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In fact, according to his clinical observation, one of the common complaints from women is mostly abdominal pain. And women dismiss these symptoms mostly. But this causes a delay in treatment and diagnosis at an advanced stage.

Dr Sharma shared his experience of how the situation escalates by revealing one of the frequent patterns among his patients, "I frequently see women who lived with gallstone pain for months, thinking it was acidity or indigestion. By the time they come to us, surgery is often the only option."

Describing how all kinds of pain require medical attention, he said, "Abdominal pain should never be ignored, whether it's dull, sharp, or recurring." Earlier diagnosis, as per him, helps in better outcomes. Further, when things get complicated, the doctor observed that many women regretted waiting too long.

Awareness is the first step towards acknowledging that abdominal pain is something more than everyday discomfort, particularly for women.

Dr Sharma listed 5 potential health issues abdominal pain could be associated with, along with signs when one should visit a doctor promptly:

In the end, Dr Sharma shared a very important piece of advice: "If abdominal pain is persistent or unusual for you, don't self-medicate with painkillers or dismiss it as 'normal.' A simple ultrasound or diagnostic laparoscopy can save you from serious complications."

Often, women ignore their abdominal pain due to family responsibilities, confusion with period cramps, and other reasons. Instead, they resort to home-based treatments, which often include painkillers. However, this is not the right approach, as timely diagnosis can prevent complications. As Dr Sharma reminded, modern laparoscopic treatment techniques include minimally invasive surgeries and shorter recovery times.