Abdominal Pain Specialist

What causes abdominal pain?

The most frequent causes of abdominal pain are common conditions such as indigestion, menstruation, constipation, or a stomach virus. However, in some cases, abdominal pain may be due to other causes, such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn's disease
• Food poisoning
• Food allergies
• Lactose intolerance
• Ulcers
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Hernia
• Gallstones
• Kidney stones
• Endometriosis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Appendicitis

If the pain is severe, contact Gastroenterology Clinic of San Antonio for advice. If the pain is accompanied by a fever, more than two days of vomiting, you’re becoming dehydrated, you haven’t had a bowel movement for a few days, or you experience pain when urinating, you should also call the office.

Urgent medical attention is necessary if in addition to experiencing pain any of the following applies:

• You’re vomiting blood
• Your stools are bloody or black and tarry
• You have difficulty breathing
• You can’t stop vomiting
• Your abdomen is swollen
• Your skin is yellow
• You’re pregnant

There are many possible reasons why you might be experiencing abdominal pain, most of which aren’t a cause for concern. Understanding what symptoms you need to watch out for and when you should see Dr. Martinez is the best way to approach dealing with abdominal pain.

How is abdominal pain diagnosed?

As there are so many possible causes for your stomach pain, Dr. Martinez first reviews your medical history, then carries out a physical exam and asks you to describe your symptoms. Being able to describe the pain and where you feel it helps narrow down the cause, so tell him if the pain feels sharp, stabbing, or aching, and where it hurts the most.

He’ll also look at lifestyle factors, what you’ve been doing, and the pattern of your pain — for example, does the pain migrate to other areas, is it constant or does it ease off at times, and what makes it feel worse or better.

Dr. Martinez may recommend further testing to confirm his diagnosis. He may ask for one or several tests, including:

• Urine or stool samples
• Blood test
• Barium drink or enema
• Endoscopy
• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT scan

Once Dr. Martinez diagnoses the cause of your pain, you can start the correct course of treatment. There are a variety of treatment options available depending on the cause of your pain, and Dr. Martinez tailors these treatments to each individual patient to achieve the optimal outcome.

If you have concerns about abdominal pain, call Gastroenterology Clinic of San Antonio or schedule an appointment online today.