Abdominal pain can occur due to variety of medical and surgical causes. It is important to elicit a detailed clinical history and perform abdominal examination to determine the cause of pain. Severe cases, it may be necessary to give treatment before proper history can be obtained or examination is allowed by the patient.

Causes of acute abdomen

1.  Abdominal causes

1.             Inflammation of peritoneum due to bacterial or chemical contamination. - Perforation of appendix or bowel, ulcer, pancreatitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.

2.  Mechanical obstruction of hollow viscera-intestinal obstruction, ureteric obstruction due to stone or other causes, and obstruction of the biliary tree.

1. Vascular disturbances - vascular rupture, embolism or thrombosis, torsion of pedicle

2.  Other causes

Diabetic-ketoacidosis, Tetany, Angina, Sickle cell anemia and viral infections.