The abdominal cavity houses a number of organs; therefore lower abdominal pain is a commonly occurring condition. Nevertheless, abdominal pain is mostly benign in nature and is self-limited and nothing to worry about.

Digestive system related abdominal pain is gastro intestinal in nature. Cramps and spasms, with or without diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and fever along with abdominal pain and discomfort are digestive system related. Abdominal pain of gastritis is accompanied by bloating and wind. Constipation also causes abdominal pain. Ulcers cause stomach pain, especially after consuming sour and spicy food. Tea and coffee on an empty stomach or long intervals between meals cause abdominal pain indicating ulcers.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome or PMS includes lower abdominal pain and cramps. In fact PMS also causes lower back pain. Heating pads and rest, and also pain medication may be needed to alleviate the suffering of PMS.

Lower abdominal pains may also be pregnancy related. In the early stages of pregnancy there is implantation cramping and also round ligament pain. Chronic pregnancy constipation, pregnancy dehydration and unspecified aches and pains are also pregnancy related. Threatened miscarriages, incomplete miscarriages and complete miscarriages also cause lower abdominal pain. Ectopic pregnancies also cause pains in the lower abdominal region.

Gallbladder ailments cause abdominal pain. After removal of the gall bladder, over-eating and indulgence may cause abdominal pain. Similarly liver ailments including all kinds of hepatitis cause abdominal pain. One kind of abdominal pain associated with the liver, is a bilious attack. This generally happens in cases of over-eating or when the sufferer consumes food that is too rich and difficult to digest.

Urinary tract disorders cause lower abdominal pain. In this case, the patient will also experience burning and pain while urinating. The genital area will be painful and sore and moving around increases the soreness.

Appendicitis or inflammation of the appendix causes severe lower abdominal pain and tenderness on the right side. It is accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting.

Referred pains are those that cause abdominal pain but are really related to ailments of other organs located in the back, like the kidney, or in the thoriac cavity like the lungs.  Kidney pain is severe and is mainly felt as low back pain. However, it is not uncommon for kidney pain to radiate and be felt as abdominal pain.

Cardiac pain may also be felt in the abdominal region. Pulmonary conditions such as pneumonia and lung ailments may manifest as lower abdominal pain too. Cancers of various organs can cause lower abdominal pain too.

Muscular strains and sprains related to overexertion and tiredness may radiate into the abdominal area. For example, spraining the lower back may cause lower abdominal pain if the muscles and ligaments that are injured also extend into the abdomen.

Stress and tension, especially test anxiety is commonly manifested as stomach pains accompanied by loss of hunger and retching.

Stomach infections, stomach flu and other bacterial and viral conditions will also cause pain in the abdomen.

Severe lower back pain sometimes masks other disorders of the intra-abdominal area. For example, kidney pain may cause severe lower back pain. The surface of the back around the kidneys will feel tender and sore to the touch and the patient will have other symptoms such as pain while urinating, fever and chills and even blood in the urine. “Kidney Punch” is the severe pain that is caused by accident or injury to the kidney. Severe lower back pain can also result from back ailments, accidents and injuries. Severe lower back pain in young people is usually caused by sports injuries and “horsing around”.

Severe lower back pain may also indicate damage or degeneration of the musculoskeletal system. This includes fractures due to osteoporosis. Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, degeneration of the discs, or herniated discs and slipped disc conditions and sciatica also cause severe back pain. Surgery is recommended if the back problem becomes progressively worse causing weakness in the legs, incontinence of the bladder or bowels and even immobilization.

Severe upper back pain can be the result of muscular irritation or dysfunction of the joints due to injury or accident. Whiplash is an example of an accident injury. Another cause could be a herniated disc in the upper back region. Spondylitis occurs due to pressure of one of the ribs on a nerve. Along with severe pain, the sufferer will experience tingling and numbness radiating into the arms and traveling down to the fingers. Treatment options include traction of the neck. Deteriorating conditions may require surgery. Spinal problems in the lower back may cause severe pain in the upper back.

Cardiac pains sometimes manifest as severe upper back pain. Cardiac pain may radiate from the front to the back and also to the left shoulder and down the left arm. The pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, choking and cold sweats.

