Abdominal Pain in Indianapolis, IN
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Many patients tend to have difficulty describing the exact manner of their abdominal pain. It can be described as pain in the lower abdomen, pain in the upper abdomen, pain in the upper stomach, generalized pain in the stomach, etc. Abdominal pain can manifest as any type of discomfort in the area between the chest and the pelvis. It can be vague and difficult to put into words. Many times, pain in the abdomen can be a relatively insignificant issue, but it is always important to listen to your body and the signals that it is sending you. There are many kinds of possible conditions or contributing factors that may be the root of your stomach pain. If you struggle with unexplained stomach pains that come and go, it may be time to see a doctor who provides care for abdominal pain in Indianapolis, IN. You can find a GI physician near you by calling Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
What causes abdominal pain?
Pain in the stomach or abdomen can stem from a number of relatively minor concerns. These quite often include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Pain commonly develops in the lower abdomen but can be anywhere in the abdomen. Pain may increase shortly after eating.
- Difficulty passing hard stool
- An excess of gas
- Allergies to foods (such as gluten or lactose intolerance). Common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, and milk.
- Virus: This could be a stomach flu or other virus.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Poisoning from food: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Symptoms include abdominal cramps.
Additional and potentially more serious conditions that also result in abdominal pain are:
- Diverticulitis: Infection/swelling of the colon. This may be the cause of bowel blockage and abdominal inflammation.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): Occurs when stomach acid regurgitates back into the esophagus. Symptoms can involve frequent heartburn.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms could include severe and lengthy pain in the abdomen, as well as a change in bowel habits.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation in the pancreas. Pain is often experienced in the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Ulcerative colitis: Can result in rectal and abdominal cramps and extreme discomfort.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: Inability of digested material to pass through the bowel.
- Ulcers: Wounds in the lining of the stomach that can cause abdominal pain.
- Crohn's disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that presents with abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea.
- Insufficient supply of blood to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This may be the result of a blocked blood vessel and might affect intestinal operation.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms present with severe pain in one's back and side from the lower abdomen to the groin.
- Cholecystitis: Swelling of the gallbladder that presents as severe discomfort in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Appendicitis: Swelling in the appendix. This could feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and becomes sharper.
- Stomach cancer: Symptoms may include pain and unusual "fullness" in one's upper abdomen.
What is the cause of lower abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is sometimes isolated in the lower portion of the abdominal area. Some of the most common sources of lower abdominal pain include:
- Gas: Feels like pressure in your abdomen and may produce flatulence and burping.
- Celiac disease (celiac sprue): Triggered response of the body to gluten, which can be found in rye, wheat, and barley.
- Bowel blockage: The stoppage of digested material from traveling through the intestine.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. Can be characterized by fever, cramping, or nausea.
- Lactose intolerance: The adverse reaction to lactose (found in dairy) due to an inability to digest it.
- Indigestion: Pain resulting from indigestion in one's lower abdomen is rare and may occur as a result of a buildup of acid following meals.
- Irritable bowel disorder (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease): The term for any chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of the walls of the intestines.
- IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome): Common disorder affecting the colon.
- Appendicitis: Swelling of the appendix. This might feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and grows sharper/intensifies.
- Constipation: The inability to pass and/or difficulty passing stool.
- Hernia: When a body part or organ pushes into the wall of the abdomen.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
Emergency medical intervention may be required if you experience extreme, unceasing abdominal pain along with any of the conditions listed below. Abdominal pain should be examined by an emergency doctor immediately if:
- You have pain that travels from your stomach to your back
- Your stomach is unusually tender to the touch
- You have a fever associated with your abdominal pain
- You notice blood in your stool or urine
- You have trouble breathing or pain in your chest
- You are unable to eat without vomiting
- There is blood in your vomit
- Your heartbeat is erratic
The best advice is that it is better to be safe than sorry. If your stomach pain is frequent but mild, consulting with your nearest gastrointestinal doctor may still be advisable. Our skilled physicians commonly provide treatment for individuals with abdominal pain in Indianapolis, IN, and can help you with your GI concerns. Blood in one's stool should never be ignored and should be evaluated by a medical practitioner. Should you have blood in your stool, we strongly urge you to get in touch with Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology right away.
Professional treatment for abdominal pain
Since abdominal pain can be caused by so many different triggers, the most reliable and effective way to treat it is to first get a professional opinion from a gastrointestinal specialist. The physician-led team of gastroenterologists at Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology aspires to bring the best in patient-centered care. As leaders in GI health, our providers can perform many diagnostic tests and give treatment for a great number of conditions that result in abdominal pain. To meet with a physician who provides treatment for abdominal pain in Indianapolis, IN, please call our office today to request a consultation.
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