Medically reviewed by the clinical team at Consultants in Gastroenterology
Abdominal pain is easy to brush off. You chalk it up to something you ate that didn’t agree with you, or rationalize that it’s stress, indigestion, or a stomach bug. If the pain goes away and doesn’t come back, you may not think much of it.
However, when abdominal pain persists, keeps returning, or feels different from what you’ve experienced before, it’s time to pay attention. As gastroenterologists, we see many patients who wait weeks or months to make an appointment because they aren’t sure their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeing a specialist.
You don’t need to wait until the pain becomes unbearable. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to evaluate it early so you can understand what’s causing it.
Not All Abdominal Pain Is the Same
Your abdomen contains many organs, including the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, pancreas, and liver. Pain can come from any of them, which is why the location, timing, and nature of your pain provide important clues.
A dull ache after a large meal is different from sharp pain that wakes you up at night. Cramping that comes and goes is different from pain that is constant or getting progressively worse.
You don’t need to figure out what the pain means on your own. Abdominal pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and there are many possible causes.
When You May Be Able to Watch and Wait
Mild abdominal discomfort can sometimes be related to something temporary, such as gas, constipation, indigestion, or a stomach virus. If your symptoms are mild and resolve on their own without returning, you may not need to see a specialist.
Pay attention if the pattern changes, the pain persists, or other symptoms appear.
When It’s Time to Make an Appointment
Schedule a visit with one of our gastroenterologists if you’re experiencing:
- Abdominal pain that lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back
- Pain that is severe or becoming more frequent or intense
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- New or ongoing diarrhea or constipation
- Pain that interferes with your sleep or daily activities
These symptoms don’t necessarily mean something serious is wrong. They do mean it’s worth taking a closer look instead of managing this on your own.
When Abdominal Pain Is an Emergency
Some types of abdominal pain require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care for sudden or severe abdominal pain, particularly if it’s accompanied by fever, a rigid or significantly swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, or an inability to keep fluids down.
If you believe you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Why See a Gastroenterologist?
Abdominal pain can have many causes, from relatively minor digestive problems to conditions such as ulcers, gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
A gastroenterologist can look at the full picture, including your symptoms, medical history, and physical exam, and determine whether additional testing is needed. Depending on your symptoms, that may include laboratory testing, imaging, or an endoscopic procedure.
If you’re in the Midlands and your pain isn’t going away, keeps coming back, or simply doesn’t feel normal for you, we’re here to help you find out why.
Schedule a Visit With Our GI Team Today
You shouldn’t have to live with abdominal pain you can’t explain.
If you’re in the Midlands and dealing with abdominal pain, we’re here to help you get answers. Schedule a visit to talk through what you’re experiencing. We look forward to caring for you.