Abdominal Pain - Male 

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DEFINITION

• Pain or discomfort located between the bottom of the rib cage and the groin crease.

General Information

• There are multiple causes of abdominal pain.
• Abdominal pain in the elderly carries with it a higher risk of serious illness.

Top Causes of Abdominal Pain in Men Under 50 Years of Age

• Appendicitis
• Gallbladder disease
• Nonspecific abdominal pain
• Peptic ulcer disease

Top Causes of Abdominal Pain in Individuals Over 50 Years of Age

• Appendicitis
• Bowel obstruction
• Diverticulitis
• Gallbladder disease
• Pancreatitis
• Peptic ulcer disease

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Any CHEST PAIN
• ABDOMINAL PAIN, UPPER
• CONSTIPATION is the main symptom and abdominal pain is mild
• VOMITING is the main symptom and abdominal pain is mild
• DIARRHEA is the main symptom and abdominal pain is mild

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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If

• Passed out (fainted)
• Very weak (can't stand)

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You feel weak or very sick
• Severe pain
• Constant abdominal pain for more than 2 hours
• Vomiting blood or black (coffee grounds).
• Vomiting bile (bright yellow or green)
• Vomiting and abdomen looks much more swollen than usual
• Blood in bowel movements (black/tarry or red)
• Recent injury or blow to the abdomen
• Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher
• Fever of 100.5 F (38.1 C) or higher and you:
  • Are over 60 years of age OR
  • Have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g. HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy) OR
  • Are bedridden (e.g. nursing home patient, stroke, chronic illness, recovering from surgery)
• Whites of the eyes have turned yellow (jaundice)
• Unable to urinate and your bladder feels very full
• Pain in scrotum or testicle.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think you need to be seen
• Mild pain comes and goes (cramps), but lasts greater than 24 hours
• Over 60 years old
• Blood in Urine

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• Abdominal pains are a recurrent problem

Self Care at Home If

• Mild abdominal pain and you don't think you need to be seen

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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD ABDOMINAL PAIN

1. Reassurance: A mild stomachache can be caused by indigestion, gas pains or overeating. Sometimes a stomachache signals the onset of a vomiting illness due to a viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu").
2. Rest: Lie down and rest until you feel better.
3. Fluids: Sip clear fluids only (e.g. water, flat soft drinks or 1/2 strength fruit juice) until the pain has been gone for over 2 hours. Then slowly return to a regular diet.
4. Diet:
   • Slowly advance diet from clear liquids to a bland diet
   • Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages
   • Avoid greasy or fatty foods.
5. Pass A BM: Sit on the toilet and try to pass a bowel movement (BM). Do not strain. This may relieve pain if it is due to constipation or impending diarrhea.
6. Avoid Medicines: Any drug could irritate the stomach lining and make the pain worse, especially an anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Do not take any pain medicines, fever medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
7. Expected Course: With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or goes away within 2 hours. With viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”), belly cramps may precede each bout of vomiting or diarrhea and may last 2-3 days. With serious causes (such as appendicitis) the pain becomes constant and more severe.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Abdominal pain is constant and present for more than 2 hours
   • Abdominal pains come and go, and are present for more than 24 hours

   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.