Abdominal Pain Flashcards
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as it may be a symptoms of a serious illness or condition. Abdominal pain (stomach pain) has a large number of causes and should be investigated by a top gastroenterologist. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic and can be caused by issues relating to the stomach, appendix, gallbladder, spleen, bowel, liver and gynecological issues. Occasionally, pain can be felt in the abdomen but is referred from organs close to the abdomen such as the lower lungs, kidneys or gynecological structures. It is therefore important to see a gastroenterologist, such as the NYC board certified gastroenterologist Dr. Shawn Khodadadian, for an examination and further investigation to understand the cause of your pain.
If you’re suffering from abdominal pain in Manhattan or in one of the other boroughs, your abdominal pain can be a mild inconvenience treatable with over-the-counter remedies, or it can be a sign of a serious illness that deserves immediate attention by a best in class gastroenterologist.
Causes of Abdominal Pain
Most often, abdominal pain does not signal a medical emergency. The list of potential causes of abdominal pain is long and includes the following:
Bile duct inflammation (cholangitis)
Bladder, kidney or spleen infection
Colon cancer
Constipation
Crohn’s disease
Excessive gas and bloating
Food allergies
Food or lead poisoning
Gallbladder inflammation
Gallstones
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Gluten intolerance (Celiac disease)
Heightened ketone levels (diabetic ketoacidosis)
Hernia
Indigestion
Inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis)
Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis)
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Inflammation of the small intestine (duodenitis)
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)
Intestinal obstruction
Irritable bowel syndrome
Kidney disease (uremia)
Kidney stones
Lactose intolerance
Large intestine inflammation (diverticulitis)
Less blood to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia)
Liver disease (hepatitis)
Lymphatic cancer (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
Pneumonia
Ruptured spleen
Sickle cell anemia
Stomach lining inflammation (gastritis)
Stomach virus or flu
Strained, pulled, or injured abdominal muscle
Swollen lymph nodes (mesenteric lymphadenitis)
Torn or punctured colon
Ulcer(s)
Urinary tract infection
Women must add other potential causes to the list:
Fallopian tube inflammation (salpingitis)
A fertilized egg outside your uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
Infection of your reproductive organs (pelvic inflammatory disease)
Menstrual cramps
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cysts
Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz)
Tissue growing outside your uterus (endometriosis)
Diagnosing Abdominal Pain
If your pain is localized, its location (high or low, left or right, front or back) can help GI specialist narrow down the cause. The duration and intensity of the pain can also point your GI doctor to a likely cause. Associated symptoms, such as diarrhea or fever, also signal particular causes.
When you come to consultation to the Upper East Side NYC office Dr. Khodadadian will review your medical history and symptoms before performing a comprehensive examination. If necessary, Dr. Khodadadian or your GI doctor will order tests on your blood, urine and/or stool. In some cases, he will prescribe an X-ray, a CT scan or even an endoscopy, colonoscopy, small bowel capsule or other medical diagnostic procedure.
Determining the correct diagnosis means you will get the correct care. Any doctor can treat your symptoms, but only an expert gastroenterologist like Dr. Khodadadian can pinpoint the reason for your pain and take steps to treat it at its source.
Treating Abdominal Pain
Treating abdominal pain depends on an accurate diagnosis by the GI doctor. A stomach ache, for example, may require only an antacid. Cancer, on the other hand, requires extensive and invasive treatment delivered over several months.
Treatment options available from your GI doctor normally range from avoiding certain foods, to anti-inflammatory medications, to antibiotics, and to surgery. To find out more about your specific treatment options, come to Manhattan Gastroenterology for an office visit so Dr. Khodadadian can determine an accurate diagnosis. Once he knows the cause of your abdominal pain, he can discuss your options for treating it.
