When to Seek Medical Care for a Stomachache

A stomachache can be a temporary symptom of gastrointestinal upset, but if your pain is chronic or severe, don’t put off a visit to AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness.

Our team of board-certified anesthesiologists offers personalized pain management services for abdominal pain that goes beyond an occasional stomachache.

We focus on managing pain and improving overall wellness with lifestyle changes, medications, and other innovative therapies.

Why you have a stomachache

A stomachache is a discomfort or pain in the abdominal region. It often feels like a dull ache or mild cramps.

These symptoms may be the result of infections in the stomach, intestines, or other gastrointestinal organs. You can also experience a stomachache from:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Stomach virus
• Food intolerances

A stomachache caused by these conditions typically goes away within a few days. In some cases, changing your diet can provide reliable stomachache relief. You can also use over-the-counter medicines to settle your stomach or treat constipation.

However, chronic or intense stomach pain may be a complication of a more serious condition that requires medical attention.

Serious causes of abdominal pain

AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness offers diagnostic services in the office to identify more serious causes of abdominal pain. Our team has extensive experience assessing your health to diagnose conditions like:

Ulcers

An ulcer is an open sore that develops in the stomach's lining. It causes pain in the middle of the abdomen, especially after eating. The pain can last for a few days or weeks and is accompanied by belching, nausea, and vomiting.

An ulcer can lead to serious infection and digestive tract blockages if left unmanaged.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation or infection of the appendix. Pain starts near the navel and can radiate into the lower right abdomen.

If left untreated, an infected or inflamed appendix can burst and result in a life-threatening infection known as sepsis.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis develops when small pockets in the intestinal lining (diverticula) become inflamed or infected.

Severe stomach pain and cramping on the left side of the abdomen are common symptoms of diverticulitis. You can also experience fever, vomiting, nausea, and changes in bowel movement.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD occurs when weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter above the stomach allows acids to flow back into the upper digestive tract. Over time, acid can damage the esophageal lining and lead to inflammation, pain, and cell changes that increase risk factors for cancer.

Abdominal pain from GERD is typically felt in the upper stomach and lower chest. Eating spicy or acidic foods can make pain worse.

When to seek medical help for abdominal pain

Because a variety of underlying health issues can trigger pain in the abdominal region, you mustn’t ignore your symptoms.

Our pain management team recommends that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms like:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Skin discoloration
• High fever
• Unintended weight loss

Our team reviews your medical history and can order bloodwork or imaging tests to check your stomach for infection, inflammation, or trauma. Based on the results of your evaluation, our physicians create a care plan to ease pain and treat its underlying cause.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness in Garden City or Brooklyn, New York, today to schedule an evaluation for abdominal pain. You can also use the online feature to book a consultation.