What Causes Lower Abdominal And Back Pain In Females

Box 6 Symptoms And Signs Of Severe Pre

• Headache

• Blood pressure > 140/90 or rise in diastolic from previous readings

• Ankle swelling

• Proteinuria

Pre-eclampsia is a condition specifically associated with pregnancy, usually but not always occurring in the late stages of pregnancy. Classically it presents with hypertension, proteinuria, and oedema. When the condition worsens the woman may complain of upper right sided or epigastric abdominal pain, headache, nausea and vomiting. She may become confused and have very brisk reflexes. Fitting can then follow. Unless the woman is a known epileptic, any fit in pregnancy is managed as a probable eclamptic fit. Fits attributable to eclampsia may pose significant airway problems. Manage these as in any other fit by simple airway manoeuvres. If the fit is not self limiting intravenous diazemuls should be given supplemented by magnesium sulphate once the patient arrives in hospital. It is also essential to control the blood pressure as soon as possible. Urgent transfer to an obstetric unit is required.

Muscle Strain Or Sprain

A muscle strain or sprain is the most common cause of low back pain.

A strain is a tear or stretching in a tendon or muscle, while a sprain is a tear or stretching in a ligament.

Sprains and strains usually happen when you twist or lift something improperly, lift something heavy, or overstretch your back muscles.

These injuries can cause swelling, difficulty moving, and back spasms.

Treating A Known Or Suspected Cause

Depending on the cause, treatment may include:

• Medicine to control or stop the ovulation cycle. This is done if cyclic hormonal changes seem to make your symptoms worse.
• Medicines to treat other diseases, such as an antibiotic for infection or medicine for irritable bowel syndrome.
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy, counselling, or biofeedback to treat depression or other mental health problems.
• Surgery to remove painful growths, cysts, or tumours.
• Healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise to manage stress and improve strength, mood, and general health, along with dietary changes, such as those recommended to manage irritable bowel syndrome.

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Reasons For Female Lower Back Pain

Female lower back pain can be caused by many different things and can vary greatly based on location. Unfortunately, lower back pain in women is an all too common phenomenon. In general, almost everyone will experience some form of back pain or back problems during their lifetime. This guide will help you determine the causes and treatments for your back pain. Begin by locating the correct region of your back pain. Once youve found the pain location, continue reading more on the conditions that may be causing your female low back pain and how you can treat it!

Lower Back Pain In Females Can Stem From A Womans Reproductive Anatomy Or Her Spinal Anatomy Learn What Can Cause Lower Back Pain In Women That Men May Not Have To Worry As Muchor At Allabout

• SI Joint Dysfunction

We humans are terrible about pinpointing pain. You might wonder how you can mistake menstrual cramps for back painand then it happens to you. Its all the same general area, and there are certain conditions that make your core just a morass of pain. And womenlucky usmay be more susceptible than you might think.

Here are 7 lower back pain causes women may experience more than men

Research suggests 60 to 80% of people experience low back pain during their lifetime with its prevalence being slightly more common in females than males across all age groups. Back pain in women increases significantly with age. Additionally, a middle-aged subject research comparison reported an increased incidence of low back pain in females versus males post menopause age.

Here are some possible lower back pain causes in females that men may worry less about.

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Prevention Of Abdominal Pain

In many cases, abdominal pain can be prevented by adopting lifestyle and dietary choices that address the cause of your pain. Constipation, digestive upset, and even abdominal injury can often be prevented.

The following steps may help you prevent abdominal pain:

Drink plenty of water.

Develop regular bowel habits. Many people can train themselves to have regular bowel movements to help avoid constipation.

Follow a balanced, fiber-filled diet. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods, like whole grains, can help support healthy digestion and reduce constipation.

Eat regularly and slowly. Eating moderately-sized meals, instead of waiting until youre very hungry and stuffing yourself, can help avoid pain from overeating or eating on an empty stomach.

Exercise regularly. Getting enough physical activity can help prevent constipation and strengthen your abdominal muscles, which may help prevent straining.

Wear a seatbelt properly.

Lower Abdominal Pain In Women When To See A Doctor

Because abdominal pain in women has many causes, you shouldnt ignore pelvic cramping or lower stomach discomfort that doesnt go away. Pains in your lower abdomen could be something as simple as mild digestive discomfort or as serious as a kidney infection or appendicitis.

Dr. Jerry Balentine on eMedicineNet advises women to see a doctor for abdominal pain in the following circumstances:

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What Causes Lower Back Pain In Women

Lower back pain doesnt have one specific cause. There is more to this problem than strains and sprains or pregnancy. As mentioned above, some people dont even know what causes pain in this area, but finding out is crucial in order to improve the quality of life and alleviate discomfort you experience.

