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Abdominal Pain - Male
DEFINITION
- Pain or discomfort located between the bottom of the rib cage and the groin crease
General Information
- There are multiple causes of abdominal pain.
- Abdominal pain in the elderly carries with it a higher risk of serious illness.
Top Causes of Abdominal Pain in Men Under 50 Years of Age
- Appendicitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Nonspecific abdominal pain
- Peptic ulcer disease
Top Causes of Abdominal Pain in Individuals Over 50 Years of Age
- Appendicitis
- Bowel obstruction
- Diverticulitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Pancreatitis
- Peptic ulcer disease
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR
Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If
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- Passed out (fainted)
- Very weak (can't stand)
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Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
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- You feel weak or very sick
- Severe pain
- Constant abdominal pain for more than 2 hours
- Vomiting blood or black (coffee-grounds)
- Vomiting bile (bright yellow or green)
- Vomiting and abdomen looks much more swollen than usual
- Blood in bowel movements (black/tarry or red)
- Recent injury or blow to the abdomen
- Fever of 103° F (39.4° C) or higher
- Fever of 100.5° F (38.1° C) or higher and you:
- Are over 60 years of age OR
- Have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy) OR
- Are bedridden (e.g., nursing home patient, stroke, chronic illness, recovering from surgery)
- Whites of the eyes have turned yellow (jaundice)
- Unable to urinate and your bladder feels very full
- Pain in scrotum or testicle.
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Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
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- You think you need to be seen
- Mild pain comes and goes (cramps), but lasts greater than 24 hours
- Over 60 years old
- Blood in urine
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Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
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- You have other questions or concerns
- Abdominal pains are a recurrent problem
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Self Care at Home If
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- Mild abdominal pain and you don't think you need to be seen
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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD ABDOMINAL PAIN
- Reassurance: A mild stomachache can be caused by indigestion, gas pains or overeating. Sometimes a stomachache signals the onset of a vomiting illness due to a viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu").
- Rest: Lie down and rest until you feel better.
- Fluids: Sip clear fluids only (e.g., water, flat soft drinks or 1/2 strength fruit juice) until the pain has been gone for over 2 hours. Then slowly return to a regular diet.
- Diet:
- Slowly advance diet from clear liquids to a bland diet
- Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages
- Avoid greasy or fatty foods.
- Pass A BM: Sit on the toilet and try to pass a bowel movement (BM). Do not strain. This may relieve pain if it is due to constipation or impending diarrhea.
- Avoid Medicines: Any drug could irritate the stomach lining and make the pain worse, especially an anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Do not take any pain medicines, fever medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- Expected Course: With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or goes away within 2 hours. With viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"), belly cramps may precede each bout of vomiting or diarrhea and may last 2-3 days. With serious causes (such as appendicitis) the pain becomes constant and more severe.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Abdominal pain is constant and present for more than 2 hours
- Abdominal pains come and go, and are present for more than 24 hours
- You become worse
And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Author and Senior Reviewer: David A. Thompson, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 9/21/2007
Last Revised: 11/11/2006
Content Set: Adult HouseCalls Online
Portions Copyright 2000-2007 Self Care Decisions LLC; Copyright LMS, Inc.
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