Abdominal pain can be the result of a number of issues, some more serious than others. Pain that feels like a stomachache could be caused by another abdominal organ or even from one outside of your digestive system.
Almost everyone will experience abdominal pain at some point in their life. Abdominal pain doesn’t necessarily mean an emergency or an underlying disease. It can be caused by constipation, overeating, stress, gas, or even muscle strain. The level of your pain may not reflect the seriousness of the root cause, but if your pain is unexplained, persistent, or severe, seek medical care.
In order to determine how serious your abdominal pain is, you can talk to a gastroenterologist near you. Our dedicated team at Charleston GI is here to help you get to the bottom of your stomach pain.
When you experience pain in your abdomen, it might feel hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain begins and ends or say exactly how it feels. Here are some ways to describe pain in your abdomen:
Generalized pain: This term describes pain when it is felt in more than half of your abdomen. This type of pain is more common with a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas. When generalized pain becomes more severe, it may indicate a blockage in the intestines.
Localized pain: This is when pain is located in only one area of your abdomen. This type of pain is more likely to be caused by a specific organ, like your appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.
Cramp-like pain: Most of the time, cramp-like pain isn’t serious. This type of pain can be caused by gas or bloating. If it lasts longer than 24 hours, occurs often, or is accompanied by a fever or rectal bleeding, it can indicate a more serious condition.
Colicky pain: This type of pain often starts and ends suddenly, coming in waves of severe pain. Gallstones and kidney stones commonly cause this type of pain.
CAUSE
Abdominal pain can be a result of a variety of causes or conditions.
Less serious causes of abdominal pain may include:
There are certain conditions, procedures, medications, or diseases that can lead to an increased risk of abdominal pain. Those can include chemotherapy, organ transplants, AIDS, diabetes, and sickle cell anemia. Other potential risk factors include:
If you’re experiencing unexplained, persistent, or severe abdominal pain, if you are pregnant or have been injured, seek medical care as soon as possible. If your abdominal pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists in Charleston:
Shortness of breath or symptoms that get worse with exertion
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Blood, urine, and stool tests
CT scan
Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy: Inserts a tube through the rectum into the colon to look at your GI tract
Abdominal ultrasound
Upper endoscopy: Inserts a tube through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine to look at the upper GI tract
Abdominal x-ray
TREATMENT
The treatment you receive for your abdominal pain will depend on the underlying causes of the pain, your age, and your medical history. If you’re dealing with a viral stomach bug or indigestion, your doctor may suggest resting your stomach and avoiding eating for a short period of time.
Some underlying causes may be alleviated or treated with medication, including:
For gas, medications like Gas-X
Heartburn can be treated with antacids like Prilosec, Nexium, or Pepcid
Constipation can be alleviated with stool softeners
For diarrhea cramping, a medication like Imodium or Kaopectate
Often, abdominal pain can relieve itself without treatment, but if the pain is severe and persistent, or if you experience any of the below symptoms, talk to your primary care physician or gastroenterologist as soon as possible:
Bloody stools
Painful urination
Blood in the urine
Severe pain that lasts several days
Heartburn that can’t be treated with OTC drugs
PREVENTION
Slow down. There’s no rush.
Take small bites and chew your food well. Take your time eating your meals, as swallowing air with big bites can increase gas in your stomach and cause pain.
Change how often you eat.
Eating smaller meals and snacks throughout the day can prevent abdominal pain caused by an empty stomach.
Watch what you eat.
Fatty, fried, and spicy foods can be difficult to digest and can cause abdominal pain.
Focus on increasing your intake of vegetables and fiber for healthy digestion.
Listen to your gut.
If certain foods like milk or gluten products cause stomach pain, talk to your doctor. You might have a food intolerance. You can work with your doctor to safely adjust your diet.
Thirsty? Choose water.
Regularly drinking water can help regulate your digestive tract. Limit soda, alcohol, and caffeine as they can cause gas, stomach pain, or an upset stomach.
Wash your hands.
Wash your hands often to avoid stomach bugs that cause pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
Take a deep breath.
Stress can cause stomach pain. Try getting regular exercise, meditation, hobbies, or simply spending time with friends. If you’re having difficulty managing your stress, talk to a doctor or therapist.
When it comes to your abdominal pain, red flags to look out for include persistent pain, especially when accompanied by a rigid abdomen, pain radiating to the back, yellowing of the skin, dark urine, and pale stools. If your pain is unrelenting or you experience difficulty breathing, this could indicate a heart or lung issue, so seek medical help.
Which important organs are near the human abdomen?
The abdomen is a hollow, fluid-filled space located in the middle of the body. The organs in the abdomen include the stomach, large intestines, small intestines, liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder. The ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes are also located in the abdomen.
What is the difference between stomach pain and abdominal pain?
Your stomach is located in your upper abdomen on the left-hand side, so stomach pain will be more specific to that area. Abdominal pain can occur anywhere in between your ribs and your pelvis - the area known as the abdomen.
What does abdominal pain feel like?
Abdominal pain can be felt anywhere between your ribs and your pelvis. This pain can be felt as aching, burning, twisting, stabbing, dull, or cramping. It can be localized, feeling specific to one area or organ, or it can be generalized, being felt generally all over the abdomen.
How common is stomach pain?
Almost everyone will experience some type of abdominal pain at some point in their lives. Most likely, this pain isn’t serious and will resolve itself. Trust your gut - if the pain is persistent, severe, or unexplained, talk to your gastroenterologist.
What does abdominal pain location tell you?
The location of your abdominal pain is an important clue for your doctor when determining the root cause of your pain. The area in your abdomen where you’re feeling pain can tell your doctor which organs are involved. The location of your pain is only one factor in finding the cause of the issue.
What are the most common causes of abdominal pains?
Most of the common causes of abdominal pain are often not serious and temporary. They’re often related to digestion, menstruation, or a temporary infection. Here are some of the common causes of abdominal pain:
Digestive issues: Abdominal pain after eating can be caused by indigestion, gas, constipation, Diarrhea, food allergies and intolerances, or food poisoning.
Inflammation: Irritation or infection in your organs can result in temporary inflammation, conditions may include viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), peptic ulcer disease, chronic acid reflux, or a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Female reproductive cycle
Why does my stomach hurt after sex?
Stomach aches following sex are often caused by gas or constipation. Intercourse can irritate the bladder due to its location in front of the uterus. STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause stomach pains after sexual activity.
Experiencing abdominal pain following sexual activity can be a result of a variety of underlying issues. Talk to your doctor or gastroenterologist to learn more.
Why am I getting sharp pains in my stomach on and off?
Sharp pains in the abdomen can be caused by gas, a stomach virus, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cysts, gallstones, and other conditions. The location, the type of pain, and other factors come into play when it comes to diagnosing your abdominal pain.
Does the pain come and go?
Depending on your condition, abdominal pain may come and go. Abdominal pain that is moderate to severe and comes in waves is known as colicky pain. Other abdominal pain-causing conditions can result in constant pain, like stomach ulcers, an abdominal infection, or pancreatitis.
What are the 5 Fs of abdominal pain?
If you’re experiencing abdominal pain that is accompanied by a distended abdomen, your doctor may use the five Fs to diagnose your condition. The Fs are flatus (gas), fetus (pregnancy), feces (impacted poop), fluid (from a variety of causes), or fat.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY, NO REFERRAL NEEDED
If you’re experiencing uncomfortable abdominal pain, talk to our team here at Charleston GI in Charleston, SC. At Charleston GI, we are committed to a higher standard of caring, so we are dedicated to finding a treatment for your needs that fits you best.
