptom of minor or major digestive system conditions such as gas, indigestion, constipation, colitis, diverticular disease, or appendicitis. Gynecologic conditions such as menstrual cramps or pregnancy may also be causes, as can urinary tract infections.
How is acute abdomen diagnosed?
Stable patients presenting to A&E (accident and emergency department) or ER (emergency room) with severe abdominal pain will almost always have an abdominal x-ray and/or a CT scan. These tests can provide a differential diagnosis between simple and complex pathologies.
How might a patient describe visceral pain?
Visceral pain originates in the organs of the chest, belly, or pelvis. You might describe it as a dull ache, but other ways to describe it include: Gnawing. Twisting. Colicky.
What is the most likely diagnosis for abdominal pain?
Abdominal Pain Conditions. Some of the most common causes of abdominal pain are appendicitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstruction.
