Abdominal pain in men
introduction
Typically the symptoms are "Abdominal pain“Associated with the female gender. Although less common, lower abdominal pain occurs in men as well. As abdominal or lower abdominal pain, discomfort in the region under the navel or in the small pelvis. The causes are varied and can include other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, Flatulence, Circulatory problems, bloody stool or urine accompanied. Also signs of inflammation in the form of Swelling or Redness occur in connection with certain causes.
Changes in bowel habits and when urinating should be the reason for further investigation.
The organs located in the pelvis are a common cause of abdominal discomfort. These include parts of the digestive tract and the urinary system. In addition to an inguinal hernia or acute appendicitis, urinary tract infections or stones in the urinary tract system cause unpleasant pain. The same applies to protuberances in the intestinal wall and chronic and acute intestinal inflammation.
In any case, the suspicion of a tumor should be safely excluded. Diseases of the genital organs are also linked to abdominal pain. They affect the prostate, testicles, or epididymis.
Read more on the topic: Sperm ducts swollen - what's behind it?
The anamnesis plays an important role in clarifying the abdominal pain. In addition to the course of the complaints and other symptoms, the nature of the pain in particular should be precisely described:
- Is the pain easy to localize?
- Does it radiate to other regions?
- Is it unilateral or bilateral?
- Is it colic or is it persistent pain?
- Is it dull or piercing?
Such properties provide important information for clarifying the cause. A clinical examination, laboratory controls and diagnostic procedures adapted to the symptoms complement the investigation of the cause.
As a general rule, a doctor should be consulted if you have abdominal pain. For this purpose, a urologist, as well as the family doctor and, if there is a high urgency, the emergency department in the hospital can be considered.
diagnosis
In diagnostics, the exact anamnesis with regard to the course of the disease, the accompanying symptoms and the character of the pain play an important role. Since pain is not always pain, this is what it is exact properties to inquire, which have already been listed above.
The clinical examination provides the doctor with further valuable information. Regardless of the respective symptoms, a Ultrasound examination provide a first impression of the abdominal and genital organs as an imaging procedure. In this way, among other things, a acute appendicitis, Fluid build-up and thickened intestinal or bladder walls determine.
Other diagnostic tools are Blood tests, Trade-offs, Examination of stool and urine samples, Bladder and colonoscopies such as special urological examination methods. A laparoscopy is also an option in some cases. It can serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent at the same time.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain is rarely the only symptom and should be taken seriously. The pains differ according to their Concomitant symptoms, but also based on theirs Character and the Duration of occurrence.
In some cases the symptoms persist for a long time, remain at a similar level, or increase. Chronic pain in men is less common observed than in women. In other cases they come on suddenly with great violence. One speaks of acute pain.
Accompanying symptoms can Vomit, nausea and diarrhea be. Also fever occurs frequently. Becomes Blood in your urine or stool observed, this should be reported to the doctor.
Depending on the cause, you can Protrusions of the skin can be felt. This is possible, for example, with an inguinal hernia.
Is it a disease of the external genital organs, are Signs of inflammation how warming, swelling, Pressure sensitivity and Redness possible symptoms. Furthermore can Discharge from the glans an indication of an inflammatory process of the urethra be.
Right abdominal pain
Abdominal pain in the right lower abdomen may indicate acute appendicitis. The belly is clear pressure painful and feels firmer. In addition, there are symptoms such as nausea, Vomit and fever on. Also diarrhea or constipation occur. Localized right-sided abdominal pain can also be observed in other bowel diseases.
At Crohn's disease is a inflammatory bowel diseasewhose most common pain localization is the right lower abdomen. The disease affects all parts of the digestive tract and often leads to the formation of ulcers (Ulcers). In addition to pain, there is usually a fever.
Abdominal pain in the flank area can result Testicular pain that radiate from the scrotum into the groin. Causal come next to one direct violence from the outside, pathological changes in the testicle itself.
This includes the so-called Hydrocele, a collection of fluid made up of blood and lymph that causes the testicle to swell.
Furthermore, a right-sided Inguinal hernia Cause abdominal pain with a pronounced feeling of pressure.
Please also read our page Right lower abdominal pain What do I have?
Abdominal pain on the left
The so-called "Left side appendicitis“Causes severe pain in the left lower abdomen and should not be confused with acute appendicitis. It is the Inflammation of an ulcer in the bowel wall (Diverticulitis), which is mostly located in the last section of the colon. They are also known as Sigmoid diverticulitis.
Similar to acute appendicitis, accompanying symptoms such as fever, Vomit and diarrhea such as constipation observed.
At Ulcerative colitis the left lower abdomen is the most common pain localization. Inflammatory bowel disease usually begins in the rectum. As a result, the disease affects the superficial layers of the colon and causes bloody, slimy diarrhea. Affected mostly feel less powerful, to have fever and complain about constant urge to defecate.
Read more about here Ulcerative colitis.
Colon Tumors occur most often in the area of the sigmoid (towards the end of the intestine) and the rectum (rectum) and only cause in advanced stages Symptoms. If the tumor obstructs a section of the intestine, it is accompanied by sudden severe pain that requires immediate action.
Left-sided groin pain can be on a Inguinal hernia are based. A hernia in the groin or intestines can also occur slight pressure pain and one push-away bulge which is provoked by coughing. If the break is pinched, sudden, strong ones occur Pain and Vomit on. A doctor should be consulted immediately.
Abdominal pain in the middle
Pain that cannot be clearly localized occurs when Irritable bowel syndrome on. Often are diffuse, dull abdominal pain not the only symptom. Flatulence, constipation and diarrhea usually occur at the same time.
Read more about the typical ones here Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
A acute intestinal inflammation, a so-called enteritis, causes diffuse, cramp-like abdominal pain. Diarrhea, vomiting and fever are typical accompanying symptoms. Should the intestinal complaints persist over a longer period of time despite therapeutic measures chronic intestinal inflammation such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are excluded.
A Prostatitis is a Inflammation of the prostatethat can cause abdominal pain as well as lower back pain. The acute form with a fever occurs much less often than that chronic prostatitis. Typical symptoms are Difficulty urinating, radiating pain in the back, pelvis, penis and testicles such as Erection problems.
The benign prostatic hyperplasia describes a harmless enlargement of the organ and is also associated with problems with urination. As the hyperplasia increases, the ureter is squeezed off so that a residual amount of urine remains in the bladder. As a result increased need to urinate and a higher risk for Urinary tract infections. Characteristic complaints are Burning sensation when urinating, cramps and Abdominal pain, dark, sometimes bloody urine and the constant urge going to the bathroom.
Symptomatic Stones in the ureter or bladder area cause sharp pain in the abdomen. Colic-like pain occurs with an acute one Urinary flow disorder on. This is usually triggered by stones that interrupt the normal flow of urine.
Read more on the subject here Ureteral stones.
Prostate cancer and Bladder tumors should always be excluded in case of abdominal pain, problems urinating and bloody urine.
Abdominal pain while exercising
To step in connection with sport Abdominal pain can have various causes. Physical stress goes with increased activity of the Abdominal muscles hand in hand. As a result, there is increased pressure inside the abdomen, which particularly affects the Groin region exercises. The own weight and the movement of the internal organs contribute to this.
If the supporting structure of muscles and connective tissue gives way as a result of increased pressure, what is known as a Breach gatewhich mostly affects the groin region. A sack made of peritoneum, which is usually filled with intestinal parts, can now slide into the gap that has arisen Inguinal hernia (Inguinal hernia). It becomes particularly critical when the Pinch intestinal parts and adequate blood flow is no longer ensured.
A acute inguinal hernia go with sudden pain and Vomit hand in hand. In other cases, hernias persist for a long time and cause only mild discomfort.
