Abdominal Pain Doctors

If you’re suffering from abdominal pain in Manhattan or one of the other boroughs, it can be a mild inconvenience treatable with over-the-counter remedies or a sign of a severe illness that requires immediate attention from a gastroenterologist.

Abdominal pain should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, as it may be a symptom of a severe illness or condition. There are multiple causes of stomach pain that should be investigated by a top GI specialist. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic, and it can result from problems with the stomach, appendix, gallbladder, spleen, bowel, liver, or gynecological issues.

Therefore, it is critical that you see our practice’s doctor for an examination and further investigation to determine the source of your pain. If you’re experiencing abdominal pain in the Upper East Side, your problem deserves to be addressed by a best-in-class gastroenterologist.

There are numerous causes of abdominal pain. The list is extensive, and it contains, among other things, the following:

• Bile duct inflammation (cholangitis)
• Bladder, kidney, or spleen infection
• Colon cancer
• Constipation
• Crohn’s disease
• Excessive gas and bloating
• Food allergies
• Food or lead poisoning
• Gallbladder inflammation
• Gallstones
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gluten intolerance (Celiac disease)
• Heightened ketone levels (diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Hernia
• Indigestion
• Inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis)
• Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Inflammation of the small intestine (duodenitis)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)
• Intestinal obstruction
• Intra-abdominal malignancies
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Kidney disease (uremia)
• Kidney stones
• Lactose intolerance
• Large intestine inflammation (diverticulitis)
• Less blood to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia)
• Liver disease (hepatitis)
• Lymphatic cancer (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
• Pneumonia
• Ruptured spleen
• Sickle cell anemia
• Stomach lining inflammation (gastritis)
• Stomach virus or flu
• Strained, pulled, or injured abdominal muscle
• Swollen lymph nodes (mesenteric lymphadenitis)
• Torn or punctured colon
• Ulcer(s)
• Urinary tract infection
• Many other conditions

Women must add the following potential causes to their list:

• Fallopian tube inflammation (salpingitis)
• A fertilized egg outside your uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
• Infection of your reproductive organs (pelvic disease)
• Menstrual cramps
• Ovarian cancer
• Ovarian cysts
• Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz)
• Tissue growing outside your uterus (endometriosis)

Symptoms associated with stomach might include:

• Belching
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Pelvic discomfort
• Discomfort in the upper right or left, middle, or lower right or left abdomen

Abdominal pain treatment depends on the patient’s history of the disease or other health conditions that cause it.

If your pain is localized, knowing where it is (high or low, left or right, front or back) can help your GI specialist narrow down the cause. The duration and intensity of your pain can also point your GI doctor in the right direction. Associated symptoms, such as diarrhea or fever, can potentially indicate a specific cause.

When you come to our offices for a consultation, our physicians will go through your medical history and symptoms before doing a thorough examination. Blood, urine, and/or stool tests may be ordered by your GI doctor if necessary. As part of the evaluation, our doctors may request imaging or endoscopy, colonoscopy, small bowel capsule, or other medical diagnostic procedures. The first step toward abdominal pain alleviation is determining the correct diagnosis.

We can divide abdominal pain into three categories:

• Localized. Pain is limited to a single area of the abdomen and is usually caused by problems with a specific organ. Stomach ulcers are the most common cause of this type of pain.
• Cramp-like. This type of pain is linked to constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or flatulence. It can develop in women as a result of miscarriage, menstruation, or complications in the female reproductive organs. This type of pain comes and goes and may disappear completely without treatment.
• Colicky pain. This ache is a sign of a more serious condition, such as kidney stones or gallstones. It happens suddenly and may feel like an acute muscle spasm.

There is no way to prevent all types of abdominal pain. However, it is possible to reduce the chance of being exposed to this type of pain. Abdominal pain prevention should start with the following:

• Drink plenty of water
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Eat smaller meals
• Exercise on a regular basis

It is also not recommended to lie down straight after your meal because it may cause abdominal pain along with heartburn. In general, you should not lie down for at least two hours after eating.