Abdominal Pain in Adolescents

Introduction

Abdominal pain in adolescents is a common and potentially serious illness that can be difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, the number of new cases of abdominal pain has been on the rise in recent years, which may be linked to increased rates of certain diseases among young adults. Other causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), viral gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and endometriosis. In this article we’ll discuss some common causes of abdominal pain in teens and young adults so you can better understand what’s going on with your child or friend’s body.

Adolescents Are Not Immune to Appendicitis.

Adolescents are not immune to appendicitis. Appendicitis is a common cause of abdominal pain in teenagers, especially those who have been athletic or had a heavy meal. The reason for this is the same as with adults: appendicitis can develop from an infection that spreads through your body.

For example, if you eat contaminated food and then later vomit it up (or if someone sneezes on you), this may cause an infection in your intestines. You could have symptoms like diarrhea and stomach cramps along with fever or vomiting for several days before going to see a doctor about them—and even longer before being diagnosed with appendicitis! But if one day you don’t feel well after eating something unusual but don’t think anything out of the ordinary happened at all during lunchtime (like maybe someone else grabbed some chips from their lunchroom table), then chances are slim that there’s anything wrong at all…

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Is More Common in Young Adults Than Children.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is more common in young adults than children. IBD is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, including the colon and small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. The cause is unknown but may be associated with genetic factors or environmental factors such as certain bacteria found in certain foods such as shellfish or eggs.

The Stomach Bug, or Viral Gastroenteritis, Can Streak Across Campuses and Schools.

Viral gastroenteritis (VGE) is a bit of a stretch for most people, but it’s a real thing—and one that can have serious consequences. VGE is an acute viral infection of the digestive tract that causes diarrhea and vomiting, as well as stomach cramps, nausea and fever. The symptoms typically last about 3-5 days but may last longer for some people.

Viral gastroenteritis isn’t just something that happens to kids: you’re at risk of catching it if you go to school or work with children who are sick! The good news is that there are things we can do to help prevent this bug from spreading throughout our community.

Pancreatitis Can Be a Cause of Intense Abdominal Pain.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause intense abdominal pain. It can be caused by alcohol, gallstones or trauma to the abdomen. When pancreatitis occurs in adolescents, it often occurs after bouts of heavy drinking and can occur as a result of certain medications.

Pancreatitis has many signs and symptoms including:

• Severe abdominal pain with vomiting or nausea

• Fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) for more than 24 hours

Endometriosis Doesn’t Have to be Endured by Adolescents Alone.

Endometriosis doesn’t have to be endured by adolescents alone. Endometriosis is a disease where tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing pain and infertility. It’s more common in women under 30 than older women, but it can affect anyone who has periods (menstruation) every month or so.

Treatment options include medication, surgery and other treatments like hormone therapy and fertility treatments.

Pelvic Pain From Ovarian Cysts or Other Causes Is Not Unheard Of in Teens.

You may be surprised to learn that ovarian cysts are common in teens. The average age for the first occurrence is 14 years old, but it can occur at any time during puberty.

The symptoms of ovarian cysts include:

• Pain in your lower abdomen (abdomen)

• Pain in your upper abdomen (stomach) or back

• Nausea or vomiting

Abdominal Pain May Signal a Hernia That Requires Surgical Intervention.

• Hernias are common in children and teens.

• Hernia surgery is usually successful, but it may be necessary to repeat the procedure if the hernia continues to recur.

• Hernias can occur without any noticeable trauma or abdominal muscle strain, so you should see a doctor if you are concerned about your child’s pain or discomfort.

Juvenile Arthritis Can Cause Recurrent Abdominal Pain Without Fever or Other Signs of Infection.

Juvenile arthritis is a common cause of abdominal pain in teens. It’s also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and the pain can be mild to severe. In some cases, JIA may be mistaken for appendicitis or other illnesses that cause similar symptoms.

The most common location for abdominal pain associated with JIA is the lower abdomen or upper abdomen; however, it can also occur near your belly button or even in your back near where he ribs would be if you had them (ribs are bones that run across your chest).

Conclusion

It is important to remember that abdominal pain in adolescents is not always a cause for alarm. It may, however, be an indicator of serious disease or even surgery. It is also important to remember that there are many other causes of abdominal pain in adolescents, so if you’re concerned about your child’s health and find nothing else works, make an appointment with your family doctor.