Why Do I Have Abdominal Pain?
Stomach aches are common. Often, they are not a cause for concern. However, there are many different causes of abdominal pain, and some could be a sign of a serious illness. Because of this, it is important to not ignore persisting abdominal pain, even if the pain is not constant or daily. There are many different organs in the abdomen, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas. Any one of these organs can cause pain. If you are feeling pain in the abdomen—be it upper, lower, mild, sharp or cramp-like, it can be challenging to figure out the cause by yourself. Gastroenterologists are specialists who can help determine the exact cause of your abdominal pain.
There are four main types of abdominal pain: generalized, localized, cramp-like and colicky. Generalized pain appears most often with a stomach virus, indigestion or gas. The pain can be felt in over half of the abdomen. If the pain becomes severe, it could indicate a blockage of the intestines. Localized abdominal pain means that it is limited to one area of the abdomen. Most often, localized pain is caused by problems in a particular organ, such as an ulcer of the stomach or diverticulitis of the colon. Crampy pain could be associated with a few different things, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating or gas. This is common if someone suffers from celiac disease, pancreas problems (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is an intestinal disorder that affects both the large and small intestine. In women, cramping can be associated with menstruation, ovulation, miscarriage or other complications with reproductive organs. Crampy pain usually comes and goes and can subside on its own without treatment. Colicky pain is usually a symptom of more serious conditions like gallstones or kidney stones. Colicky pain occurs suddenly and without warning, and is usually quite severe. Acid reflux, or GERD, is also a condition which can affect the abdomen. It can cause heartburn, indigestion or pain when swallowing. Some people with GERD will have upper stomach pain and not classic heartburn (so-called dyspepsia pattern GERD).
If you are experiencing weight loss, fevers or rectal bleeding in addition to abdominal pain, you could be suffering from Crohn’s disease, which is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, or even from colon cancer. We call these types of symptoms “alarm features.” Other alarm symptoms are a loss of appetite, feeling full before a meal is complete (early satiety), vomiting and trouble swallowing. These symptoms should never be ignored as they often indicate a more serious cause of pain.
It is very important not to ignore or minimize your symptoms and remember to discuss any persisting abdominal complaints with your primary care physician. The board-certified physicians at Greater Boston Gastroenterology can diagnose and treat your abdominal pain. After reviewing your specific symptoms, the location of the pain and how often it occurs, we will determine the cause and treatment method.