ABDOMINAL PAIN Q & A
An occasional pain in your belly may not be much of a concern. However, if you’ve been experiencing ongoing or worsening of pain in your abdomen, it may indicate something more serious. At HELLOMED in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the team of skilled physicians offers high-quality diagnostic and treatment services for treating abdominal pain. Book a consultation online, by phone, or as a walk-in at the clinic.
What are the symptoms of abdominal pain?
You may experience abdominal pain from time to time. A stomach ache is a common condition that typically lasts a few days and resolves on its own. However, pain in the abdomen may indicate a more serious condition if you experience:
Severe pain
Abdominal swelling
Abdominal tenderness
Fever
Blood in your stool
Chronic nausea or vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Yellowed skin tone
If you experience a sudden onset of symptoms or worsening pain, seek emergency medical treatment.
What causes abdominal pain?
Problems with any of the structures surrounding the abdominal wall can cause abdominal pain. It’s also possible that pain from other areas of the body may feel as if it’s coming from the abdomen. In some cases, a heart attack can trigger pain in the stomach rather than the chest.
Poor dietary choices may be the cause of short-term abdominal pain and discomfort. Eating spicy foods or overeating at meals can cause temporary pain that goes away in a few hours.
Other possible causes of abdominal pain may include:
Infection
Injury
Nerve irritation
Hernias
Inflammatory conditions
Abdominal dysfunction
Vascular problems
Cancer
Women may also experience persistent abdominal pain as a result of problems with their reproductive organs, including:
Ovarian cysts or tumor
Uterine fibroids
Endometriosis
Ectopic pregnancy
How is abdominal pain diagnosed?
Your doctor at HELLOMED reviews your medical history and symptoms to determine the source of your abdominal pain. They conduct a physical exam to locate the exact location of pain. Your doctor may also request imaging tests to get a closer look at your abdominal area, including an in-office ultrasound.
In addition to visual tests, your doctor may request urine tests or blood work to check for infections or other underlying medical conditions that are causing abdominal pain.
How is abdominal pain treated?
Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor at HELLOMED may provide you with medications to alleviate pain and inflammation in the abdominal cavity.
If a diagnosis is difficult or complex, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist specialist for further treatment.
Schedule a consultation online or by phone, or walk into the clinic, to learn more about relieving abdominal pain.