Your abdomen extends from below your chest to your groin. Some people call it the stomach, but your abdomen contains many other important organs. Pain in the abdomen can come from any one of them. The pain may start somewhere else, such as your chest. Severe pain doesn't always mean a serious problem. Nor does mild pain mean a problem is not serious.

Call your healthcare provider if mild pain lasts a week or more or if you have pain with other symptoms. Get medical help immediately if:

You have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharp
You also have pain in your chest, neck or shoulder
You're vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
Your abdomen is stiff, hard and tender to touch
You can't move your bowels, especially if you're also vomiting

Colitis often manifests itself in various symptoms, but one of the most common symptoms of this disease is abdominal pain, which is second only to recurrent, bloody diarrhea as the most commonly-seen manifestation of colitis.

What causes abdominal pain in colitis?

Abdominal pain occurs because of inflammation, which is most often the case in ulcerative colitis, where an inflammation in the bowel and rectal mucosa inevitably leads to the formation of ulcers, bleeding and possible infection. The sensation is often described as cramping and painful spasms in the lower abdomen which occurs in flare-ups and which can last from days to weeks. The pain and the rest of the symptoms may recur at any time.

Other diseases where abdominal pain may also be a symptom

Abdominal pain may also be present in other diseases, which is often why the diagnosis for ulcerative colitis may necessitate the need to rule out other diseases which present with similar symptoms (i.e. abdominal pain along with rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhea). These diseases may include:

Irritable bowel syndrome
Diverticulitis
Appendicitis
Blockage of a bile duct
Swelling of the liver
Colon cancer

Treatment

Anti-inflammatory drugs like sulfasalazine, melasamine and balzasalide are often given to treat the inflammation in ulcerative colitis and to prevent the flare-up of symptoms. These drugs have also been proven useful in lowering the risk for colorectal cancer in people with colitis.

Understanding Abdominal Pain Recommended Resources:

University of Maryland Medical Center

University of Michigan Health System