Everyone on this planet has experienced some level of abdominal pain or discomfort at some point in their life. Abdominal pains can be so severe that surgery may be needed to resolve the issue.
Correctly diagnosing abdominal pain depends on the location and type of the pain. In the next 3 parts of this 4-part series on digestive health, we will look at some specific types of abdominal pain, what the location of digestive pain can tell us and nurturing digestive wellness.

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Today, In the first part of the series, we want to introduce you to:
1. What the abdomen is
2. The different parts of the abdomen
3. Common areas in the abdomen where people often feel pain

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What is The Abdomen?

Many people refer to the area below the diaphragm as the stomach and the area below their navel (colloquially known as the “belly button”) as the abdomen. Unfortunately, this is not entirely accurate. The abdomen is the body cavity lying between the chest or thorax (rib cage) above and the pelvis (hip) below, extending from the spine to the wall of abdominal muscles in the front. The groin is the area where the upper thighs meet the lowest part of the abdomen.

The abdomen holds many of the body’s vital organs including the liver, stomach and intestines.  The stomach however, sits within the abdomen, in the upper-left quadrant.  So, now we know the difference between the abdomen and the stomach.

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What Are the Different Parts of The Abdomen?

The abdomen is divided into 9 parts or regions. The hypogastric region, again, what many incorrectly label the abdomen, contains the bladder, reproductive organs (in females) and part of the small intestine. These regions are what medical professionals use for medical examination, diagnosis, and treatment and help them communicate effectively about the location of abdominal organs and structures.

             
Another, simpler way to describe the abdomen is using 4 regions: the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), and Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

Feel free to use these descriptions to provide clarity when talking to you doctor remotely.

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What are the common areas in the abdomen where people often feel pain?

Gas pains, which often manifest as discomfort or cramping, commonly occur in the right iliac region of the abdomen. Indigestion, characterised by bloating, fullness or burning sensations, is frequently felt in the upper abdomen, particularly the epigastric region below the sternum. Pulled muscles and hernias can affect the entire abdomen, with a higher incidence in the lower abdomen. These conditions can lead to localised pain, swelling or bulging, depending on the specific area affected.
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Having briefly touched on abdominal pain, in part 2 of our series on digestive heath, we will delve deeper into a particular type of abdominal pain and explore its causes and management. Contact us on 0544352250 and stay tuned!