Questions about Pain in the Abdomen 357
If your pain does not fit one of the kinds described on the
previous pages, these questions may help to learn more
about it.
What is the pain like? Is it sharp and severe—or dull, achy,
and not so bad? Does it come and go, or is it constant?
Questions
about Pain
in the
Abdomen
• Terrible pain that comes and goes could be from a kidney
stone. Severe grabbing, clenching, or cramping pain could
be from an intestinal problem.
• Sharp, severe pain, especially just in one place, could be
appendicitis or a pregnancy outside the womb in the tube.
How long has the pain lasted?
• Sudden, severe pain that does not get better is probably
serious. It could be from a pregnancy in the tube,
appendicitis or other gut problems, something wrong with
the ovary, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• Pain that lasts for many days or weeks, especially if it is
not severe, may be caused by scars from an old infection,
indigestion, or nerves. It may be possible to treat this
at home.
Does the pain affect your hunger?
• If you have pain in the abdomen and you
DO not want to eat anything, you may
have a serious infection in your intestines,
or appendicitis.
Yuni, go to the clinic
today to see about this
pain you are having. It
will only get worse.
• If you have pain and you do feel like
eating, you probably do not have one of
these problems.
For more information on pain in the lower
abdomen, see Where There Is No Doctor or
another general medical book.
A woman who walks with
pain today could die from
it tomorrow. Get help early
if you are not sure.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012