The causes of both acute and chronic abdominal pains may be different among persons within different age-groups as a result of the age effect on predisposition to certain causative factors (Budhram & Bengiamin, 2013).
Acute abdominal pain in 20-year old versus 50-year-old males
For a 20-year old male, acute abdominal pains may be caused by various gastrointestinal conditions that are more prevalent within this age-group, mainly due to lifestyle issues. Among these factors include; gastritis and GERD (Budhram & Bengiamin, 2013). These two conditions may be caused by increased intake of acidic foods and drinks such as coffee and tea. Additionally, an acute abdominal pain for a 20-year-old male may be caused by constipation or irritable bowel disorder.
However, for a 50-year old male, acute abdominal pains may be caused mainly by an acute exacerbation of an underlying condition. Aging is associated with various alterations in the gastrointestinal system that may trigger or worsen an underlying condition (Budhram & Bengiamin, 2013). These include peptic ulcers, intestinal obstruction or an acute urinary retention.
Chronic abdominal pain in 20-year-old versus 50-year-old males
In young adults, chronic abdominal pain may be caused by conditions such as indigestion, stomach irritation due to use of NSAIDS and drugs such as aspirin, liver conditions such as hepatitis as well as parasitic infections that may cause chronic pain such as giardiasis (Budhram & Bengiamin, 2013).
Nonetheless, for older adults, the causes of chronic pain may include cancer (colon, stomach or pancreatic) as well as irritable bowel syndrome or excessive use of NSAIDS. Aging is associated with the increased predisposition to certain forms of gastrointestinal cancers and this is a major cause of chronic abdominal pains among older adults (Martinez & Mattu, 2014). On the other hand, due to age-related gastrointestinal alterations, the likelihood of irritable bowel syndrome increases. Assumedly, a 50-year-old male may have a higher predisposition to pain, hence increased use of pain relievers such as NSAIDS. Increased and excessive use of these drugs is evidently linked with chronic abdominal pains (McPhee, Papadakis & Tierney, 2010).
References
Budhram, G. R., & Bengiamin, R. N. (2013). Abdominal pain. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby.
Martinez, J. P., & Mattu, A. (2014). Abdominal pain in the elderly. Geriatric Emergency Medicine, 94.
McPhee, S. J., Papadakis, M. A., & Tierney, L. M. (Eds.). (2010). Current medical diagnosis & treatment 2010. New York:: McGraw-Hill Medical.
