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Normal abdominal anatomy
Normal abdominal anatomy

Abdominal distress
Alternative Names:
Abdominal discomfort
Information:

Definition: Any pain or discomfort in the abdomen. See abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and excessive gas.

Many intra-abdominal disease processes can lead to abdominal pain. Depending on the nature and severity of the process, the pain can be chronic or acute, crampy or sharp, and associated with abdominal rigidity, which suggests peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity).

Any severe abdominal pain should prompt a visit to a physician for thorough evaluation.
Review Date: 6/2/2001
Reviewed By: Robert O’Rourke, M.D., Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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