Abdominal pain can significantly reduce your quality of life and could be a sign of a serious medical problem. At Florida Pain Medicine our experienced pain management team diagnoses and treats abdominal pain to restore your health. At the first sign of abdominal pain, schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.
Chances are you’ll experience abdominal pain, commonly called stomach pain, at some point. Many causes of abdominal pain aren’t serious and resolve on their own after several days. However, because abdominal pain can point to a serious health problem, see the specialists at Florida Pain Medicine if your discomfort is long-lasting or severe.
Abdominal pain can present in many different forms. Examples include:
Generalized pain felt in more than half of your belly
Localized pain in just one part of your abdomen
Cramp-like pain or bloating
Pain that comes and goes
Dull pain
Sharp or severe pain
Abdominal wall/muscular pain
You might feel abdominal pain anywhere between your chest and groin area. The type and severity of your pain is an indication of what’s causing it.
There are many causes of abdominal pain. The medical team at Florida Pain Medicine reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines you. They may use urine tests, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, or endoscopy to diagnose the cause of stomach pain. Examples include:
Cancer
Postherpetic neuralgia from herpes zoster or shingles
Abdominal wall injuries
Hernia or post-abdominal surgery pain
Chronic pancreatitis, appendicitis, gallstones, or kidney stones
Viscerogenic pain syndrome
Abdominal adhesions or ulcers
Nerve entrapment
Endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Urinary tract infections
Stomach flu, lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies, and indigestion are other factors that can contribute to abdominal discomfort.
After your pain specialist determines the cause of abdominal pain, they develop a personalized treatment plan that best suits your needs. Your doctor might suggest one or more of the following:
Lifestyle changes: Sometimes making lifestyle changes can ease abdominal pain caused by a food allergy or sensitivity. Avoid foods or ingredients your body may not tolerate well, such as milk products or gluten.
Medications: Your pain management specialist might recommend you take medications that reduce inflammation and pain, antibiotics for infections, or medicines that treat ulcers or gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).
Injections: Local or spinal injections containing steroids or numbing agents help alleviate abdominal and other forms of chronic pain.
Surgery: In the case of severe abdominal pain or if you have a medical condition requiring surgical repairs, such as a hernia or appendicitis, surgery might be required to prevent complications and ease long-term pain.
Don’t let abdominal pain go untreated and lead to serious complications. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online with Florida Pain Medicine today.