Subjective signs of acute abdomen


 * Pain – the most common and the most important symptom of acute abdomen.
 * visceral;
 * colic (ileus, blockage of the bile duct, urinary tract, ovarian torsion, …);
 * persistent pain (inflammations);
 * somatic.


 * Vomiting – accompanies most cases of an acute abdomen, however sometimes it is not present.
 * reflexive – vomiting doesn't lead to relief, it's often present at the beginning of an acute abdomen and caused by irritation of the peritoneum;
 * caused by to bowel obstruction – leads to temporary relief, arises from the accumulation of excessive content;
 * central – due to the effect of absorbed toxins on the CNS.


 * Constipation and inability to pass gas
 * almost in all acute abdomen cases;
 * it occurs as a reflex arrest in conditions where the peritoneum is irritated. In ileus, it will occur only after motility paralysis (in high-level ileus, the arrest occurs relatively late).


 * Hiccups
 * occurs 3-4 days after the acute abdomen onset, it is less significant for diagnostics;
 * caused by irritation of the peritoneum in the diaphragm area or by the accumulation of contents in hypochondrium.

Related articles

 * Objective signs of acute abdomen