| Abdominal PainBy Ricky Parker |
Abdominal pain is a frequent manifestation of disorders of the abdominal organs, but it may also result from disorders in which the primary problem lies outside the abdomen.The cause of abdominal problems can be hard to pinpoint. Sometimes serious and minor abdominal problems start with the same symptoms.
Any sudden, severe, unfamiliar stomach or abdominal pain lasting longer than 30 minutes requires immediate attention.
Facts about the intra- abdominal organs
The liver is one of the largest organs in the body, representing 2% of the total body weight with 1,5L of blood entering this organ every minute
The gallbladder holds about 50ml of bile but as much as 1,5L of bile is produced every day by the liver cells
Although the pancreas is only 12-15cm long and weighs about 100g, it produces 1-2L of secretions per day containing digestive enzymes
An amazing 250-350L of blood flow through the spleen every day with each red blood cell averaging 1 000 passes through this 12 by 7 cm organ each day
The volume of the empty stomach is only 50 ml but by a process of active relaxation, the stomach can accommodate about 1 000 mls before pressure in the lumen starts to rise
It is estimated that stool contains up to 400 different species of bacteria which participates in numerous physiological processes
The small intestine in an adult is 5-6m long and the principal function is absorbing nutrients from the food that we eat
Each kidney contains over 1 million functioning units called nephrons responsible for maintaining homeostasis of body fluids.
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Comments for "Abdominal Pain"
February, 2008
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