Abdominal Pain – Non-abdominal causes

Here are some notable non-abdominal causes of abdominal pain:

  1. Vascular Causes:
    1. Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): Referred pain from a heart attack can sometimes be felt in the upper abdomen.
    2. Aortic Aneurysm: An expanding or rupturing aortic aneurysm can cause severe abdominal pain.
    3. Mesenteric Ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the intestines can cause abdominal pain.
  2. Thoracic Causes:
    1. Pneumonia: Especially lower lobe pneumonia can cause abdominal pain due to irritation of the diaphragm.
    2. Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura (the lining surrounding the lungs) can cause pain that’s felt in the abdomen.
    3. Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium (the sac around the heart) can sometimes cause upper abdominal pain.
  3. Metabolic and Endocrine Causes:
    1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): A complication of diabetes that can cause abdominal pain.
    2. Addisonian Crisis: Adrenal insufficiency can present with severe abdominal pain.
    3. Hypercalcemia: High calcium levels can cause abdominal pain.
  4. Hematological Causes:
    1. Sickle Cell Crisis: In patients with sickle cell anemia, a vaso-occlusive crisis can cause abdominal pain.
    2. Porphyria: A group of disorders that can present with abdominal pain among other symptoms.
    3. Leukemia or Lymphoma: These blood cancers can sometimes present with abdominal pain.
  5. Renal Causes:
    1. Renal Colic: Pain from kidney stones can radiate to the abdomen.
    2. Pyelonephritis: Infection of the kidneys can cause abdominal pain.
  6. Neurological Causes:
    1. Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Can cause pain before the appearance of the rash.
    2. Neuropathies: Such as diabetic neuropathy.
  7. Psychological Causes:
    1. Somatization Disorder: Abdominal pain may be a manifestation of a psychiatric disorder.
    2. Depression and Anxiety: These can sometimes present with physical symptoms including abdominal pain.
  8. Musculoskeletal Causes:
    1. Radiculopathy: Nerve root compression in the spine can cause referred pain to the abdomen.
    2. Strained or Pulled Muscles: In the abdominal wall.
    3. Sacroiliac and Hip pathology
  9. Infectious Diseases:
    1. Infectious Mononucleosis: Can cause abdominal pain due to spleen enlargement.
    2. Mesenteric Adenitis: Associated with a viral illness
  10. Toxic Causes:
    1. Lead Poisoning or Arsenic Poisoning: Can cause abdominal pain.