Abdominal Pain Specialist

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is a feeling of discomfort in your abdomen at or near your stomach. It might feel like a stomachache, sharp pain, dull discomfort, cramping, and/or pain that comes and goes. While many people experience abdominal pain from time to time, sharp or long-lasting discomfort can indicate that you have a medical problem requiring treatment.

See your doctor if you experience severe pain, fever, persistent nausea and vomiting, or bloody stools. Unexplained weight loss, yellow-colored skin, and abdominal tenderness or swelling can also indicate a medical problem requiring immediate medical attention.

What causes abdominal pain?

Many things can contribute to abdominal pain, including:

• Gas or indigestion
• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Food allergies
• Food poisoning
• Stomach flu
• Appendicitis
• Bowel obstruction
• Diverticulitis
• Cancer
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gallstones or kidney stones
• Pancreatitis
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Gynecological problems

When in doubt, call North Texas Gastroenterology Associates PLLC to find out if your symptoms call for a medical evaluation.

How does my doctor diagnose the cause of belly pain?

To find the cause of abdominal pain and develop a treatment plan, your specialist reviews your medical history and asks you questions about your symptoms. They complete a physical exam and might press on different parts of your abdomen to find out where the pain is.

Your specialist could recommend that you undergo a barium enema, blood, urine, and/or stool tests. They could also order a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), or upper endoscopy. They might suggest a CT scan, abdominal ultrasound, X-rays, or other imaging procedures to diagnose the root cause of your abdominal pain.

What are common abdominal pain treatments?

Your personalized treatment for abdominal pain will depend on its cause. Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes, like stress reduction, diet changes, getting regular exercise, and taking dietary supplements.

They could suggest you take over-the-counter or prescription medications or, in some cases, undergo surgery. Your GI specialist may recommend holistic, natural treatments over medication and surgery whenever possible.

Don’t live with abdominal pain or let it turn into a serious medical problem. Call North Texas Gastroenterology Associates PLLC today or book an appointment online.