Abdominal Pain Q & A
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
You have a lot of organs, muscles, and connective tissue in your abdomen, and there are a lot of issues that can trigger pain. Some of the common causes of abdominal pain include:
- Stomach flu (gastroenteritis)
- Gas
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Acid reflux
- Gastritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Peptic ulcers
- Urinary tract or bladder infections
Your abdominal pain could also be due to constipation or women’s health issues like menstrual cramping or endometriosis. In rare cases, your abdominal pain could be due to gallstones or colorectal, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
When should I talk to a doctor about abdominal pain?
Most of the time, abdominal pain goes away on its own after a day or so of rest and at-home treatments. You should call New Tampa Internal Medicine Associates to make an appointment if your abdominal pain doesn’t start to subside or gets worse as time passes.
Other signs that indicate that you should talk to Dr. Farooqui include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in your stool
- Unexplained changes in your bowel movements
- Symptoms of a urinary tract infection
- Unusual vaginal discharge
Additionally, you should seek emergency treatment if you have sudden and severe pain, if you can’t urinate, or if you have black, tarlike stools.
How do I determine the cause of my abdominal pain?
Dr. Farooqui provides thorough exams and testing to identify the cause of your abdominal pain. He talks to you in detail about your symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health. During your physical exam, he feels your abdomen for signs of swelling or other abnormalities. Dr. Farooqui also uses a variety of diagnostic tests, including blood and urine analysis and abdominal ultrasounds, to identify the issue causing your abdominal pain.
What does the treatment for abdominal pain depend on?
Treatment for abdominal pain depends on its root cause as well as how it’s affecting your life. For example, digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease often improve with dietary changes. You might also benefit from anti-inflammatory or acid-reducing medications. If you have a severe condition such as appendicitis or diverticulitis, you may need surgery to remove the infected and inflamed tissue.
If you have abdominal pain that’s interfering with your health and quality of life, call New Tampa Internal Medicine Associates or schedule a consultation online today.
