Abdominal Pain in Arizona
Ready to Consult a GI Physician?
Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Patients often have a difficult time verbalizing abdominal pain. Sometimes described as lower abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, upper stomach pain, stomach pain, etc. Abdominal pain can manifest as any form of discomfort between the chest and the pelvis. It can be non-specific and difficult to put into words. A lot of the time, abdominal pain can be a relatively insignificant issue but it is always important to pay attention to your body and the signals that it is sending you. There might be numerous possible conditions or reasons for your stomach pain. If you struggle with consistent now-and-then stomach concerns, it may be time to visit a doctor who can provide treatment for abdominal pain in Arizona. You can locate a gastrointestinal doctor in your area by contacting Arizona Digestive Health.
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
Abdominal or stomach pain could be caused by a few less serious situations. These commonly are:
- Food poisoning: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- An excess of gas
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Pain often occurs develops in the lower abdomen but can be anywhere in the abdomen. Pain may increase shortly after eating.
- Allergies to foods (such as gluten intolerance or lactose intolerance). Common food allergies include tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs.
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia)
- Difficulty passing hard stool
- A potential stomach virus: This could be a stomach flu or other virus.
Additional and potentially more serious conditions that present with abdominal pain are:
- Colon cancer: Symptoms can include extreme and lengthy pain in the abdomen, and/or change in bowel habits.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): This occurs when stomach acid regurgitates back into the esophagus. Symptoms can involve recurring heartburn.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: Prevention of digested waste to pass through the intestine.
- Ulcerative colitis: IBS that can result in abdominal and rectal cramping and pain.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms present with extreme pain in the back and side from the groin to the lower abdomen.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder that can present as severe pain in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. This may feel like a dull pain in one's abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and grows sharper.
- Pancreatitis: Swelling of the pancreas. Pain is felt from the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Cancer of the stomach: Symptoms might include pain and an unusual feeling of “fullness” in the upper abdomen.
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that results in frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Diverticulitis: Infection/swelling of the colon. This might progress to bowel blockage and abdominal swelling.
- Decreased blood supply to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This could be the result of a blocked blood vessel and might affect intestinal operation.
- Ulcers: Sores in the stomach lining that can result in abdominal pain.
What are the causes of lower abdominal pain?
In some cases, abdominal pain could be localized to the lower portion of the abdomen. Some common causes of pain in the lower abdomen include:
- Gas: Presents as the sensation of pressure in your abdomen and might include flatulence and burping.
- Indigestion: Discomfort from indigestion in one's lower abdomen is rare and a result of a buildup of acid after eating.
- IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome): Common disorder affecting the large intestine.
- Lactose intolerance: The adverse reaction to lactose (found in dairy) due to an inability to digest it.
- Bowel obstruction: The stoppage of digested waste from traveling through the intestine.
- Celiac sprue (Celiac disease): Adverse reaction to to gluten, found in rye, wheat, and barley.
- Irritable bowel disorder (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis): The term for any chronic swelling of the digestive tract.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. Could manifest as cramping, nausea, and fever.
- Constipation: The inability to pass and/or difficulty passing stool.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of the walls of the intestines.
- Appendicitis: Swelling of one's appendix. This can feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and grows sharper/intensifies.
- Hernia: When another part of the body or organ pushes into the abdominal wall.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
If you or a loved one are suffering from extreme unceasing abdominal pain along with any of the below listed symptoms, emergency assistance may be needed. Abdominal pain should be treated by an emergency physician urgently if:
- Pain extends from the stomach to the back
- Your stomach is extremely tender to the touch
- You have a fever associated with your abdominal pain
- Bloody stool or bloody urine
- A difficult time breathing or pain in your chest
- Unable to eat without vomiting
- Blood in your vomit
- Irregular heartbeat
The best rule of thumb is to not take any risks. If the pain in your stomach is recurring and perhaps not excruciating, consulting with your nearest gastroenterologist may still be necessary. Our skilled professionals regularly provide treatment for individuals with abdominal pain in Arizona and can help you with your GI concerns. Blood in the stool should never be ignored and should most certainly be evaluated by a medical provider. Should you have blood in your stool, we implore you to get in touch with Arizona Digestive Health immediately.
Treatment of abdominal pain
Because of the multitude of abdominal pain instigators, the most effective and efficient way to treat abdominal pain is to seek a diagnosis from a GI physician. The physician-led group of gastroenterologists at Arizona Digestive Health aims to deliver the highest quality, patient-focused service. As leaders in digestive health, our physicians are able to conduct a number of diagnostic tests and offer treatment for a vast array of factors that cause abdominal pain. To connect with a specialist who provides treatment for abdominal pain in Arizona, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
Reviews
Had a tremendous pleasant experience.
Dr. G is great. He was attentive and explained things clearly and efficiently. His support staff is great too. I was seen on time & the appointment was quick but not at all rushed. I highly recommend Dr. G!
Dr. Stein suggested a CT scan due to my abdominal pain. He called me at 7:19am and advised me I needed to see a urologist ASAP due to a kidney stone blocking my ureter. Rose, the office scheduler, called my urologist, performed a major miracle of getting me in that afternoon and sent the CT info, my insurance info and all the details to Dr. borhan’s office. I was scheduled for surgery 2 days later. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Stein for listening to me, suggesting the CT scan and calling me personally with the results. Rose got me a same day appointment with a urologist who is booked months in advance and sent all the necessary info prior to my appointment. Words cannot express my gratitude to these two professionals. I highly recommend Dr. Stein at Arizona Digestive Health of Mesa!
I had severe abdominal pain and determined it was not an organ issue but a very rare nerve entrapment problem. Saved an unnecessary surgery that would not have solved the problem.
I have a complicated gastric history that includes old-fashioned surgical colicystectomy, gastric bypass and cancer of the appendix. Chronic abdominal pain, literally since before the turn of the century. Relocating to Mesa from Colorado brought into Dr Vulcano’s care. He diagnosed the common duct blockage and it was repaired with surgery. The daily pain is gone and he was the only doctor to cure me. I’m forever grateful.
11
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating