If you are experiencing abdominal pain, visit a gastroenterologist. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, any and all symptoms should be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist. Simple symptoms can signal early signs of more serious conditions, from prolonged gas to difficulty swallowing. If stomach-related symptoms turn out to be nothing more than a reaction to a change in diet or a simple infection, individuals will feel better and have peace of mind for having checked with a professional who specializes in stomach disorders. Scheduling a colonoscopy or other regular cancer screening procedure is another valid reason to visit a gastroenterologist or digestive doctor. Patients who are 45 years old or older that have not been tested for colon cancer before should make an appointment now. It could prevent serious medical complications.

There are three main things to look for that can help diagnose the source of abdominal pain, including:

Type of Pain — Dull, achy, constant pain can be related to different problems than a sharp, stabbing, fleeting pain. The type of pain can tell doctors a lot about what might be going on, so all forms of pain should be evaluated as soon as possible.

Location of Pain — Because the abdomen has multiple organs, pinpointing the exact location can be difficult. It helps to narrow it down to the upper abdomen, the lower abdomen, the right side or the left as any organ in this region can cause abdominal pain.

Additional Symptoms — If there are other symptoms associated with abdominal pain, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or indigestion, the doctor will take all of these into account when making a diagnosis.

Abdominal pain that indicates a serious medical emergency include the following, and should be treated at the ER right away:

– Constant or severe abdominal pain
– Pain associated with a high fever
– Changes in pain intensity or location
– Pain accompanied by other serious or unusual symptoms
– Pain localized to one particular area:
1. Right lower quadrant could indicate appendicitis
2. Right upper quadrant could indicate a gallbladder infection
3. Left lower quadrant could indicate a colon infection

The most common causes of abdominal pain are:

– Appendicitis
– Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
– Pancreatitis
– Gallbladder Disease
– Diverticulitis
– Small Bowel Obstruction

Lower abdominal pain in females can have several different causes, including:

Pain around the belly button
– Early appendicitis
– Stomach ulcers

Pain just above the pubic bone
– Bladder pain
– Period pain
– Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pain on one side
– Ovulation pain
– Ovarian cysts
– Ectopic pregnancy
– Endometriosis
– Appendicitis
– Pyelonephritis
– Muscular pain

Generalized pain
– Constipation
– Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
– Gastroenteritis

If you are experiencing abdominal pain and do not know what is causing it, come to Vanguard Gastroenterology today. Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in treating abdominal pain and can help you determine the underlying problem and develop a treatment plan that uniquely addresses your needs. call us today at (212) 889-5544 to book an appointment, or visit one of our two clinics conveniently located at 233 Broadway Suite 2750, New York City, NY 10279, and 36 East 31 Street Suite 701, New York City, NY 10016. We serve patients from New York NY, Midtown NY, Queens NY, Brooklyn NY, The Bronx NY, East Elmhurst NY, Ridgewood NY, Valley Stream NY, and Staten Island NY. We hope to hear from you soon!