Localized pain is confined to or is most intense in one section of the abdomen.
Localized pain may indicate a more serious problem if:
- The pain comes on suddenly and increases in severity. Sudden severe pain may be caused by a problem with an underlying organ.
- Other symptoms develop, such as nausea and vomiting or fever, after the abdominal pain started. It is common to have cramping abdominal pain immediately before vomiting or having diarrhea. However, a more serious problem may be present when nausea and vomiting start after the onset of abdominal pain.
- Generalized abdominal pain becomes localized pain. This may mean there is an infection in a specific organ, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
| Last Updated | February 15, 2007 |
Author:Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Last Updated: 02/15/2007
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