Are You Suffering From Stomach Pain? Here’s What You Need to Know
Experiencing stomach pain should not come as a surprise to most of us because it is a fact that stomach pain is one of the most common conditions that send people to an ER near you.
When you think back, I believe you can recall what it feels like to have severe stomach pain, which makes you want to stay in bed. It is difficult to forget the queasy, nauseous, uncomfortable feeling that comes with stomach pain, and overall it can prove to be an exhausting and unpleasant circumstance.
However, the familiarity we have with stomach pain should not make us easily dismiss stomach aches as an everyday issue we face. A sharp pain in the stomach or sharp stomach pain that comes and goes could indicate a severe underlying problem.
Not all forms of stomach pain are caused by overeating, flatulence, or gas. Some stomach aches call for immediate medical attention, and you may need to seek treatment at our emergency room in Austin to resolve the issue.
Understanding stomach pain can help you respond much better when faced with this condition and know when you need to contact our emergency room near you for treatment.
About Stomach Pain
Stomach pain is a term referring to any pain or discomfort which occurs within the abdominal region. Stomach aches may vary in intensity and duration, mainly depending on the root cause of the stomach ache.
For instance, if you get stomach pain after eating that clears out in a few days, you do not need medical assistance. However, if you are suffering from a sharp pain in the stomach that is persistent or a severe stomach pain that comes and goes, you need to see our doctor for medical intervention.
Mild stomach aches caused by indigestion or overeating, tend to clear out on their own within a few days. However, chronic severe stomach pain may persist unless the underlying cause is resolved.
In general, stomach pain will occur when the following organs located within the abdominal area, are affected by an infection, disease or inflammation:
- Spleen
- Gallbladder
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Large intestine
- Small intestine
- Stomach
- Appendix
Different Types of Stomach Pain
Different types of stomach aches can be categorized as follows:
- Localized pain
This is a type of sharp pain in the stomach which originates from a specified area of the abdomen. This type of pain can be traced to a particular organ that is either infected, inflamed, or ruptured, such as is the case with appendicitis.
An ideal example of this type of pain is experienced during a stomach ulcer or a gallbladder infection.
- Cramp pain
This kind of pain may be described as a sharp stomach pain that comes and goes, occasionally accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. This type of pain is linked to bloating, constipation, trapped gas, flatulence, and most female reproductive conditions such as menstruation.
This pain tends to dissipate on its own and may not require medical intervention to resolve. However, if you experience this pain persistently over 24 hours or diarrhea and nausea persists or is accompanied by a fever, you should contact our emergency room in Austin for treatment.
- Colicky pain
This type of stomach pain hits in wave-like episodes, and tends to build up and recur gradually. Such discomfort has been linked to medical conditions such as the occurrence of kidney stones.
- General pain
This type of stomach pain cannot be pinpointed to a specific area or organ within the abdomen. It tends to be felt along your entire abdominal area. Stomach pain after eating falls within this category and may be linked to indigestion, infections, or gas.
Causes of Stomach Pain
Some of the causes of stomach pain may include:
- Bacterial infections
- Parasitic infections
- Stomach ulcers
- Gastritis
- Pancreatitis
- Viral infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diverticulitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Constipation
- Appendicitis
- Food poisoning
- Indigestion
- Food intolerance
- Gallbladder infections
- Kidney infection
- Kidney and gall bladder stones
- Crohn’s disease
- Ischemic bowel condition
- Heartburn
- Cancer affecting any organs within the abdominal area such as colon, stomach or pancreas
Other than the above conditions, stomach pain may be caused by the following underlying conditions as well:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Urinary tract infection
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Menstrual cramps
- Ectopic pregnancy
Any persistent or severe stomach ache should not go unchecked, as this may lead to the development of complications.
When Should You Contact Us?
You should not hesitate to contact our emergency room near you if you or your family members experience the following conditions alongside the stomach pain:
- Difficulties breathing
- A persistent fever
- If the stomach ache persists for more than 48 hours
- If your stool is blood-stained
- Severe constipation which continues for over a week
- An abdominal injury
- If your stomach feels firm, tender or swollen
- Persistent bloating
- Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
Reach out to us at Austin Express ER, for prompt stomach pain diagnosis and treatment