Severe upper back pain could indicate pulmonary problems. These include aneurysms, tuberculosis, pneumonia and other lung conditions. Ailments of other organs in the thoriac cavity like the gall bladder, liver, pancreas and appendix can cause severe upper back pain.

Posterior pelvic pain during pregnancy can sometimes be quite severe. It may occur on the right, the left or on both sides simultaneously and in the thighs and upper legs. Morning stiffness is a side effect of this pain. The pain does not ease with rest. Posterior pelvic pregnancy pain is usually caused by overexertion resulting from stair climbing, lifting eavy objects, rolling in bed, lifting, twisting, bending walking or running.

Severe back pain along with pregnancy symptoms may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain and brownish vaginal discharge.

Severe back pain during pregnancy could indicate a miscarriage. However, miscarriages will be accompanied by one or more other symptoms, like heavy bleeding, nausea and vomiting, and also stomach cramps. Severe pain due to back labor is symptomatic of a difficult delivery due to the baby being face up.

Pregnancy is a period fraught with aches and pains. Nevertheless pregnancy pains are signals of progressing pregnancy.

Early pregnancy pains

Implantation cramping:  As early as 7 days after ovulation lower abdominal cramping and pain akin to PMS may be felt. It signals ovum implantation.

Round Ligament Pain: As the uterus expands to accommodate the progressing pregnancy. It starts in the first trimester and continues to the very end. Surprisingly, a form of it is felt even after delivery as the uterus regains its size.

Hormonal Activity:  Increased hormonal activity to prepare the uterus for pregnancy causes pains.

Sexual Activity:  Sexual activity during pregnancy is safe but it can cause some pregnancy pains.

Uterine Expansion: Women often worry that pregnancy pains are dire signs. However, since the entire uterus area gets rearranged to make place for growing baby, pregnancy pains are no cause for worry.

Pregnancy Dehydration: Morning sickness and frequent urination are culprits that rob the body of water causing cramping and pains in the lower abdomen and the lower back. Drinking the required 8 glasses of water and keeping the body hydrated will ease the symptoms.

Mid Pregnancy pains
Round Ligament Pain: Trimester 2 of the pregnancy brings with it an increase in round ligament pain. The round ligaments are a set of ligaments located in the lower part of the belly and support the uterus. They expand to create space for the growing fetus.

Mild heat applied to lower abdominal area and the lower back is a good home remedy to lessen lower abdominal and lower back pain. However, the remedy should only be used in case of extreme discomfort. Care must be taken to ensure mild warmth. Extreme heat and frequent application may cause pregnancy complications.

Adequate rest is very important during pregnancy. Intake of fiber must be increased to prevent constipation and avoid pregnancy related hemorrhoids.

Later Pregnancy Pains

Swellings and Edema: Aching feet and edema are common due to pregnancy fluid build up.  Elevate legs, rest frequently for short periods especially at mid day. A good remedy to alleviate feet pain is to stand in cool shallow water. At night sleep with feet elevated.

Breast Pain: During pregnancy breast tenderness develops as a result of hormonal changes that will encourage lactation.

Back pain: Lower back pain becomes more intense due to your own weight, plus the weight of the baby. Pregnancy will also cause weakening, stretching and slackening of abdominal muscles resulting in low back pain.
Varicose veins and Leg Cramps: Painful cramps in the legs and also possible varicose veins are pregnancy related conditions. Stretching exercises and gentle massage can bring relief.
Pelvic Pressure:  Blood begins pooling in pelvic area in preparation of delivery increasing pressure in pelvic region, causing pain. Relief can be sought by applying warm and cold compresses and doing kegel exercises.
Constipation and Abdominal Bloating: Constipation pain intensifies due to added pressure of uterus and baby on rectum. Slow processing of food causes wind and gas in the stomach.

At conception the fertilized ovum implants itself to the uterine wall where it receives its blood supply and also has ample room to develop and grow. However, nearly 1% of pregnancies are of an ectopic nature with the vast majority of embryos selecting the fallopian tubes.  Other places where the ovum may implant itself include the cervix, ovaries or even the abdomen. An ectopic pregnancy may develop into a medical emergency. If left untreated, it could cause tissue scarring leading to infertility; it may cause rupture of the fallopian tubes if it is of the tubal kind; and the rupture of the tube can cause either infertility or even death.

An ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube becomes an irritant to the tube and is discharged as an unsuccessful pregnancy. If this condition occurs early in the pregnancy, the woman may not even realize that she had conceived.

Since ectopic pregnancies normally terminate themselves, they are not a cause for concern except in cases where they remain undetected. Early pregnancy ultra sound enables early diagnosis. This has resulted in reduction in the number of fatalities occurring due to ectopic pregnancies. However where diagnostic facilities are not easily available and the dependence is on untrained mid-wives, the threat is greater.

The risk factors favoring ectopic pregnancy occurs include smoking, a previous ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, tubal surgery and ligation. Current IUD use and having multiple sexual partners seem to increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies. Advancing age is yet another factor that increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancies are symptomatic. The early warning signs of ectopic pregnancies are easy to overlook therefore an undetected ectopic pregnancy runs the risk of turning into a medical emergency. The early warning signs include:

Pain and inflammation in the lower abdomen- Lower abdominal pain may be felt as a strong stomach cramp that is difficult to bear because there seems to be no release from it despite drastic efforts to release it.

Pain while urinating is another symptom of ectopic pregnancy. However, this kind of condition can be mistaken for thrush or urinary tract infection.

Pain and discomfort in the abdominal area of an unspecified nature may be mistaken for gas and indigestion and is therefore ignored.

Since an ectopic pregnancy is a failing pregnancy, and may not even have been detected, vaginal bleeding is taken for granted to be a menstruation. Generally the accompanying cramps and bleeding are mild enough to be overlooked.

Pain accompanying bowel movement is attributed to hemmoroidal pain or constipation.

However, more severe symptoms usually alert the doctor to the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy. These include:

Onset of lower back pain, abdominal pain and pain in the pelvic region.
Shoulder pain of an unexplained nature.
Development of cramps and tenderness on one side of the pelvis.
The pain starts all of a sudden and keeps getting worse.

Ectopic pregnancies mimic conditions of appendicitis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Kidney back pain, gastrointestinal disorders and other gynecological problems.

When conception takes place, the fertilized ovum travels to its destination and implants itself into the uterine wall. Here the embryo receives its blood supply and it has ample room to develop and grow. However, all pregnancies are not normal. It has been found that nearly 1% of pregnancies are of an ectopic nature. Of these ectopic pregnancies, the vast majority is the kind that is called “tubal” because the embryo implants itself in the fallopian tubes.  Other places where the ovum may implant itself include the cervix, ovaries or even the abdomen. The moment the ovum becomes implanted, it needs a blood supply. That is when the problem comes to the fore. An ectopic pregnancy is considered to be a medical emergency. If left untreated, it could cause tissue scarring leading to infertility; it may cause rupture of the fallopian tubes if it is of the tubal kind; and the rupture of the tube can cause either infertility or even death.

In an ectopic pregnancy the embryo fails to reach the uterine lining where it is supposed to make a home. Instead it implants in the fallopian tube. The tube finds it an irritant and expels it, thus the fertilized ovum is aborted. The tubes in such cases do not become inflamed due to this expulsion. If this condition occurs early in the pregnancy, the woman may not even realize that she had conceived. She may just regard it as a normal menstrual discharge.

Sometimes the pregnancy is confirmed, but the fallopian tube aborts the embryo before it can become deeply implanted. This discharge is also not alarming and is accepted as a regular miscarriage. Strangely enough, the pain that the ectopic pregnancy may cause is hardly ever due to dislodging of the embryo. It is generally due to the increase in hormonal activity that accompanies such a condition.

Since ectopic pregnancies normally terminate themselves, they are not a cause for concern. However, they do become a source for concern and a threat when they are not diagnosed in time. In such cases, severe damage may be caused leading to near fatal or fatal conditions.

Early ultra sound ensures that the pregnancy is normal and there is no fear of an ectopic condition. Ultra sound has reduced the number of fatalities occurring due to late diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies. However in places where diagnostic facilities are not easily available and the dependence is on untrained mid-wives, the threat to women of child-bearing years is greater.

As such there is no clear evidence of why an ectopic pregnancy occurs. However, the risk factors include smoking, a previous ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, tubal surgery and ligation. Current IUD use and having multiple sexual partners seem to increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies. Advancing age is yet another factor that increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy.