Back to Homepage Abdomen Health - Preventive Path
Foundations for Abdominal Wellness

General preventive measures against diseases of the abdomen

The red arrows () and red-printed factors are the facilitating points for diseases, whereas the blue arrows () and blue-printed factors are the mitigating points.

Do now Watch for Get help if
  • Do now: Eat balanced, locally available foods; limit alcohol/caffeine; avoid self-medication; hand hygiene & safe water.
  • Watch for: Persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, blood in stool, constipation/diarrhoea changes.
  • Get help if: Severe/sudden pain, rigid/swollen abdomen, persistent vomiting, black/tarry stools, or dehydration signs.
Healthy abdomen checklist (tap to expand)

Seek urgent care immediately if any of the following occur:

  • Severe or worsening abdominal pain, rigid/swollen abdomen
  • Persistent vomiting, blood in vomit, black/tarry or bloody stools
  • Fever with chills, yellow eyes/skin (jaundice), or fainting
  • No urine for 8–12 hours, very dry mouth, dizziness—possible dehydration

This information supports—not replaces—professional medical advice. If you’re unsure or symptoms worsen, please seek care.

Causes

  • Genetic
  • Congenital
  • Excessive alcohol and/or caffeine intake
  • Intake of items containing harmful component(s)
  • Drug abuse
  • Emotional and physical stress
  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Other medical conditions in the body
  • Counter factors
    • See Children Preventive Path
    • Lead a health conscious lifestyle
    • Avoid smoking and smoking environment
    • Avoid excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine
    • Ensure you know the contents of items you consume
    • Avoid self medication
    • Drink water liberally daily (at least 3 litres for adults and for children, see Children Preventive Path)
    • Make 'safety' your watchword as a way of life
    • Report illnesses/body distress promptly to authorized medical facilities with which you cooperate to manage such conditions

Risk Factors

  • Excessive alcohol and/or caffeine intake
  • Poor and unhealthy nutrition
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Smoking and staying in smoking environment
  • Aging
  • Other medical conditions (like diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol level and obesity)
  • Emotional and physical stress
  • Having a biological relative with gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract disease
  • Substantial exposure to radiation or chemicals/toxins through the skin, mouth or by inhalation
  • Sharing of sharp objects which might penetrate the skin(e.g needles, razorblades and hair clippers)
  • Exposure to blood and body fluids of others
  • Habitually resisting urge to urinate or defecate
  • Drug abuse(e.g laxatives, NSAIDs)
  • Unsafe sex
  • Harmful traditional beliefs and practices
  • Over consumption of salt and simple sugar in diet

Lifestyle measures

  • Regular (yearly) routine general medical screening
  • Report illness/body distress early to authorized medical facilities
  • At least 30 minutes of exercise(like walking) per day
  • Avoid substantial radiation as much as possible
  • Avoid smoking, smoking environment and alcohol
  • Avoid chemicals/toxins either by inhalation or through the mouth or skin as much as possible
  • Deliberate efforts at eating locally available nutritious and healthy foods
  • Deliberately avoid salty and sugary intake as much as you can especially as your age gradually climbs
  • Avoid sharing sharp objects that contact the skin with other persons
  • As much as possible, avoid skin to skin contact with the body fluids or blood of others
  • As much as possible, avoid holding back for long, the urge to urinate or defecate
  • Avoid drug abuse and unsafe sex
  • Discuss your traditional beliefs and practices regarding your health with your doctor in order to avoid harmful practices
  • Comply with recommended immunization programs in authorized medical facilities in your locality
Human Disease Processes
  • Early hospital visit when ill
  • Stop smoking!
  • Stop alcohol!
  • Avoid self medication

Risk Factors

  • Poorly nourished persons
  • Smoking
  • Taking alcohol
  • self-medication
  • Emotional Stress

Lifestyle measures

  • Healthy and nutritious diet lifestyle
  • Stop smoking!
  • Stop alcohol!
  • Avoid self medication
  • Report your emotional stress to your doctor, meanwhile visit lordsforerunner.org
Disability
  • Early initiation of rehabilitation program
  • Stop smoking!
  • Stop alcohol!

Risk Factors

  • Late reporting of illness or abdomen problem to the hospital
  • self-medication
  • Smoking
  • Taking alcohol

Lifestyle measures

  • Early hospital visit when ill
  • Avoid self medication
  • Stop smoking!
  • Stop alcohol!
Death

Risk Factors

  • Unhealthy lifestyle

Lifestyle measures

  • Healthy lifestyle
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