[33F] Experiencing abdominal tenderness

Patient Description

A 33-year-old female presents with abdominal tenderness that feels bruised to the touch or sore, which started last night. The pain is mild, rated at 1 on a scale of 10, and may be somewhat alleviated by Tylenol. The patient's last bowel movement was today, described as long and brown, without any accompanying fever, chills, or other symptoms. The exact location of the tenderness on the stomach was not specified.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible explanations for your symptoms include:

  • Muscle strain or overuse: This can occur if you've recently done strenuous physical activity or exercise that you're not used to. The pain would be in the muscles in your abdominal wall rather than inside your abdomen.

    • Treatment typically involves rest, applying a warm or cold compress to the area, and over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol.
  • Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to a viral or bacterial infection. However, it's usually accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes fever.

    • Treatment usually involves rest and staying hydrated. If symptoms persist or worsen, you should seek medical attention.
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits. However, IBS is usually a chronic condition with symptoms that come and go over time.

    • Treatment usually involves managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. Medications and counseling might be recommended if these changes aren't enough.

What you can do

  1. If you think the pain might be due to muscle strain, try resting and applying a warm or cold compress to the area. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol can also help.
  2. If you suspect gastroenteritis, make sure to stay hydrated. If your symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention.
  3. If you think you might have IBS, try keeping a food diary to identify any triggers, and consider making changes to your diet and lifestyle. If these changes aren't enough, you should seek medical attention.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • Severe pain or pain that gets progressively worse
  • Blood in your stool
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent vomiting or inability to keep down fluids
  • High fever (>101.5°F)

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've provided. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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9 mo ago


People Also Ask


What are common causes of abdominal tenderness that feels bruised to the touch?

Common causes of abdominal tenderness that feels bruised to the touch include muscle strain or overuse, gastroenteritis, and sometimes conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It's important to consider recent activities or other symptoms to help identify the cause.


How can I differentiate between muscle strain and other abdominal issues?

Muscle strain is often associated with recent physical activity and the pain is localized to the abdominal wall. Other abdominal issues might present with additional symptoms like changes in bowel habits, fever, or more severe pain.


What are the typical symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Typical symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and sometimes fever. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.


How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) usually managed?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is usually managed through dietary changes, stress management, and sometimes medications. Keeping a food diary to identify triggers and making lifestyle adjustments can also be helpful.

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