Abdominal Pain

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain describes discomfort and pain you might feel in between your chest and pelvic area. This type of pain can occur on occasion due to certain foods you eat, overeating, or excess gas. 

However, chronic abdominal pain may indicate you have a more serious condition that affects one or more of the major organs in the abdomen, such as your:

• Liver
• Spleen
• Kidneys
• Appendix
• Intestines
• Gallbladder

In addition to pain, you may also experience other persistent and unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea, bloating, vomiting, and constipation.

What causes abdominal pain?

Chronic abdominal pain may be the result of an infection or inflammation. You may also develop pain due to obstructions in your intestines or other organs, or because of symptoms like:

• Gallstones
• Appendicitis
• Diverticulitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Food intolerances
• Irritable bowel disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

If you suffer direct trauma to the abdomen, it can also result in persistent pain and other health complications.

When you can’t relieve abdominal pain with home remedies, it’s important that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland.

How is abdominal pain diagnosed?

The medical team at Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland offers the latest diagnostic technologies on-site for your convenience. Initially, your doctor reviews your medical history and carefully listens to your symptoms to hone in on the cause of your abdominal pain.

During a physical exam, your doctor checks for areas of swelling or tenderness. You may need to undergo imaging tests, like an ultrasound or MRI, so your Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland doctor can see your inner abdominal structures.

You may also need an upper endoscopy, a minimally invasive diagnostic test that can identify the cause of upper abdominal pain. This procedure involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube with an attached camera down into your esophagus. 

The camera sends real-time images back to an external monitor that your Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland doctor can view to determine a diagnosis.

What treatments are available for abdominal pain?

Your Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland doctor customizes a treatment plan to address your specific condition. For digestive issues, such as food intolerances, you may need to make certain changes to your diet to relieve and prevent pain.

For GERD and Crohn’s disease, your doctor may put you on medications to alleviate your symptoms. Gallstones that cause obstructions and chronic pain or appendicitis may need surgical intervention to address the root cause of your pain and other symptoms.

Find out more about available treatments for chronic abdominal pain by calling the office or by requesting a consultation online today.