Your stomach works hard to digest your food. Wth the complicated processes it’s undergoing, it’s only natural to occasionally experience some discomfort in your abdominal region.
But when your abdominal pain is ongoing, persistent, or severe, it can be a sign it’s time to see a gastrointestinal specialist like Jean Welsh, MD, at Primary & Alternative Medical Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Here’s what conditions can make your stomach hurt, and when you should get medical help for abdominal pain.
Occasional abdominal pain can happen to anyone. Stomach aches, cramps, and mild discomfort that occur occasionally and resolve within a few hours don’t usually require medical attention.
However, stomach symptoms that occur regularly can mean you have an abdominal condition that needs to be treated. Make an appointment for evaluation if any of these symptoms occur chronically and cause regular discomfort or disruption to your life:
Request an immediate appointment or seek emergency care if you’ve had abdominal trauma, severe and sudden pain or swelling, persistent vomiting and nausea, or a bloody stool.
Gastrointestinal problems can have many causes. One of the most common is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS is a chronic condition caused by dysregulation in your digestion. It causes unpleasant symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, and discomfort in your lower abdomen that continues for at least three months.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is another common abdominal condition characterized by chronic acid reflux. You might experience a burning sensation in your stomach and an unpleasant taste in the back of your mouth, especially after eating.
Other common conditions that can cause abdominal pain include:
Occasionally, chronic abdominal pain can also indicate serious problems like abdominal cancers and hepatitis. If you have severe acute pain, we need to check right away to see if you have a condition like appendicitis that requires emergency care.
Our team diagnoses your abdominal pain by listening to your symptoms, performing an examination, and ordering lab or imaging testing. Once we reach a diagnosis, we develop a treatment plan.
Treatment options are available for most chronic abdominal pain. Many conditions improve by making a few simple lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet or sleeping position.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications can relieve symptoms and help your body digest food more comfortably. Some more serious abdominal problems require surgery to remove a blockage or obstruction causing you pain.
Without treatment, abdominal pain can disrupt your life and cause further problems. Fortunately, treatment that improves your quality of life is possible for nearly all abdominal issues.
If abdominal pain is getting in the way of your life, contact us for solutions and relief.