Since lower back pain in women has a wide array of different causes and some of them arent even related to your back, well assess the most common factors separately below.

Cystitis Or Urinary Tract Infections

Cystitis refers to inflammation in the bladder due to a bacterial infection. This happens because vaginal, rectal, or skin bacteria can enter the urethra and make their way to the bladder.

A urinary tract infection is one that can occur anywhere in the system, while cystitis occurs only in the bladder.

Both conditions are common in women. These infections will sometimes clear up on their own, but a short course of antibiotics will typically treat cystitis and other UTIs.

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When To See Your Doctor

Mild, short-lived pain in the lower left abdomen that goes away on its own typically does not require medical care. But pain in this area that persists, recurs, progresses or is severe should never be ignored, as this symptom might signal a serious medical problem.

According to Dr. Borkar, pain on the lower left side that comes with lower back pain, unintentional weight loss, severe or worsening abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting and blood in the stool all require a trip to your GI doctor for an evaluation.

Stomach And Back Pain At The Same Time

For most of us, its not uncommon to have an occasional stomachache or acute back pain. But what does it mean if both are happening at the same time? This could be a coincidence, but it may also be concerning to notice two disconnected symptoms. The combination of pains may make daily activities difficult or be distracting. If the pain reaches this level, it may be a good idea to visit an Atlanta MRI center to rule out any serious conditions that could cause both problems at the same time.

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Dysfunction Of Sacroiliac Joints

Dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints is also called sacroiliitis. You have two sacroiliac joints, one on each side of your spine where it connects with the top of your pelvis. Sacroiliitis is inflammation of this joint. It can affect one or both sides.

Pain in your lower back and buttocks is the most common symptom. The pain is usually made worse by:

• standing

• unexplained weight loss
• pain after a fall or injury

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

When Should You Call Your Doctor

if you have sudden, severe pelvic pain, with or without vaginal bleeding.

• Your periods have changed from relatively pain-free to painful.
• Pain interferes with your daily activities.
• You start to have pain during intercourse.
• You have painful urination, blood in your urine, or an inability to control the flow of urine.
• You have blood in your stool or a significant, unexplained change in your bowel movements.
• You notice any new pelvic symptoms.
• You haven’t yet seen a doctor about your chronic pelvic pain.

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Box 2 Common Presentations Of Primary Survey Positive Patients

• Collapse

• Heavy vaginal bleeding

• Complications of labour

Shock can be attributable to either hypovolaemia or sepsis. En route to hospital obtain intravenous access and draw blood for cross matching. Remember to complete the patient details on the blood specimen tube. No intervention should delay transfer to definitive medical care. Intravenous fluid resuscitation in abdominal haemorrhage should be based on the principle of hypotensive resuscitation, aiming to give enough fluid to maintain a radial pulse.

Home Remedies For Low Back Pain

If your back pain is caused by conditions related to your menstrual period or a muscle strain, you may want to try the following home remedies to ease your lower back pain:

• A heating pad. A heating pad applied to your back can boost circulation, which, in turn, allows nutrients and oxygen to get to the muscles in your back.
• A warm bath. A warm bath can improve circulation and reduce muscle pain and stiffness.
• OTC painkillers. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen , naproxen , and aspirin, can help ease back pain and other types of pain associated with your period.
• Exercise. Staying active can improve your circulation and ease tense muscles.
• Gentle stretching. Regular stretching may help reduce lower back pain or prevent it from coming back.
• An ice pack. If your back pain is due to a muscle strain or an injury, an ice pack may help reduce inflammation, pain, and bruising. Ice packs work best within the first 48 hours of a muscle strain or injury.
• A pillow. Placing a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side, or under your knees if you sleep on your back, may help ease back pain and discomfort.
• Good lumbar support. Using a chair with good lumbar support may help ease your back pain when sitting.

In some cases, its important to follow up with a doctor to determine the cause of your back pain. See your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following:

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Back Pain Conditions That Mainly Affect Women

SeeLower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Several conditions are more common in women. Back pain-related problems are typically seen in the post-menopausal age . Read on to learn more about the common causes of back pain in women and the reasons why they occur.

Pain originating from spasms in your piriformis muscle, a large muscle located deep in the buttock, is called piriformis syndrome.2 Women are affected more due to hormone and pregnancy-related changes in the pelvis.

Piriformis syndrome often causes irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, mimicking sciatica pain. Piriformis syndrome may cause3:

• Chronic pain in the buttock and hip area that is worsened by hip movements
• Pain when you get out of bed
• Inability to sit for a long time
• Radiating pain in the back of your thigh and leg

The symptoms typically get better when you lie on your back.

