What is Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain occurs between your chest and groin area and is colloquially known as a stomachache.

Your abdominal pain may manifest as cramps, aches, or sharp or dull pains that can be acute, chronic, or progressive. Your organs located in your stomach region–the appendix, gallbladder, intestines, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and spleen, can cause abdominal pain. Abdominal pain usually is not serious and can be caused by everyday things such as the food you have eaten or gas. Everyone has experienced abdominal pain in some form at some point in their life, but if your pain or symptoms become chronic, you should contact your medical professional. Some causes of pain may be benign, such as gas or constipation, but others may be more dangerous, such as colon cancer.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Prevention: Sometimes, the best way to treat abdominal pain is to prevent it from happening by making simple changes to your lifestyle habits:

Avoid smoking, alcohol, and other drugs
Eat smaller portions
Drink beverages at room temperature
Drink more water
Don’t eat food you’re allergic to or that gives you gas or indigestion
Cook your meat thoroughly
Eat a low-FODMAP diet for those with IBS or BRAT diet
Manage your stress
Heat therapy can help relieve cramps or sore muscles
Natural remedies: mint tea or candies, yoga, or ginger
Surgery: For conditions such as appendicitis or cancer, you may need surgery to remove the affected organs
Medication: Over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen, may relieve stomach pain. Pamprin or Midol can help relieve abdominal pain associated with menstruation. Medications such as Pepto Bismol or Gas-X can help relieve symptoms

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

Because a myriad of sources can cause abdominal pain, your doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam.

They’ll inquire about your symptoms, what kind of pain you’re having, the duration of your symptoms, and what you’ve already tried to relieve the pain. To better diagnose you, your doctor may order tests such as:

Stool, urine, or blood tests
Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or endoscopy
Imaging tests: X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan

Types of Abdominal Pain

Generalized: pain in more than half of your stomach
Localized: pain in one part of your stomach
Cramp-like: caused by diarrhea, bloating, gas, menstruation, constipation
Colicky: severe pain typically caused by kidney or gallstones

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

The most common cause of abdominal pain is related to the digestive system, and most abdominal pain will dissipate without medical treatment.

CAUSES

Allergies or intolerances to foods, such as lactose intolerance or Celiac Disease
Cramps associated with menstruation
Diseases affecting your organs located in your stomach, such as:
- Appendicitis
- Cancer
- Constipation
- Gall- or Kidney Stones
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Acid Reflux
- Hernia
- Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease

Irritable bowel syndrome
Kidney Disease
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Food poisoning
Pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy
Side effect from a medication
Sleeping in the wrong position or soreness following an intense abdominal or oblique workout
Stress or anxiety
Trauma to the stomach region
Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections: flu, cold, COVID-19, intestinal parasites

Schedule An Appointment Today!

The Pain Experts of Arizona was founded to bring the highest level of care in a state-of-the-art setting that emphasizes the belief of treating our patients with the same respect, compassion, and dedication we would treat our own friends and family.

Contact our office to schedule an appointment and let us help you get back on your way to an active life without the limitations of chronic pain. From our Phoenix office, The Pain Experts of Arizona, serves pain management patients in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, and the entire Phoenix area.

Abdominal Pain in Gilbert, AZ