Groin pain associated with exercise does not always indicate a hernia. In connection with certain sports such as football, hockey or tennis, the back wall of the inguinal canal can bulge forward. One speaks of a "soft groin“Which poses an increased risk of an inguinal hernia.
Jerky movements during sport can trigger severe pain as part of a so-called Testicular torsion be. The rotation of the testes and epididymis around the spermatic cord is always one emergencybecause the blood supply is no longer guaranteed.
The increasing movement of the internal organs among each other can exacerbate existing pain or inflammation in the digestive tract.
Abdominal pain when coughing
When you cough, the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm briefly tighten. As a result, the pressure inside the abdomen increases. Connective tissue and muscles stabilize the abdomen to the outside and can counteract the increased pressure in a stabilizing way in most cases.
However, the abdominal wall is not equally stable in all places. There are some Weak points, especially in the groin region.
Heavy coughing can cause you Inguinal hernia cause. A part of the abdominal wall turns inside out through the resulting hernia. The hernial sac is usually filled with intestines. If this jams, it is urgent emergencybecause the intestine is no longer supplied with sufficient blood.
If the pressure in the abdomen increases when coughing, this can lead to increased contact between the digestive organs. Existing inflammations or complaints are exacerbated in this way.
Abdominal pain with diarrhea and gas
Abdominal pain with diarrhea and flatulence suggest a genesis within the Gastrointestinal tract down. Causes acute enteritis or intestinal inflammation cramping abdominal pain. It is triggered by bacteria or viruses and can be accompanied by vomiting and fever.
Also at Food intolerance, Lactose intolerance and Fructose intolerance such as chronic intestinal inflammation (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) diarrhea can be observed.
Characteristic symptoms of a Irritable bowel syndrome are also flatulence and diarrhea as well as abdominal pain. Protrusions of the colon wall, so-called Diverticulum, cause similar symptoms.
What to do?
Unspecific abdominal pain should be clarified by a doctor. The more acute and violent these are, the faster the investigation should take place. There are also accompanying symptoms such as fever, Vomit, diarrhea and Blood in your stool or urine on, is quick action important. Since the situation can be acutely life-threatening, such symptoms should be taken seriously.
Depending on the cause, the attending physician introduces different diagnostic means. Is the cause in the Look for gastrointestinal tract, in addition to the medical history and clinical examination Laboratory values, Ultrasonic, Examination of stool samples and Colonoscopies for use.
If, on the other hand, it is a urological problem, stand Urine tests, Ultrasonic, Cystoscopy and other urological examination methods are available.
For harmless causes such as gastrointestinal infections, brief digestive problems or muscular tension, various home remedies help relieve symptoms.
One guides the painful region warmth too, this has a relaxing and antispasmodic effect. Effective means are Hot water bottles, drink from tea and Relaxation baths. Certain types of tea containing fennel, anise and / or caraway seeds soothe the mucous membrane and reduce nausea.
With intestinal inflammation should be sufficient Fluid and electrolyte supply be respected. Difficult-to-digest foods with a high acid and fat content should be avoided during this time. If drinks are well tolerated, you can start with a light diet. Rusks, boiled potatoes and bananas with oat flakes are particularly good for this.
For cramp-like pain, a careful massage of the affected abdominal region contribute to relief.
Read more about here Home remedies for stomach ache.
The symptoms cannot always be traced back to a physical cause. As part of psychologically stressful situations physical symptoms are common. Psychological counseling or behavioral therapy can be helpful in this case.
Which doctor?
To clarify unspecific, slowly increasing pelvic pain, the treating person can first Family doctor or urologist be asked for advice. It is about acute, severe pain should immediately the emergency department a nearby hospital.
Signs of cancer
Serious signs of abdominal pain are next palpable space demands or Indurations, Blood in your stool or urine and Changes in bowel movements or urination.
Should continue to unwanted weight loss, night sweats and fever be respected.