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Abdominal pain can strike at any time, and in most cases, it isn’t life-threatening – however, it usually requires an evaluation. If you’re suffering from abdominal pain, Jack Husney, MD, provides diagnostic testing and personalized treatments at his office in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, in New York City. Abdominal pain can have many causes, and treatment is often necessary for more severe forms of abdominal pain. Call the conveniently located office today to schedule an appointment or request a consultation on the website.
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is any discomfort you feel in the area below the chest and above your groin. Almost everyone experiences this at some point, although most times it’s not severe.
People describe abdominal pain in many ways, including sharp, dull, achy, or intermittent. You may have generalized abdominal pain, meaning the discomfort spreads to more than half of your abdomen.
You could also have localized pain, which stays in one specific area. Localized pain may indicate a problem with an organ, such as your appendix or stomach.
Abdominal pain can also be cramp-like, which is often not a sign of a severe problem. Cramping pain sometimes signals issues like trapped gas, bloating, or diarrhea.
The type of pain doesn’t always coincide with the cause. For example, severe pain may indicate a mild problem like constipation. In contrast, mild pain could be a sign of appendicitis or colon cancer.
What causes abdominal pain?
There are many structures and organs in the abdomen, which makes it hard to self-diagnose the problem. Dr. Husney often performs diagnostic testing to determine the root cause of your pain.
Some common culprits behind abdominal discomfort include:
- Constipation
- Gastritis
- Food poisoning
- Appendicitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Diverticulitis
- Cholecystitis
- Kidney stones
- Peptic ulcers
- GERD
More severe causes of abdominal pain include colon cancer, bowel obstruction, and pancreatitis.
You may also have abdominal pain that’s unrelated to a primary condition in your GI tract, including a heart attack, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism.
How is abdominal pain treated?
The treatment for abdominal pain depends on the root cause of the problem. Dr. Husney asks about your symptoms and performs an abdominal exam to understand what’s causing your discomfort.
For mild abdominal pain, you may only require lifestyle modifications, such as drinking more water, watching what you eat, and avoiding foods that trigger gas and bloating.
If your abdominal pain is more severe, Dr. Husney may order imaging studies like a CT scan or an MRI to diagnose the problem.
Sometimes, medications are all that’s needed to reduce pain and discomfort. GERD, gastritis, and constipation are all conditions Dr. Husney may use drugs to treat.
In the case of appendicitis or other severe abdominal conditions, Dr. Husney may perform surgery to address the problem and provide relief.
To make an appointment at Jack Husney, MD, call the practice today, or request a consultation on the website.