Acute Abdomen Pain Character

• Constant pain+−

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  When inflammation reaches the peritoneum, pain becomes continuous and often worsens with movement, coughing, or deep breath. Appendicitis, cholecystitis, and perforated ulcer can show this pattern. Sudden uninterrupted severe pain raises vascular or perforation emergencies.

• Colicky pain+−

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  Hollow organs contracting against obstruction produce waves of pain. Bowel obstruction, ureteric stone, and bile-duct stone are classic. Colic that later becomes constant can signal ischemia or advancing inflammation.

• Referred pain+−

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  Pain is felt distant from the diseased organ along shared nerve pathways. Pancreatitis may belt to the back; cholecystitis to the right shoulder or scapular tip; subdiaphragmatic air or blood to the shoulder. Referral is a clue, not a solo diagnosis.

• Migrating pain+−

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  In appendicitis, vague periumbilical pain often settles in the right lower quadrant as peritonitis develops. Ureteric stone pain can march from flank toward the groin. Migration history is as valuable as the starting point.

More chapters in this hub

• Acute Abdomen Pain Location

  What patients notice — and which warning signs need urgent care

• Acute Abdomen Onset Patterns

  What patients notice — and which warning signs need urgent care

• Associated Symptoms

  Vomiting, bleeding, jaundice, and systemic red flags

• Causes of Acute Abdomen

  Surgical and medical drivers of the syndrome

• Acute Abdomen Hospital Course

  Hospital course — explained for shared decision-making