Abdominal Pain in Connecticut
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Patients often have difficulty finding words to explain abdominal pain. It can be described as lower abdominal pain, pain in the upper abdomen, upper stomach pain, stomach pain, etc. Abdominal pain can present as any manner of discomfort in the area between the chest and the pelvis. It might seem vague and difficult to explain. Often, abdominal pain can be a minor issue, but it is still important to take note of your body and any signs it is sending you. There can be several possible conditions or reasons that could be at the root of your stomach pain. If you struggle with frequent here-and-there stomach issues, it could be time to visit a specialist who offers treatment for abdominal pain in Connecticut. You can connect with a gastroenterology specialist by calling a Connecticut GI location in your area.
What causes abdominal pain?
Several less serious concerns can cause stomach or abdominal pain. These can often include:
- Bloating
- Poisoning from food: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Pain often occurs in the lower abdomen but can be in any portion of the abdomen. Pain may worsen shortly after eating.
- Food allergies (such as gluten intolerance or lactose intolerance). Common food allergies include tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs.
- Difficulty passing hard stool
- A potential stomach virus: This could be a stomach flu or another virus.
Other conditions with the potential for greater danger that cause abdominal pain are:
- Cholecystitis: Swelling of the gallbladder that presents as severe discomfort in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Diverticulitis: Infection/inflammation of the colon. This may progress to bowel blockage and abdominal swelling.
- Insufficient supply of blood to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This could be due to a blocked blood vessel and may affect intestinal health.
- Ulcerative colitis: IBS that can manifest in abdominal and rectal cramping and pain.
- Ulcers: Sores in the stomach lining that can present with abdominal pain.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): Experienced when stomach acid pushes back into the esophagus. Symptoms might involve frequent heartburn.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms could include severe and long-lasting abdominal pain and/or a change in bowel habits.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: Inability of digested material to pass through the intestine.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. This can feel like a dull pain in one's abdomen that transfers to the lower right abdomen and becomes sharper.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms manifest as severe pain in one's back and side from the groin to the lower abdomen.
- Cancer of the stomach: Symptoms may include pain and unusual “fullness” in one's upper abdomen.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation in the pancreas. Pain is often experienced in the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that presents with frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain.
What are the causes of lower abdominal pain?
Sometimes, pain in one's abdomen can be isolated to the lower portion of the abdominal area. Some common causes of lower abdominal pain include:
- Indigestion: Discomfort resulting from indigestion in one's lower abdomen is usually due to acid accumulation after eating.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease): A term describing any chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
- Gas: Presents as the sensation of pressure in your abdomen and can include burping and flatulence.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of the walls of the intestines.
- Hernia: When a part of the body or organ forces its way into the abdominal wall.
- IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome): Common disorder of the large intestine.
- Lactose intolerance: The inability to fully digest lactose found in dairy.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. This can present as a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and worsens.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. It may be characterized by fever, cramping, or nausea.
- Constipation: Difficulty passing and/or the inability to pass stool.
- Celiac disease (celiac sprue): Triggered response of the body to gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye.
- Bowel blockage: The complete halting of digested material from making its way through the intestine.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
Emergency treatment may be required if you or a loved one have severe unceasing abdominal pain accompanied by any of the following issues. Abdominal pain should most certainly be evaluated by an emergency physician immediately if:
- Pain travels from your stomach to the back
- Your stomach is incredibly tender to the touch
- You have a fever associated with your abdominal pain
- Bloody stool or bloody urine
- A difficult time breathing or chest pain
- Inability to eat without vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Unusual heartbeat
The best guideline is that it is better to be safe than sorry. If your stomach pain is recurring and maybe not severe, meeting with your nearest gastrointestinal provider may still be advisable. Our experienced gastroenterologists regularly care for people with abdominal pain in Connecticut and are ready to help you with your gastrointestinal needs. Blood in your stool should never be ignored and should be evaluated by a medical provider. Should you have blood in your stool, we urge you to connect with a Connecticut GI location immediately.
What treatments are available for abdominal pain?
Because there are so many different causes of abdominal pain, the most effective and efficient way to treat abdominal pain is to seek a diagnosis from a GI specialist. The physician-led group of gastroenterologists at Connecticut GI aspires to offer the highest standard of patient-centric service. As experts in gastrointestinal health, our specialists are happy to perform many diagnostic tests and offer treatment for several conditions that cause pain in one's abdomen. To connect with a gastroenterologist who offers treatment for abdominal pain in Connecticut, please call one of our locations immediately to request a consultation.
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