What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain refers to any discomfort you experience from your chest to your groin. The pain may range from mild to severe. Types of abdominal pain include:
Generalized pain
Generalized pain refers to abdominal pain that you feel in more than half of your body.
Localized pain
With localized pain, your discomfort is limited to one area of your body and likely involves only one organ.
Cramp-like pain
Cramp-like abdominal pain is rarely a serious health issue and more than likely caused by gas and bloating.
Colicky-like pain
With colickly-like pain, your abdominal pain comes and goes in waves and may be severe.
What causes abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain may develop from any number of causes. In most cases, abdominal pain isn’t a serious medical concern. Common causes of abdominal pain include:
- Acid reflux
- Gastroenteritis
- Food poisoning
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Appendicitis
- Cholecystitis
- Diverticulitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Liver disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcers
- Pancreatitis
- Colon cancer
In some cases, abdominal pain may develop from conditions unrelated to the gastrointestinal system, such as kidney stones or a urinary tract infection. Women may also develop abdominal pain from gynecological conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids.
When should I seek medical care for abdominal pain?
In most cases, you can treat abdominal pain with at-home care. However, you should contact Hagerstown Gastroenterology if your abdominal pain is sudden or severe or lasts more than a week. You would benefit from an evaluation if you’re also experiencing:
- Bloody stools
- Bloating that lasts more than two days
- Diarrhea that lasts more than five days
- Poor appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
You should seek immediate medical attention if your abdominal pain is localized to your chest or shoulders or you’re also experiencing shortness of breath.
What can I expect during an abdominal pain evaluation?
You can expect a comprehensive evaluation when you come in to see Dr. Choudari at Hagerstown Gastroenterology for an abdominal pain evaluation. During your exam, Dr. Choudari reviews your symptoms, as well as your personal and family medical history.
He then conducts a physical exam, which may include diagnostic tests to better understand the underlying cause of your abdominal pain, such as:
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- MRI
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Stool testing
Based on the information gathered, Dr. Choudari develops your personalized treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your abdominal pain to alleviate your symptoms.
To schedule an evaluation for your abdominal pain, call Hagerstown Gastroenterology or request an appointment online today. Same-week appointments are available for urgent matters.
