Sudden Abdominal Pain: Causes and Concerns - Internal Medicine

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Sudden abdominal pain can be alarming, especially when it occurs unexpectedly during a meal. Your experience of sharp pain on the left side of your navel, which lasted for about 10 seconds and subsided after loosening your clothing, is indicative of a few possible causes. It's understandable to be concerned about serious conditions like tumors or appendicitis, but let's break down the potential reasons for your symptoms.

1. Gastrointestinal Motility: The pain you experienced could indeed be related to rapid gastrointestinal motility, which refers to the speed at which food moves through your digestive tract. When food is ingested, the stomach and intestines contract to mix and propel the contents forward. If this process is too rapid, it can lead to cramping or sharp pain, particularly if there is any underlying inflammation or sensitivity in the gastrointestinal tract. This is often seen in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gastritis.

2. Inflammation: As your doctor mentioned, there could be mild inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract. This could be due to various factors, including dietary choices, stress, or infections. Inflammation can cause localized pain, especially during digestion when the affected area is more active.

3. Muscle Strain: Sometimes, abdominal pain can be muscular in nature. If you were sitting in a position that put pressure on your abdomen, or if you had recently engaged in physical activity that strained your abdominal muscles, this could lead to sharp pain that resolves quickly once the pressure is relieved.

4. Referred Pain: It's also worth noting that sometimes pain can be referred from other areas of the body. For instance, issues with the spleen or even the diaphragm can manifest as pain in the left abdominal region.
5. Serious Conditions: While your doctor reassured you that conditions like appendicitis or tumors are unlikely given the nature of your pain, it is important to remain vigilant. Appendicitis typically presents with more persistent pain, often starting around the navel and then moving to the right lower abdomen, accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, nausea, or vomiting. Tumors, on the other hand, usually present with more chronic symptoms rather than sudden, sharp pain.

Given that your doctor performed a stool test that returned negative results and suggested medication, it seems they are leaning towards a functional gastrointestinal issue rather than a structural one. However, if your symptoms persist, worsen, or if you develop additional symptoms such as fever, significant changes in bowel habits, or prolonged pain, it would be prudent to seek further evaluation.

In summary, while your sudden abdominal pain could be attributed to rapid gastrointestinal motility or mild inflammation, it is essential to monitor your symptoms closely. If you experience any concerning changes, don't hesitate to follow up with your healthcare provider for further assessment. Keeping a symptom diary, noting when the pain occurs, its duration, and any associated activities or foods, can also be helpful for your doctor in determining the underlying cause.