Burning in the lower abdomen - these are the causes

definition

The lower abdomen describes a rough anatomical region of the body that is located from the navel down. Some genital organs, organs of the urinary tract and the digestive tract are located in the lower abdomen. Burning pain is a very common symptom.

The burning sensation can indicate many underlying diseases, but is primarily associated with inflammatory processes in the abdominal organs. Most of these causes are harmless and do not require treatment. More rarely, however, there can also be diseases behind it, which can sometimes take on life-threatening courses. A doctor should also be consulted if the burning sensation is constant or very intense, accompanied by other symptoms of illness, decreased performance and feelings of weakness.

causes

Inflammation of the digestive tract comes first when there are complaints of the lower abdomen. They are one of the most common causes of illness and are usually harmless. The classic gastrointestinal flu is not triggered by influenza pathogens, but by intestinal germs such as the norovirus or E.coli bacteria. Some pathogens cause more infections in the warm months and others in the cold months, which is why there are seasonal fluctuations in the number of infections.

Appendicitis is also a common cause of burning in the lower abdomen. The stomach can be cramped and painful. The symptoms can be aggravated especially by pressure in the right lower abdomen. Other types of bowel inflammation can trigger the burning sensation in the lower abdomen as well. Diverticulitis, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be considered for this. Less often, there can be a hernia behind the pain of the intestine. A part of the intestine breaks through the abdominal wall and forms a hernial sac. As a result, the bowel can become trapped, which can lead to serious complications.

The sexual organs in men and women should not be neglected if there is a burning sensation in the lower abdomen. Burning pain is not uncommon, especially in women. Whether during your period, at the beginning of a pregnancy or when giving birth, the pain can come from the uterus. Pain in the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes can occur less frequently in women outside of pregnancy.

In men, on the other hand, diseases of the testicles, such as the torsion of the hook, can make themselves felt as a burning sensation in the lower abdomen.

More rarely, diseases of the lower urinary tract are behind the burning sensation. For example, inflammation of the urethra or the urinary bladder can also cause a burning sensation. Ureteral stones can also cause severe pain in the urinary tract.

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diagnosis

The most important step in finding the diagnosis is the detailed inquiry of the complaints, accompanying circumstances and other symptoms. In this way, suspicious diagnoses can often be made, which can be further diagnosed in the lower abdomen with the help of an ultrasound examination.Ultrasound can detect inflammatory changes in the intestine, tumors, blockages caused by stones, pregnancies and gross changes in the tissue.

In the case of appendicitis and other diseases with specific symptoms, further diagnostic procedures are rarely necessary in addition to the clinical examination. Other abnormalities can now be assessed more closely with the help of CT and MRI examinations. However, if there are symptoms of the large intestine, an endoscopic examination can follow. A camera is inserted through the anus under anesthesia, with which the intestinal mucosa can be examined from the inside.

Concomitant symptoms

In addition to the burning sensation in the lower abdomen, there is often pain. These can be convulsive, colicky, dull, stabbing and pulling. The particular type of pain can provide important clues as to which organs may be involved.

Inflammation of the intestines often continues to lead to diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, headache and body aches. In the case of very advanced inflammation, bloody, slimy diarrhea can continue to occur. Symptoms of the female sexual organs can also lead to cramps in the lower abdomen with vaginal spotting. This is a very serious symptom, especially during pregnancy.

Pulling in the lower abdomen

A typical pulling in the lower abdomen is described above all in symptoms of the sexual organs of men and women. Typically menstrual cramps are indicated with pulling pain. Pain during pregnancy, caused by the child's growth or pending labor, often has a pulling character.

In men, too, diseases of the testicles are described as pulling. The testicular torsion is characterized by a drawing and burning pain in the lower abdomen.

You can find more information on this topic here: Testicular torsion

Burning in the back

Even if there is also back pain, the pelvic pain is usually not a danger. However, some rare diseases are typically accompanied by a burning sensation in the lower abdomen and pain in the back.

Inflammation of the urinary tract can lead to increased kidney pelvic infections after a long period of time without treatment. In addition to stomach and back pain, this leads to a considerable feeling of illness with a high fever. Typically, severe pain can be provoked by lightly tapping the flank. More rarely, the pancreas can be behind it. If it is inflamed, stomach pains can occur, which radiate into the back in a belt shape. Such an inflammation can occur with gallstone disease. The backflow of bile into the pancreas causes the pancreas to become inflamed.

You might also be interested in: Symptoms of inflammation of the pancreas

treatment

Treatment of burning in the lower abdomen must be carried out depending on the cause. Symptomatic pain medication can be taken in the event of severe symptoms. In most cases, this also lowers the fever and inhibits inflammation, which is why it helps the body fight the disease.

Conventional gastrointestinal flu usually does not require further treatment because the body fights it on its own. Only in the case of severe diarrhea should the body's water balance be considered. Stubborn bacterial infections may have to be treated with antibiotics. In the case of severe appendicitis or diverticulitis, the inflamed sections of the intestine may have to be surgically removed if drug cure is not possible.

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen that develops in the uterus does not need treatment in most cases. Here, too, hot water bottles or pain medication in the case of severe pain can make menstrual periods more bearable.

Duration

The duration of the burning depends on the cause of the discomfort. Gastrointestinal flu can be cured within a few days. Even stubborn infections should subside after starting treatment after 3-7 days.

If the symptoms persist for a long time, a doctor must be consulted to rule out more serious illnesses. Pain in the lower abdomen caused by cramps in the uterus often subsides within a few hours. In the case of diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, however, a prompt healing is not to be expected. These are rare chronic diseases that can be controlled with drugs, but not cured.

During pregnancy

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen during pregnancy is not atypical, but often harmless. Here, too, gastrointestinal infections or simple stomach upsets are in the foreground, which do not require treatment. At the end of the pregnancy, however, they can be the first signs of the onset of labor.

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen during pregnancy is only very rarely a signal for an impending abortion. In order to rule out this rare complication, a precautionary ultrasound examination is carried out if there are pelvic complaints.