Abdominal Pain in San Antonio, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Individuals often have trouble describing abdominal pain. Sometimes it is described as lower abdominal pain, pain in the upper stomach, stomach pain, etc. Abdominal pain can manifest as any form of discomfort between the chest and pelvis. It can be non-specific and difficult to define. Many times, abdominal pain can be a minor issue, but it is always important to listen to your body and figure out what it is trying to tell you. There are many possible conditions that could be causing your stomach pain. If you have had consistent now-and-then stomach problems, it may be time to see a provider who can provide treatment for abdominal pain in San Antonio, TX. Contact San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates to request a consultation with a gastrointestinal specialist.
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
Abdominal or stomach pain could be due to numerous benign issues. These typically include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Pain often occurs in the lower abdomen but can be anywhere in the abdomen. Pain may worsen soon after eating.
- Gas
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia)
- Food allergies (such as gluten intolerance or lactose intolerance): Common food allergies include nuts, milk, fish, eggs, and shellfish.
- Food poisoning: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- Constipation
- A stomach virus: This could be a stomach flu or other virus.
Other potentially more serious conditions that also manifest with abdominal pain include:
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder that can present as severe discomfort in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Occurs when stomach acid pushes back up into the esophagus. Symptoms can include recurring heartburn.
- Stomach cancer: Symptoms may include pain and an unusual feeling of “fullness” in the upper abdomen.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms can include severe and long-lasting pain in the abdomen, as well as a change in bowel habits.
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the intestines that presents with frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms may include severe pain in the back and side from the lower abdomen to the groin.
- Insufficient supply of blood to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This might be the result of a blocked blood vessel and may affect intestinal function.
- Ulcerative colitis: An IBD that can result in abdominal and rectal cramping and pain.
- Pancreatitis: Swelling in the pancreas. Pain can be felt from the upper abdomen, spreading to the back.
- Ulcers: Wounds in the stomach lining that can cause pain in the abdomen.
- Diverticulitis: Infection or swelling of the colon. This might progress to bowel obstruction and abdominal inflammation.
What are the causes of lower abdominal pain?
Sometimes, abdominal pain might be isolated to the lower portion of the abdomen. Some common root causes of lower abdominal pain include:
- Celiac disease (celiac sprue): Adverse reaction to gluten, found in rye, wheat, and barley.
- Gas: Presents as the sensation of pressure in your abdomen and could include burping and flatulence.
- 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.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. Can be characterized by fever, cramping, or nausea.
- Constipation: Difficulty and/or the inability to pass stool.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis): The term for any chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Hernia: When another body part or organ pushes into the abdominal wall.
- Bowel obstruction or blockage: Prevention of digested waste passing through the intestine.
- Appendicitis: Swelling of the appendix. This may feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that radiates to the lower right side of the abdomen and grows sharper.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of the walls of the intestines.
- Indigestion: Pain in the lower abdomen from indigestion is unusual but is due to an accumulation of acid after eating.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
If you are experiencing extreme unrelenting abdominal pain in tandem with any of the issues listed below, emergency care could be needed. Abdominal pain should be treated by an emergency physician quickly if:
- Pain travels from the stomach to the back
- Your stomach is excessively tender to the touch
- Your abdominal pain is accompanied by a fever
- There is blood in your urine, stool, or vomit
- You have trouble breathing or pain in your chest
- You are unable to eat without vomiting
- You notice an unusual heartbeat
The best rule of thumb is to not take any risks. If the pain in your stomach is frequent and not excruciating, meeting with your nearest gastroenterologist could still be necessary. Our talented professionals routinely provide care for individuals with abdominal pain in San Antonio, TX and can help you with your gastrointestinal issues. Blood in the stool should always be addressed and assessed by a medical practitioner. Should you have blood in your stool, please connect with San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates immediately.
Treatment of abdominal pain
Because of the high number of abdominal pain causes, the most reliable and effective way to treat abdominal pain is to get the professional opinion of a GI specialist. The physician-led team of gastroenterologists at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates strives to provide the highest standard of patient-centered care. As leaders in gastrointestinal health, our physicians are able to conduct an array of diagnostic tests and provide treatment for a multitude of conditions that result in abdominal pain. To meet with a specialist who can provide treatment for abdominal pain in San Antonio, TX, please contact one of our locations to request a consultation.
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