Pain from your sacroiliac joint that connects the bottom of your spine to your pelvis is called sacroiliac joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis. SI joint problems are among the more common causes of lower back pain.

Women typically have a smaller SI joint surface area compared to men, resulting in a higher concentration of stresses across the joint. The sacrum is also wider, more uneven, less curved, and tilted more backward in women, which may cause problems in the SI joint.4

Degenerative spondylolisthesis can cause9:

Box 4 Potential Treats To Life In Women

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Pulmonary embolism

• Toxic shock syndrome

An incomplete miscarriage may result in products of conception caught in the cervix that leads to profound vagal stimulation with bradycardia and shock. These patients need urgent hospital admission because removal of these products will lead to a rapid clinical improvement and reduction in bleeding. Any tissue passed should accompany the woman to hospital.

Pulmonary embolism is still responsible for a number of maternal deaths. Have a low index of suspicion and refer pregnant women with shortness of breath or pleuritic chest pain.

Toxic shock syndrome is caused by invasive staphyloccal or streptococcal infections and is usually associated with tampon use. The picture is one of septicaemic shock. Manage by fast transport, intravenous access en route, and oxygen.

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Duration Of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be brief or long-lasting, depending on its underlying cause. It can be ongoing or recurring, coming and going at what seem like random intervals or with certain activities or behaviors.

How long your abdominal pain lasts, or whether it comes and goes, doesnt necessarily correspond to how severe the underlying condition is.

Lower Abdominal Pain In Women: Symptoms And Causes

Lower abdominal pain in women can be a sign of many different medical issues. In some cases, the pain disappears quickly, while others require simple treatment. There are, of course, situations where the cause of the abdominal pain is a little more complicated and may take more time to treat. Below is a list of symptoms and causes of lower abdominal pain.

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Key Points About Pelvic Pain

• Many women have pelvic pain.

• Many disorders can cause pelvic pain.

• Doctors can determine likely causes based on a description of the pain, its relationship to the menstrual cycle, and results of a physical examination.

• If women are of childbearing age, a pregnancy test is always done.

• Urine tests and usually other tests, such as blood tests and ultrasonography of the pelvis, are done to confirm the suspected diagnosis.

• Menstrual cramps are a common cause of pelvic pain but are diagnosed only after other causes have been ruled out.

Lower Abdominal Pain In Women: Causes And Effective Home Treatments

Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health

Lower abdominal pain is more common among women than men. Very often, cramping feelings below the belly button, pain in the pelvic area, or lower back pain are caused by a womans menstrual cycle. Women are also more prone to developing infections in the bladder, urinary tract and kidneys, and inflammation in these organs can be another source of female lower abdominal pain.

Diagnosing the exact cause of lower abdominal pain in women can be a challenge. The abdominal area in women has most of the reproductive organs and these can become irritated during your monthly cycle. Sometimes, the pain can occur directly in the lower abdominal area and can range in intensity from a mild ache to sharp, stabbing pains. However, very often pain radiating from the lower back, having kidney stones, or even having a heart attack can cause a painful lower abdomen and pelvic cramping.

In most cases, a heat pack can help to ease the pressure in the lower abdomen and help get rid of the pain that female lower abdominal pain causes. Even in cases of abdominal pain that need medical attention, warmth can help to reduce irritation and relieve painful symptoms of pelvic and abdominal cramping.

In this article, you will find out the many causes of lower abdominal pain and lower back pain affecting women. You will also find practical ways to treat pain in your lower abdomen at home.

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Normal Variation Of Constipation

Constipation means bowel movements which have become infrequent and/or hardened and difficult to pass.

There is wide variation in what is thought “normal” when it comes to frequency of bowel movements. Anywhere from three times a day to three times a week is considered normal.

As long as stools are easy to pass, laxatives should not be used in an effort to force the body to a more frequent schedule.

Constipation is usually caused by lack of fiber in the diet not drinking enough water insufficient exercise and often suppressing the urge to have a bowel movement.

A number of medications and remedies, especially narcotic pain relievers, can cause constipation.

Women are often affected, due to pregnancy and other hormonal changes. Young children who demand low-fiber or “junk food” diets are also susceptible.

Constipation is a condition, not a disease, and most of the time is easily corrected. If simple adjustments in diet, exercise, and bowel habits don’t help, a doctor can be consulted to rule out a more serious cause.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain , nausea, stomach bloating, constipation, constipation

Symptoms that always occur with normal variation of constipation: constipation

Symptoms that never occur with normal variation of constipation: vomiting

Urgency: Self-treatment