Nausea and vomiting associated with abdominal wall pain

Abstract

Chronic abdominal wall pain may be a direct or an indirect cause of persistent or intermittent nausea and vomiting. Despite diagnostic efforts by gastroenterologists, including complex imaging, causes of such pain may remain elusive. Diagnostic nerve blocks may help in establishing definitive cases of abdominal wall pain. Treatment is intended to reduce or eliminate chronic abdominal pain and control the associated nausea and vomiting. Proposed treatment algorithms include medications, trigger point injections, nerve blocks, radio frequency ablation, and neuromodulation. Nausea and vomiting associated with chronic use of medications, particularly opiates, need to be recognized and differentiated from other causes like the pain itself, anxiety, and comorbid organic disorders.