Stomachache is a common occurrence, and everybody experiences it at some point. It refers to the pain you feel anywhere between your chest and groin.
Most of the time, stomachache is nothing severe and resolves itself. However, it can be a sign of serious illness or even an emergency. According to an estimate, approximately 5% of abdominal pain cases result in emergency room visits. This means you should be proactive about your abdominal health and symptoms.
Let’s talk about how you can describe your abdominal pain, when to see a GI specialist and where you can go in Brooklyn, OH, to find yourself a GI specialist.
Ways to Describe Stomachache
Stomachache can be mild or severe. However, it’s important to know that the severity of your pain isn’t linked to the seriousness of your illness. This means you can have mild pain with a serious condition like early appendicitis and severe pain with a not-so-seriouscondition like viral gastroenteritis. Besides mild and severe, you can describe your stomachache as:
- Localized Pain – As the name suggests, this pain is localized to one area of the abdomen and can be a sign of a problem in the organ located in that area. For example, pain in the right lower quadrant may be related to your appendix.
- Generalized pain – Generalized stomachache refers to the pain you feel in more than half of your abdomen. Typically, generalized pain is associated with gas, indigestion, etc. A blockage of the intestines can result in severe generalized pain.
- Cramp-like pain – Even though it is excruciating, cramp-like pain is not serious most of the time. Gas and bloating are common causes of this pain.
However, cramp-like pain that lasts more than 24 hours occurs more often, and occurs with fever can be worrisome and require care from a doctor.
- Colicky pain – This is often described as pain that comes in a wave. The pain is often severe and can start and end suddenly. You often felt colicky pain when you have kidney stones or gallstones.
When Do You Need GI Specialist?
Stomachache can be due to many reasons. The key is knowing when your stomachache needs care from a healthcare professional immediately. A stomachache that is so severe that you can’t move without pain, or you can’t find a comfortable position or sit still, is a sign that you need to call your doctor right away.
Also, contact your doctor immediately, if your stomachache is accompanied by symptoms like:
- Fever
- Bloody stool
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Swelling of abdomen
- Tender abdomen
- Weight loss
- Severe pain
Normally, on noting any abovementioned symptoms, you visit your primary care doctor first. The primary care doctor asks detailed questions about your pain. From your answers, they determine if you need emergency care or tell you right away if your pain is temporary and not serious.
If your primary care physician notices a GI issue, they will refer you to a GI specialist for a detailed assessment. GI specialists perform various diagnostic procedures and run tests to determine the cause of your GI symptoms. Then, they develop a highly personalized treatment plan to address the cause of your stomachache.
On the other hand, if you have already received a diagnosis of some serious GI problem and are experiencing abdominal pain, your GI specialist is the first person you want to see.
GI Specialist Near Me in Brooklyn OH
At North Shore Gastroenterology, we have a highly skilled and experienced team of doctors who are all board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. Our GI specialists are dedicated to providing you with advanced, individualized, and compassionate patient care for a full spectrum of GI problems and symptoms including stomachache. Our GI specialist works closely with your primary care physician to ensure that you receive the best possible care.
If you would like to ask a question or want to set up a consultation with one of our outstanding GI specialists, call North Shore Gastroenterology today at (440) 808-1212 or submit a request now.
We look forward to serving you!
