Everyone has experienced abdominal pain at some point. Mild stomach aches often resolve on their own, but if they become persistent and frequent, it may be a sign of a serious underlying disorder. If you struggle with intermittent or constant Katy abdominal pain, you can trust the Imperial Digestive Health Specialists to provide personalized care.
An overview of abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is the cramping, tenderness, discomfort, or soreness in the middle section of your body. Many people think abdominal pain and stomach ache are the same things, but the stomach is only part of the many organs in your middle section. Your abdomen consists of the large intestines, small intestines, pancreas, stomach, gallbladder, and liver. All these organs make up your digestive system, but abdominal pain can also come from your abdominal wall. The pain can be dull or sharp, burning or achy, localized or generalized, and constant or intermittent, depending on the cause and the affected organ. Typically, pain is the only symptom of abdominal pain you can objectively describe. Since your provider can’t measure the amount of pain you are experiencing, they will always take your pain seriously. Everybody experiences abdominal pain occasionally, although most of the time, it resolves without medical intervention. However, if your pain doesn’t improve with pain relievers or worsens over time, it can signify a severe illness.
Disorders that cause abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is a common complaint among people of ages and several can trigger it, including:
- Gastroenteritis
In addition to abdominal pain, this disorder causes fluid-filled stool, nausea, and vomiting. Gastroenteritis symptoms often improve after 2 days, but if they are persistent, then you may have a severe medical condition like inflammatory bowel disease.
- Gas
You may experience gas when the bacteria in your small intestine break down foods your body is intolerant to. The increase in pressure in your intestine can lead to sharp abdominal pain. Gas can also result in belching or flatulence and restriction or tightness in your abdomen.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Medical researchers are yet to understand the biology of those with IBS being unable to digest specific types of food. Abdominal pain is a signature symptom in people with IBS and may often feel relieved after a bowel movement. Other symptoms of this disorder include bloating, nausea, cramping, and gas.
- Food intolerances
When your body is unable to digest specific foods, your stomach breaks them down, resulting in gas. A large number of undigested materials results in a lot of gas, resulting in pressure and pain. You may also experience abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and bloating. If you have a food intolerance, you will be hypersensitive to certain foods. In such cases, your doctor may recommend avoiding those foods.
- Constipation
When there is too much waste in your bowel, the pressure in your colon increases, causing pain. You may develop constipation due to too little fluid or fiber in your diet, low levels of physical activity, or a side effect of medications. This disorder can also be a sign of a blockage in your intestine or a neurological disorder.
For more information about abdominal pain, call the Imperial Digestive Health Specialists or book an appointment online.
Johnson