Abdominal Pain Specialist

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is discomfort that can happen after eating, as your food moves through your intestines or during bowel movements. This pain can occur anywhere from the rib cage to the groin.

Abdominal pain is a common problem with constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, food intolerances, and food poisoning, so it should pass pretty quickly. But in some cases, a gastrointestinal disease or disorder is the underlying cause of abdominal pain.

Which gastrointestinal problems cause abdominal pain?

The many gastrointestinal causes of abdominal pain include:

• Peptic ulcers
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Gallstones
• Diverticulitis
• Celiac disease
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
• Cancers (liver, stomach, colon, and other kinds)
• Bowel blockages

Abdominal pain can also start outside the digestive system. For example, female reproductive system problems like endometriosis and uterine fibroids often cause abdominal pain. 

When should I seek help for abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is never normal, so if you’re experiencing this kind of pain regularly, it’s wise to schedule an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group when it’s convenient for you.

If you have abdominal pain alongside warning signs like fever, diarrhea, ongoing constipation, bloody stools, repeated nausea or vomiting, jaundice, or abdominal swelling, it’s best to schedule your appointment sooner rather than later.

How is abdominal pain diagnosed?

A physical exam and reviews of your symptoms and medical history are the first part of the diagnostic process at The Gastroenterology Group.

To narrow down the specific cause of your abdominal pain, you could need blood tests, imaging procedures, or minimally invasive procedures. These last include colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or capsule endoscopy.

How is abdominal pain treated?

Because there are so many possible causes of abdominal pain, many treatment approaches are available. The Gastroenterology Group customizes treatment based on your condition, symptoms, and prognosis.

You might need medication, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, or some combination of those to manage your condition properly. More severe problems require abdominal surgery, like a minimally invasive surgery to remove growths or repair damage.

You don’t have to live with abdominal pain any longer. Click on the online appointment maker or call The Gastroenterology Group to arrange your abdominal pain evaluation today.