Advanced Practice Role in Nursing: Pain
One important factor that causes and affects the response to pain is the age of a person. Such is the case whether it is an acute or chronic pain. Acute pain relates to the pain that has a rapid onset and often takes a short time to subside. On the other hand, chronic pain is one that has a slow onset of action and takes a long time to disappear (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2013). That said, this discussion aims to distinguish some of the causes of both acute and chronic abdominal pain in a 20-year-old individual in comparison to another who is of 50 years old. In light of such information, clarity on this issue is inevitable.
Acute Abdominal Pain Causes for a 20-year-old Male
The following are the possible causes of acute abdominal pain in a 20-year-old male. Primarily, at this age one may suffer from acute abdominal pain due to acute appendicitis. Also, testicular torsion is a common contributor to this type of pain in this age (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2013).
Chronic Abdominal Pain Causes for a 20-year-old Male
A common cause for this type of pain is the inflammatory bowel disease in individuals at this age. Besides, neoplasms are also other etiological reasons for this pain at this age (Goldbloom, 2011).
Rationale for Differential Diagnoses for 20-year-old Male
The primary reason for having the various differential diagnoses is on the premise that the peritoneal cavity has several organs that may be the cause of the pain. Thus, a differential diagnoses list is an important feature for the management of an acute pain patient. Such is the case given that it facilitates the doctor’s ability to establish all the possible causes for this pain (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2013).
Acute Abdominal Pain Causes for a 50-year-old Male
In the case of a 50-year-old man, a case of acute pain is due to a condition like diverticulosis. The diverticular disease results in a state where one to perceive this type of pain. That is the case given the increased weakness of the diverticulum walls. Consequently, this results in this pain (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2013).
Furthermore, small and large bowel obstructions are other possible causes for this kind of a pain in the elderly persons. Lastly, changes in the biliary system predispose the 50-year-old to acute cholecystitis that is also responsible for this pain in this age group (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2013).
Chronic Abdominal Pain Causes for a 50-year-old Male
A common cause is chronic pancreatitis, which may be heightened in this age due to alcohol use, the presence of gallstones and medication use (Tolba, Shroll, Kanu, & Rizk, 2014).
Additionally, the inflammatory bowel disease is another cause of chronic abdominal pain in persons aged between 50 and 60 years (Tolba, Shroll, Kanu, & Rizk, 2014).
Rationale for Differential Diagnoses for a 50-year-old Male
A differential test is of the essence since the elderly patient may take long before seeking care due to various reasons. Examples befitting of such reasons include but not limited to fear of losing their autonomy, absence of transport and fear of hospitals and death (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2013). As such, these reasons may make it difficult to pick the exact cause at once.
Conclusion
In closure abdominal pain is a common symptom that healthcare professionals must show understanding of if, they are to treat it appropriately. Such understanding must entail the etiological factor of either the acute and chronic types of abdominal pains in different age groups.
References
Buttaro, T., Trybulski, J., Polgar-Bailey, P., & Sandberg-Cook, J. (2013). Primary care: A collaborative practice (4th ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Goldbloom, R. B. (2011). Pediatric clinical skills. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders.
Tolba, R., Shroll, J., Kanu, A., & Rizk, M. (2014). The Epidemiology of Chronic Abdominal Pain. Chronic Abdominal Pain, 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1992-5_2
