Abdominal Pain in Florida
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Individuals commonly have a difficult time finding the words to explain abdominal pain. It is occasionally described as lower abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, upper stomach pain, or generalized pain in the stomach. Abdominal pain can present as any form of discomfort between the pelvis and the chest. A lot of the time, abdominal pain can be something of a non-issue, but it is essential to listen to your body and any signals that it is sending you. There may be a multitude of possible conditions or contributing factors in regard to why you may be experiencing stomach pain. If you have had frequent stomach issues, it may be time to see a GI specialist who offers treatment for abdominal pain in Florida. Request a GI specialist near you by contacting Gastroenterology Associates of Florida. We will work with you to find the root cause, and treat your stomach pain.
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
Stomach or abdominal pain might be due to numerous, less serious issues. These commonly include:
- Food allergies (such as lactose or gluten intolerance). Common food allergies include nuts, milk, fish, eggs, and shellfish.
- Difficulty passing hard stool
- Gas
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Pain commonly occurs in the lower abdomen but can be in any portion of the abdomen. Pain may intensify shortly after eating.
- A potential stomach virus: This could be a stomach flu or other virus.
- Food poisoning: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia)
Other conditions with potential for greater danger that cause abdominal pain are:
- Cancer of the stomach: Symptoms can include pain and unusual “fullness” in one's upper abdomen.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): This occurs when stomach acid regurgitates backward into the esophagus. Symptoms might include recurring heartburn.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. This may feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and grows sharper.
- Ulcerative colitis: IBS which can manifest in abdominal and rectal cramping and pain.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. Pain can be experienced in the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Diverticulitis: Infection/inflammation of the colon. This may result in bowel blockage and abdominal inflammation.
- Decreased supply of blood to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This might be due to a blocked blood vessel and can affect intestinal efficiency.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: Prevention of digested material from passing through the bowel.
- Cholecystitis: Swelling of the gallbladder that can present as severe discomfort in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that presents with frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Ulcers: Sores in the lining of the stomach that can cause abdominal pain.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms manifest as severe pain in one's back and side from the groin to the lower abdomen.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms may include severe and long-lasting pain in the abdomen, and/or change in bowel habits.
What is the cause of lower abdominal pain?
In some cases, abdominal pain might be localized to the lower portion of the abdominal area. Some typical sources of lower abdominal pain include:
- Diverticulitis: Swelling or infection of the intestinal wall.
- Lactose intolerance: The inability to fully digest lactose found in dairy.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. Can be characterized by cramping, nausea, and fever.
- Constipation: The inability to pass and/or difficulty passing stool.
- Hernia: When another part of the body or organ forces its way into the wall of the abdomen.
- Bowel obstruction: The prevention of digested material from traveling through the intestine.
- Irritable bowel disorder (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis): A term describing any chronic swelling in the digestive tract.
- Indigestion: Discomfort from indigestion in the lower abdomen is rare due to the accumulation of acid after eating.
- Appendicitis: Swelling of the appendix. This might present as a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and becomes worse.
- Celiac sprue (Celiac disease): Triggered response of the body to gluten, found in rye, wheat, and barley.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the colon.
- Gas: Presents as the sensation of pressure in the abdomen and could include burping and flatulence.
For more information on the causes of lower abdominal pain, request a consultation with our GI providers at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida. We will explain the causes to you, and find out if any of the above conditions are causing it.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
If you or a loved one are experiencing extreme consistent abdominal pain along with any of the below-listed issues, emergency treatment might be required. Abdominal pain should be reviewed by an emergency physician urgently if:
- Pain travels from your stomach to your back
- Your stomach is extremely tender to the touch
- You have a fever associated with your abdominal pain
- Bloody stool or bloody urine
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Inability to eat without vomiting
- Blood in your vomit
- Unusual heartbeat
The best guideline is that it is better to be safe than sorry. If the pain in your stomach is frequent and maybe not severe, meeting with your nearest gastrointestinal provider could still be advisable. Our talented specialists routinely provide care for patients with abdominal pain in Florida and are available to help you with your gastrointestinal needs. Blood in one's stool should always be addressed and should be assessed by a medical provider. Should you have blood in your stool we implore you to contact Gastroenterology Associates of Florida today.
Treatment for abdominal pain
The most effective way to treat abdominal pain is to get the professional opinion of a gastroenterologist. The physician-led team of gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida aims to offer the highest quality, patient-centered service. As leaders in GI health, our physicians can conduct a number of diagnostic tests and offer treatment for a great number of factors that cause abdominal pain. To consult with a provider who can provide treatment for abdominal pain in Florida, please contact our practice to book an appointment.
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