Patterns Of Abdo Pain (By Disease/organ)

Front 1

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Back 1

1. Dull or burning pain in epigastrium

2. Can relieved by antacids or food.

3. Typically episodic

4. Can awake from sleep

5. Can't differentiate duodenal and gastric ulceration clinically.

6. Epigastric pain related to meals but without ulceration is called functional dyspepsia.

Front 2

Pancreatic Pain

Back 2

1. Steady epigastric pain

2. Partly relieved by sitting up and leaning forwards.

3. Often radiation to back

4. Vomiting is common.

Front 3

Biliary Pain

Back 3

1. RARELY colicky

2. Usually severe, constant pain lasting hours.

3. Often association with nausea and vomiting.

4. Cystic duct obstruction often causes epigastric pain

5. Check history of similar pain.

6. Usually unpredictable but can follow fatty meal.

7. If cholecystitis develops, pain usually shifts to RUQ, becoming more severe.

Front 4

Renal Colic

Back 4

1. Colicky pain superimposed on background of constant pain in renal angle.

2. Often radiates to groin.

3. Can be very severe.

Front 5

Bowel Obstruction

Back 5

1. Colicky pain

2. Small bowel obstruction tends to cause more frequent colicky pain (approx. 2-3 minutes)

3. Large bowel obstruction less frequent (10-15 minutes)

4. Periumbilical pain suggest small bowel obstruction.

5. Colicky pain can occur anywhere in abdomen.