How Can You Treat Abdominal Pain?
At some point or another, just about everyone will experience abdominal pain. While most occurrences are not serious and can be easily diagnosed and treated, some pain can be more serious. When it comes to abdominal pain it is important to be able to recognize Abdominal Pain symptoms that are severe and to know when to call your gastroenterologist.
Whether you are suffering from a mild stomachache, multiple things can cause sharp pain, or stomach cramps, abdominal pain. Some of the most common causes are:
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Stomach virus
- Menstrual cramps
- Food poisoning
- Food allergies
- Gas
- Lactose intolerance
- Ulcers
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Gallstones
- Hernia
- Kidney stones
- Crohn’s disease
- Urinary tract infection
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Appendicitis
Most causes of abdominal pain are not serious and can be resolved with medication or diet changes. Acute abdominal pain, which happens suddenly, is often the result of a stomach virus or gas. Ongoing or chronic, abdominal pain can be often attributed to ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or other chronic conditions.
However, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. Abdominal pain after an accident or during pregnancy, for example, should always be evaluated as soon as possible. If there is fever present, the abdomen is tender to the touch, or the pain lasts more than a few hours, a doctor should be contacted. Vomiting blood or passing bloody or tar-like stools or breathing difficulties associated with abdominal pain should be considered medical emergencies.
Talk to your New York, NY gastroenterologist if you are experiencing abdominal pain that does not subside, progresses, and is accompanied by fever and other symptoms, as it is important to seek treatment immediately. Your gastroenterologist will work with you to create an appropriate treatment plan.
