Abdominal Pain in Tulsa, OK
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Some people have difficulty finding the words to explain abdominal pain. It. can be described as pain in the lower abdomen, upper abdominal pain, pain in the upper stomach, generalized pain in the stomach, etc. Abdominal pain can present as any type of discomfort between the pelvis and the chest. It can be non-specific and difficult to define. Oftentimes, pain in your abdomen can be something of a non-issue but it is important to take note of your body and any messages that it is sending you. There are a number of possible conditions or reasons that could cause stomach pain. If you are having persistent here-and-there stomach troubles, it may be time to consult a specialist who cares for abdominal pain in Tulsa, OK. You can request a consultation with a GI provider near you by calling your nearest Adult Gastroenterology Associates location.
What causes abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain could be a result of benign situations. These situations can include:
- Allergies to foods (such as lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance). Common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, and milk.
- Food poisoning: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from parasites, bacteria. or viruses. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps.
- Gas.
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia).
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Pain commonly occurs in the lower abdomen but can be in any portion of the abdomen. Pain may intensify shortly after eating.
- A potential stomach virus: This could be a stomach flu or other virus.
- Difficulty passing a hard stool.
Abdominal pain could also be the cause of more severe conditions like:
- Bowel obstruction or blockage: Inability to have a bowel movement due to blockage of the intestines.
- Pancreatitis: Swelling in the pancreas. Pain is often felt from the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that presents with abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea.
- Cancer of the stomach: Symptoms may include pain and unusual “fullness” in the upper abdomen.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms can include severe and persistent pain in the abdomen, as well as a change in bowel habits.
- Ulcerative colitis: IBS that can cause discomfort in your abdomen and cause cramping and pain in your rectum.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): Occurs when stomach acid pushes back into the esophagus. Symptoms can include frequent heartburn.
- Cholecystitis: Swelling of the gallbladder that presents as severe pain in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms manifest as extreme pain in one's back and side from the lower abdomen to the groin.
- Appendicitis: Swelling of the appendix. This can feel like a dull pain in one's abdomen that transfers to the lower right abdomen and grows sharper.
- Ulcers: Sores in the stomach lining that can present with pain in the abdomen.
- Diverticulitis: Infection/inflammation of the colon. This might be the cause of bowel blockage and abdominal swelling.
- Insufficient supply of blood to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This could be the result of a blocked blood vessel and might affect intestinal function.
What are the causes of lower abdominal pain?
Sometimes, abdominal pain could be isolated to the lower portion of the abdominal area. Some common sources of pain in the lower abdomen include:
- Diverticulitis: Swelling or infection of the intestinal wall.
- Indigestion: Discomfort from indigestion in one's lower abdomen is unusual and due to an accumulation of acid following eating.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. This can feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and becomes worse.
- Celiac disease (celiac sprue): Adverse reaction to gluten, found in rye, wheat, and barley.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A common disorder affecting the large intestine.
- Gas: Presents as the sensation of pressure in the abdomen and may include flatulence and burping.
- Hernia: When a body part or organ forces its way into the abdominal wall.
- Bowel obstruction: When a bowel is blocked from traveling through the intestine.
- Constipation: Difficulty passing and/or the inability to pass stool.
- Lactose intolerance: The adverse reaction to lactose (found in dairy) due to an inability to digest it.
- IBD (Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease): A term describing any chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Stomach Flu: Infection of the intestines. Could present with fever, cramping, or nausea.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen in Tulsa, OK, we can help. Request a consultation at your nearest Adult Gastroenterology Associates location to find the cause of your abdominal pain.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
If you or a loved one are suffering from chronic pain in the abdomen accompanied by any of the following issues, emergency assistance could be required. Abdominal pain should be reviewed by an emergency physician immediately:
- Pain extends from the stomach to your back
- Your stomach is extremely tender to the touch
- You have a fever associated with your abdominal pain
- Bloody urine or bloody stool
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Inability to eat without vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Irregular heartbeat
The best advice is that it is better to be safe than sorry. If your stomach pain is frequent and perhaps not extreme, meeting with your nearest gastroenterologist is encouraged. Our skilled professionals often provide care for patients with abdominal pain and want to help you with your GI concerns.If you are experiencing chronic pain in your abdomen along with any of the issues listed above, please request a consultation at one of our Tulsa, OK locations today.
Seek treatment of abdominal pain
Because there are so many potential causes for your abdominal pain, the most reliable and effective way to treat abdominal pain is to get a professional opinion from a gastrointestinal physician. The physician-led group of gastroenterologists at Adult Gastroenterology Associates aspire to offer the best patient-focused service. As leaders in GI health, our specialists are able to perform many diagnostic tests and offer treatment for a number of factors that are responsible for abdominal pain. To consult with a provider who can provide treatment for abdominal pain in Tulsa, OK, please call our office today to request a consultation.
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