When abdominal pain becomes a constant companion
Chronic abdominal pain may result from several conditions, including chronic pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, peptic ulcers, bowel disorders, abdominal cancers, nerve-related pain or scarring after previous surgery.
Among these, chronic pancreatitis is an important and often difficult-to-treat cause, producing persistent upper abdominal and upper back pain that can affect appetite, sleep, work and overall quality of life.
Diagnosis usually begins with a detailed clinical evaluation and may include blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, MRI/MRCP, endoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound.
Deep inside the abdomen, the coeliac plexus and splanchnic nerves act like relay centres, carrying pain signals from the abdominal organs to the brain. Procedures such as radiofrequency ablation of these splanchnic nerves and coeliac plexus neurolysis can offer significant and longer-lasting relief in carefully selected patients.
However, quite unfortunately, these targeted treatments for chronic abdominal pain remain underutilized.
Persistent abdominal pain should not be accepted as a way of life—consult a pain specialist and explore the treatment options available to you.
