Name some common causes of abdominal pain
Non-specific abdominal pain Appendicitis Intestinal obstruction Urinary tract disease Biliary tract disease etc.
What details about abdominal pain do you want to elicit form the history?
Site Onset Character Radiation Associated symptoms/signs Timing Exacerbating/relieving factors
Is it somatic or visceral
What are the two major types of pain?
Visceral
Somatic
What is visceral pain?
Pain arising from the organs
What is somatic pain?
Pain arising from the abdominal wall
What kinds of things are visceral tissues insensitive to?
Mechanical, thermal or chemical irritation
What kinds of things are visceral tissues sensitive to?
Tension Overdistension Spasm Ischaemia Traction
What kinds of things are somatic tissues sensitive to?
Being handled, cut, cauterised
What 3 things occur when the parietal peritoneum is irritated?