Abdominal pain has multiple causes, many related to your digestive system. If you develop painful gastrointestinal symptoms, visit Manmeet Padda, MD, FASGE, at his offices in McKinney or Allen, Texas. Dr. Padda is a board-certified gastroenterologist with many years of experience diagnosing and treating abdominal pain. Call your nearest office to book an appointment with Dr. Padda or request a consultation by completing the online booking form.
Abdominal pain affects the area between your belly button and hips. It can occur for many reasons, including gastrointestinal, gynecological, urological, and psychological problems. Common causes of gastrointestinal abdominal pain include:
Fortunately, most abdominal pain isn’t due to serious health issues. However, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Padda for severe, recurring, and chronic abdominal pain.
Dr. Padda reviews your symptoms at your diagnostic consultation, asking about the pain’s location, severity, and type. For example, generalized abdominal pain affects more than half the abdomen, while localized pain is focused in a specific area.
Dr. Padda checks your vital signs and performs a physical exam, gently pressing on your abdomen. He also reviews your medical and family history. After completing the exam, Dr. Padda advises if you need any tests or diagnostic procedures. These could include:
Testing allows Dr. Padda to confirm his diagnosis, rule out other problems, and assess the condition’s extent.
The treatment Dr. Padda recommends for your abdominal pain depends on its cause. Options include the following.
Changing your diet helps reduce the symptoms of everything from gallstones to diverticulitis. You’ll need to avoid foods containing gluten if you have celiac disease and cut down on fatty and spicy foods if you have acid reflux. Increased exercise and hydration can help with constipation.
Medicines you might need for abdominal pain include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antidiarrheal medications, stool softeners for constipation, and antinausea drugs.
Patients with autoimmune disorders like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease) may require anti-inflammatories. Examples include aminosalicylates (like mesalazine) and corticosteroids.
Patients with more severe symptoms might need cyclosporine or other immunosuppressants and biologics like adalimumab and infliximab.
Minimally invasive procedures typically use endoscopic techniques, accessing your body via the esophagus or anus. For instance, Dr. Padda could stop a stomach ulcer from bleeding during an upper endoscopy.
Surgery might be necessary for potentially life-threatening conditions, like appendicitis, or to remove a troublesome gallbladder.
Call Dr. Padda for an expert abdominal pain diagnosis, or request an appointment online today.