Acute abdomen

An acute abdomen is a condition requiring surgical intervention in most cases. Let us consider what signs pathology has and what methods allow it to be recognized in time.

Symptoms of an acute abdomen

Depending on the causes, the symptoms of an acute abdomen may differ. The main symptoms are:

1. Pain in the abdominal cavity. Most often there is an intense pain syndrome. But, for example, with appendicitis, pain can be characterized as pulling.
2. Stiff, swollen abdomen. A similar pattern can be observed with pronounced irritation of the peritoneum, especially when perforating the ulcer. In the initial stage of the disease, on the contrary, there is often a relaxation of muscle tissue and retraction of the abdomen.
3. Increased temperature. As a rule, it is observed if the disease is complicated by peritonitis.
4. Shallow breathing. A deep breath provokes an intensification of the painful syndrome with an acute abdomen. Therefore, the patient breathes superficially, protecting the peritoneum.
5. Changing the heart rate. At the initial stage there is a decrease in heart rate. As the progression of pathology increases intoxication, which leads to a rapid pulse.
6. Vomiting. It has a different character depending on the pathology. Often determines the scheme of treatment. When vomiting occurs after the onset of pain, surgical treatment is usually required. Otherwise, conservative methods are used.

Outwardly, a person suffering from an acute abdomen looks emaciated - eyes fall, facial features become aggravated.

Causes of an acute abdomen

There are several main reasons that can lead to an acute abdomen:

• acute appendicitis;
• intestinal obstruction;
• acute peritonitis;
• thrombosis of the mesenteric artery;
• acute pyelonephritis;
• torsion of the cysts;
• swelling of the ovary;
• urolithiasis disease.

In principle, characteristic symptomatology is any inflammatory, as well as infectious process, perforation of the abdominal cavity.

Diagnosis of an acute abdomen

Since the factors that provoke pathology are many, it is important to make an accurate diagnosis. The following methods are used for this:

1. Palpation - allows you to clarify the localization of pain and presumably - the place of pathology.
2. Auscultation - is used for suspected rupture of the spleen, neoplasm of the liver or aortic aneurysm. Helps to diagnose intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis.
3. Biochemical blood test - reveal the level of electrolytes, serum amylase activity, overestimation of bilirubin concentration.
4. General analysis of urine - recommended for suspected urolithiasis or acute pyelonephritis.
5. ECG - is performed on general grounds to identify possible pathologies of the cardiac muscle.

Depending on the intended cause, the diagnosis can be extended. For example, if the probability of gas accumulation under the diaphragm or in case of suspicion of aneurysmal dissection, a chest x-ray is used. Diagnosis of pancreatitis or intestinal infarction can be done with laparocentesis.

Treatment of an acute abdomen

The treatment regimen is compiled individually after detailed diagnosis and identification of the causes. The general measures of treatment include:

• intravenous fluids;
• starvation;
• possibly, gastric lavage ;
• constant monitoring of the level of electrolytes.

If suspected of an acute abdomen, urgent help should be provided. Delayed treatment and independent attempts to eliminate pain can lead to death, caused by heavy bleeding, sepsis, tissue necrosis.