Abdominal Pain Specialist

Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. Our Services Abdominal Pain
Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. - - Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology located in Annapolis, MD, Kent Island, MD, Odenton, MD, Bowie, MD, Pasadena, MD & Greenbelt, MD

Almost everyone develops abdominal pain at some point in their life. In most cases, the pain comes and goes quickly. However, ongoing abdominal pain may be a sign of an underlying gastrointestinal condition. At Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis, Stevensville, Odenton, Bowie, and Pasadena, Maryland, the skilled gastroenterologists use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to find the root cause of your abdominal pain. Then, they provide practical solutions to alleviate your symptoms. To schedule an evaluation, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

Abdominal Pain Q & A

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is a general term that describes any discomfort you feel between your chest and groin. The location and type of pain you feel may help determine the underlying cause. 

Abdominal pain may be described as generalized or localized pain or as cramping.

Generalized pain

Generalized abdominal pain refers to pain that affects more than half your abdominal area. In most cases, this type of pain resolves on its own without medical intervention.

Localized pain

Localized abdominal pain is a type of pain you feel in one specific area of your abdomen. If you have localized pain that comes on suddenly and worsens over time, it may be a sign of an underlying digestive condition such as gallbladder disease or appendicitis. 

Cramping

Cramping is an intermittent type of abdominal pain. The pain you feel may change position and vary in intensity. Gas, constipation, and diarrhea may cause cramping. 

What causes abdominal pain?

Many conditions may cause abdominal pain, and some are more serious than others. 

Common causes of abdominal pain include:

  • Diarrhea and constipation
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 
  • Food poisoning
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Food allergies
  • Appendicitis
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 
  • Gallstones or gallbladder disease
  • Liver disease
  • Diverticular disease
  • Ulcers
  • Pancreatic disease

The team at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates recommends you seek help for your abdominal pain if your pain is severe, fails to improve within a week of at-home care, or gets worse.

What happens during an abdominal pain evaluation?

During your abdominal pain evaluation, your provider asks questions about your symptoms, including the type of pain you feel, the location of your pain, and other symptoms associated with your pain.

They review your medical and surgical history, ask about your usual diet, and discuss the types of medications and supplements you take. Then, they perform a physical exam.

Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates offers a full spectrum of services and may run diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a suspected condition. Testing may include a stool test, blood work, ultrasound, CT scan, colonoscopy, or upper endoscopy. 

How is abdominal pain treated?

Your provider creates a customized treatment plan to alleviate your abdominal pain based on the underlying cause. 

Treatment may include:

  • Diet modification
  • Pain medication
  • Disease-specific medication
  • Bowel rest (fasting)

In some cases, surgery may be recommended to address the underlying cause of your abdominal pain.

To schedule a consultation at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. to find the cause of your abdominal pain, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today. 

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