Know when your stomach pain warrants a trip to the gastroenterologist.
Everyone will deal with abdominal pain at some point. Still, it’s when abdominal pain is severe, persistent, recurring or impacting your quality of life that it could be a sign of an underlying condition that may require care from our Katy, TX, gastroenterologist, Dr. Kevin Marks. Here’s what you should know about abdominal pain,
What Causes Abdominal Pain?
Yes, many abdominal pain cases will resolve on their own; however, it doesn’t stop this symptom from being one of the main reasons people come into our office for treatment. After all, dealing with uncomfortable stomach pain can be unnerving for anyone. Common causes of abdominal pain include,
- Food poisoning
- Food allergies
- Lactose intolerance
- Gas
- Gastroenteritis (aka "stomach bug")
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease
Sometimes abdominal pain may be the result of conditions that require more immediate attention and care from our Katy, TX, gastroenterologist, including,
- A hernia
- Gallstones or kidney stones
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Diverticulitis
- Appendicitis
It’s essential to recognize the characteristics and nature of your pain. For example, when did you first notice the pain? Is the pain lasting hours? Is the pain coming and going? Is it made worse by movement or by pressing on your abdomen? Is the pain getting worse over time?
Depending on the cause of your abdominal pain, you may also notice other symptoms, including,
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Blood in the stool
- Bloating or distention of the abdomen
When Should I Call My Gastroenterologist?
Sure, you probably don’t need to call us for every stomachache you get, but you should contact us if,
- Your pain persists for hours
- The pain is severe
- You develop a fever
- You haven’t been able to eat or drink anything for two days
- You’re developing signs of dehydration
- You can’t urinate or defecate
- Your stomach is tender to the touch
Immediate Care Is Needed if You Are,
- Vomiting persistently or vomiting blood
- Have a swollen stomach
- Develop yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Are pregnant
- Have difficulty breathing
- Notice black or bloody stools
If your abdominal pain concerns you, the best thing you can do is contact our Katy, TX, gastroenterologist to discuss your symptoms. We can determine over the phone whether you should come to the office right away or within the next couple of days.
If you are dealing with abdominal pain impacting your health and quality of life, turn to our Katy, TX, gastroenterologist Dr. Marks and the Premier Gastroenterology team. Call (281) 392-0425 today.