It’s quite common to get a little stomach ache after eating a big meal or taking a tumble around in a roller-coaster. But there are times where these abdominal pains are highly painful. Our stomach can tell us a lot about our health. Many underlying medical conditions can cause pain to our stomachs. Therefore, certain abdominal pains should not be ignored.
Sudden Pain
There are many reasons why your abdomen may suddenly start hurting you. Some of these
require immediate medical attention. For instance, sudden, severe abdominal pain in your lower right stomach could be a sign of appendicitis. This pain often starts out around the belly button and is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. If you suspect that you may have appendicitis, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
If you are female and suddenly start experiencing lower abdominal pains in your lower left or right abdomen, you may have
a ruptured ovarian cyst. Issues with your ovaries can be caused by a fluctuation in your hormones, pregnancy, sexual intercourse, and constipation. In some cases an ovary may need to be removed. If you suspect you are having issues with a ruptured ovary (or ovaries), you should seek medical attention immediately.
Stabbing Pain
Stabbing pain involves an influx of pain all at one instant, as if you were being stabbed. If you are experiencing knife-like, aching pain in
your upper abdomen (between your ribcage) you may have an underlying heart issue. Indigestion may be the cause of this pain, but if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, it could be serious. Anyone who has experienced these symptoms persistently should consider visiting a medical professional.
Stabbing, knife-like pain in your lower stomach can sometimes indicate a kidney stone. To confirm or rule out a kidney stone an ultrasound or CT scan is required. If you are
experiencing nausea, chills, fever, and vomiting in addition to this pain, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Persistent Pain
While it is easy to tell what is going on with certain, intense stomach pains, some stomach pains are different. With persistent pain, you may experience discomfort and pain that you are so used to you think it doesn’t require medical attention. However, persistent pain in the lower abdomen accompanied with bloating, diarrhea, or
weight loss can indicate an underlying condition.
Persistent cramps with bloating, diarrhea, or constipation can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome. This condition is connected heavily with the level of stress and anxiety in your day-to-day life. Irritable bowel syndrome can be managed through diet and stress management. However, it is important to first seek out medical help in order to get an exact diagnosis.
If you are experiencing persistent stomach pain
with diarrhea and weight loss, you may have a chronic disease called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease involves inflammation in your digestive system, especially in your small intestine and colon. There is no current cure for Crohn’s disease. However, the disease can be managed through antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, an adjusted diet, and in some cases surgery.
When to Seek Help
Any urgent or non-urgent pain can become serious with time. If you are experiencing
any sort of pain that doesn’t feel like a normal, “ate too much” stomach ache, you may want to be seen as soon as possible. If you have stabbing pains, cramping, persistent pain, or sudden pain, you should look into being seen by a medical professional.
BASS Urgent Care is here for you and ready to help. With multiple services that allow us to run various tests and even x-rays, our urgent care services will help you find the answers and relief you seek. Don’t wait around for your condition to worsen before seeing a doctor.
We have all had our share of nasty stomach pains after overeating, eating undercooked food, or eating something that has spoiled. We recognize and suffer the consequences, and maybe we pop a couple of antacid pills and move on. At other times our stomach pain can be a more serious situation, like these 10 specific stomach pains that require further treatment.Stomach Pains That Require Immediate Attention
Several types of stomach pain are signs of a medical emergency, and they require prompt medical treatment. If you experience these types of pains, do not wait to seek treatment.
Severe Pain in the Lower Right Abdomen
If you notice intense pain in the lower right abdomen that comes on suddenly, it could be appendicitis. This condition can also bring on a rising fever and vomiting, especially if the pain starts at the navel and continues to get worse. It is best for individuals with these symptoms to go to the nearest emergency room. Left untreated, your appendix could rupture.
Sudden Onset of Right or Left Lower Abdomen Pain in Women
This sudden stomach pain could be a ruptured ovarian cyst, which can occur during mid-cycle. It may indicate an ovarian torsion, meaning a rotation or twisted ovary. Ruptured or twisted ovaries require an immediate trip to the ER and possible surgical intervention to remove the ovary.
Sudden and Severe Pain in the Mid-Abdomen
If you are someone who has a peptic ulcer and takes excessive amounts of aspirin or NSAID pain relievers, this specific type of stomach pain could very well be caused by a perforated ulcer. If not treated in a timely fashion, dangerous consequences like peritonitis and septic shock can occur. At the very least, you should call Digestive Health Services, or go to the emergency room right away.
Stomach Pain That May Require Attention by Digestive Health Services
Severe Stomach Pain and Cramps
Pain in the lower abdomen with either diarrhea or constipation accompanied by bloating and cramps could be symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Young women seem to be at the highest risk for this condition.
Upper Abdominal Pain
This type of pain can feel like an ache, increasing pressure, or be a stabbing pain. If located just under the ribs and accompanied by shortness of breath, this kind of discomfort could be heart-related. Many times it can be mistaken for indigestion, though anyone who is diabetic or has hypertension should see Digestive Health Services as soon as possible.
Pain After a Fatty Meal
Many times after consuming a fatty meal, we can develop severe pain in our stomachs. It may just be the meal, but it could also be a gallbladder attack. Women in their 40s who are overweight are at the highest risk for gallbladder problems. If the pain gets progressively worse, seek treatment from a medical professional.
Vague Upper Abdomen Pain
If you are an older adult, and this vague pain is accompanied with nausea, belching, and burping, it may actually be signs of a heart attack. If the symptoms also include vomiting and pain in the jaw and back with shortness of breath, call Digestive Health Services immediately or go to the nearest ER.
Severe Pain like a Knife in the Lower Abdomen
Sometimes this knife-like pain is located in the lower back. If you also have chills, vomiting, and a fever, it may be kidney stones. Although quite painful, kidney stones are not life-threatening. Take anti-inflammatory medications for pain as soon as possible, and have an ultrasound to rule out any other medical issues. The stones may pass on their own, or you may need surgical intervention from Digestive Health Services if the stones cause a blockage.
Pain in the Lower Left Side of the Abdomen
If this stomach pain seems to get worse when you move, it could be diverticulitis. This condition causes pouches of tissue to form within the colon that can become inflamed or infected. Take OTC acetaminophen and stool softeners to reduce the risk of an abscess, and seek treatment if these remedies do not begin to improve your symptoms.
Stomach Pain from Dehydration
It is possible to develop stomach pain from being dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when your body has lost too much fluid, and it cannot function normally. Signs of dehydration include stomach pain, fever, difficulty breathing, decrease in urine production, and even seizures. Drink fluids with electrolytes to help replenish your body quickly, and be sure to seek professional treatment if the case is severe.
Contact Digestive Health Services if your stomach pain is intense, comes on suddenly, and occurs with other symptoms, as this could be a serious medical issue.
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call (630) 434-9312 today!
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Digestive Health Services, SC is a gastroenterology practice with four board certified and highly trained physicians.