Abdominal Discomfort and Shivers: Identifying Twelve Potential Causes
Stomach pain accompanied by chills can be a concerning symptom for many adults, often signaling an infectious or inflammatory process in the abdomen. This article aims to provide a clear and concise overview of some common causes of this condition.
One of the most common causes is stomach viruses, such as norovirus or rotavirus. These viral infections often lead to stomach pain with cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Chills are also a common symptom as part of the body's response to the viral illness. Rest and hydration are crucial for recovery.
Another significant cause is appendicitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. This inflammation causes severe abdominal pain that may start around the upper stomach and shift to the lower right abdomen. Along with the pain, appendicitis may also bring chills, fever, nausea, and loss of appetite. Given its severity, appendicitis requires immediate medical treatment.
A bowel obstruction, a blockage in the small or large intestine, can also cause intense stomach pain, abdominal swelling, constipation, vomiting, and chills. This is a medical emergency often needing surgery.
Infections in general, including gastrointestinal infections such as stomach flu or food poisoning, commonly cause chills as part of the body's response to fever and body aches.
Parasitic infections like schistosomiasis may also present with stomach pain, chills, muscle aches, and cough a few weeks after exposure.
Other less common causes include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries, and diverticulitis, an inflammation of diverticula, bulging pouches that form in the gut's lining.
In summary, stomach pain accompanied by chills often indicates an infectious or inflammatory process in the abdomen requiring careful evaluation. Some causes like stomach viruses are self-limited, while others like appendicitis and bowel obstruction are emergencies needing prompt treatment. If these symptoms occur suddenly or severely, seek medical attention promptly.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Abdominal pain. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/abdominal-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050735 [2] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Appendicitis. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Common illnesses and conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/disease/common_conditions.html [4] World Health Organization. (2021). Schistosomiasis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schistosomiasis
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