Abdominal Pain in Denver, CO
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
People often have difficulty describing abdominal pain. It can be described as pain in the lower abdomen, pain in the upper abdomen, pain in the upper stomach, generalized pain in the stomach, etc. It might even be non-specific and hard to define. Abdominal pain can present as any manner of discomfort between the chest and the pelvis. Many times, abdominal pain can be a small issue but it is essential to take note of your body and any signals it is sending you. There can be numerous possible conditions or explanations in regard to the root of your stomach pain. If you suffer from consistent off-and-on stomach issues, it might be time to meet with a gastroenterologist who offers care for abdominal pain in Denver, CO. You can connect with a GI specialist near you by contacting Denver Digestive Health Specialists.
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
Stomach or abdominal pain may be a sign of several more benign situations. These typically are:
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia)
- Poisoning from food: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- Gas
- A potential stomach virus: This could be a stomach flu or another virus.
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Pain often occurs in the lower abdomen but can be in any portion of the abdomen and may worsen after eating.
- Allergies to foods (such as lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance): Common food allergies include tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs.
- Constipation
Alternate conditions (with the potential for greater danger) that also cause abdominal pain include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This occurs when stomach acid regurgitates back into the esophagus. Symptoms might involve recurring heartburn.
- Diverticulitis: Infection/inflammation of the colon. This can be the cause of bowel obstruction and abdominal swelling.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation in the pancreas. Pain is often felt from the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Stomach cancer: Symptoms may include pain and unusual “fullness” in one's upper abdomen.
- Ulcerative colitis: Inflammatory bowel disease that can result in abdominal and rectal cramping and pain.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder that presents as severe pain in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms present with severe pain in the back and side from the groin to the lower abdomen.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: The inability of digested waste to pass through the intestine.
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that presents with abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea.
- Decreased blood supply to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This can be due to a blocked blood vessel and could affect intestinal health.
- Appendicitis: Swelling in the appendix. This may feel like a dull pain in one's abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and becomes sharper.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms may include extreme and long-lasting abdominal pain and/or change in bowel habits.
- Ulcers: Sores in the lining of the stomach which can cause abdominal pain.
What are the causes of lower abdominal pain?
In some cases, abdominal pain may be isolated to the lower portion of the abdomen. Some common causes of lower abdominal pain include:
- Appendicitis: Swelling of one's appendix. This might resemble a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and intensifies.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. Could be characterized by fever, cramping, or nausea.
- Gas: Feels like pressure in the abdomen and might include flatulence and burping.
- IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome): Common disorder of the colon.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis): The term for any chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
- Lactose intolerance: The adverse reaction to lactose (found in dairy) due to an inability to digest it.
- Bowel obstruction: The stoppage of digested material from making its way through the intestine.
- Diverticulitis: Swelling or infection of the intestinal wall.
- Indigestion: Discomfort caused by indigestion in the lower abdomen is rare and is often a result of a buildup of acid following eating.
- 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.
- Hernia: When another part of the body or organ pushes into the wall of the abdomen.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
If you or a loved one are experiencing consistent pain in the abdomen in tandem with any of the below-listed symptoms, emergency intervention could be necessary. Abdominal pain should most certainly be treated by an emergency physician if:
- Pain travels from the stomach to the back
- Your stomach is extremely tender to the touch
- Your abdominal pain is accompanied by a fever
- There is blood in your urine or stool
- You have difficulty breathing or chest pain
- You're experiencing the inability to eat without vomiting
- There's blood in your vomit
- You have an unusual heartbeat
The best rule of thumb is not to take any risks. If your stomach pain is frequent and maybe not extreme, consulting with your Denver, CO GI physician might still be advisable. Our skilled specialists regularly provide treatment for people with abdominal pain and can help you with your gastrointestinal concerns.
Blood in the stool should never be ignored and should be evaluated by a medical practitioner. Should you have blood in your stool, we urge you to call your local Denver Digestive Health Specialists location today.
Treatment of abdominal pain
Because of the vast array of abdominal pain sources, the most effective and efficient way to treat abdominal pain is to seek a diagnosis from a gastrointestinal specialist. The experienced group of gastroenterologists at Denver Digestive Health Specialists strives to provide you with high-quality, patient-centric care. As leaders in GI health, our physicians are happy to perform a number of diagnostic tests and administer treatment for a wide variety of conditions that result in abdominal pain. To connect with a GI provider who can help resolve abdominal pain in Denver, CO, please contact your nearest Denver Digestive Health Specialists location without delay to request a consultation.
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