Suffering from abdominal pain can be confusing, mainly because there are many potential causes.

However, understanding the location of your abdominal pain can help you and your doctor narrow down the possible diagnosis and provide the most appropriate treatment.

Location of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can occur anywhere below the chest and above the groin. It can be divided into four quadrants or sections:.

Upper Right Quadrant

Pain in the upper right quadrant (URQ) of the abdomen can indicate several issues such as:.

Gallbladder disease – inflammation or gallstones
Liver disease – hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver abscess
Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas
Duodenal Ulcer

Upper Left Quadrant

Pain in the upper left quadrant (ULQ) of the abdomen can indicate several issues such as:.

Spleen disease or enlargement
Stomach disease – inflammation or peptic ulcer
Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas

Lower Right Quadrant

Pain in the lower right quadrant (LRQ) of the abdomen can indicate several issues such as:.

Appendicitis – inflammation of the appendix
Bladder/kidney infection – commonly occurs in women
Endometriosis – occurs in women and affects the reproductive organs
Inguinal hernia – a bulging protrusion in the lower right abdomen

Lower Left Quadrant

Pain in the lower left quadrant (LLQ) of the abdomen can indicate several issues such as:.

Diverticulitis – inflammation of the small pouches that develop along the colon
Ovarian cysts – occurs in women and affects the reproductive organs
Ulcerative Colitis – inflammation of the colon

Generalized Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain that is not localized can indicate:.

Gastroenteritis – inflammation of the stomach and/or intestine usually from viral or bacterial infections
Food poisoning
Constipation – can cause generalized abdominal pain and discomfort
Indigestion – acid reflux or stomach upset

Diagnosing Abdominal Pain

To accurately diagnose the cause of abdominal pain, doctors use an array of diagnostic tools and procedures. The diagnostic tests include:.

Blood tests, including complete blood count, blood chemistry tests and liver function tests
Diagnostic imaging – X-rays, CT scan, ultrasound or MRI
Endoscopy- visual examination of the digestive tract, using a specialized scope that is inserted via the mouth or rectum
Colonoscopy – endoscopic examination of the colon and rectum to detect diseases or abnormalities
Stool tests – checking for inflammation or infections in the digestive tract

When to Seek Medical Attention

It is essential to seek medical attention if the abdominal pain is severe, and it lasts for more than a few days. Seek immediate medical help if:.

The pain is sudden and severe
The pain is accompanied by vomiting or nausea
The pain is accompanied by high fever and chill
The pain is accompanied by blood in your vomit or stool
The pain is accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain
The pain is persistent, and there are no signs of improvement after few hours

Conclusion

There are various causes of abdominal pain, which makes it challenging to diagnose. However, physicians use the location of the pain as a crucial tool to diagnose the cause of the pain.

The diagnostic methods used include blood tests, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and stool tests, amongst others. It is crucial to seek medical attention if the pain is severe or lasts for a prolonged period.