Abdominal Pain

Though rarely a symptom of a serious health problem, severe or ongoing abdominal pain may indicate an underlying health condition. At Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute in Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Huntington Beach, California, Tahmina Haq, MD, offers comprehensive evaluations to find the source of your abdominal pain. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

What does abdominal pain feel like?

Abdominal pain differs depending on the cause. In general, any type of pain that occurs between the chest and groin is abdominal pain. 

Some of the ways you may describe your pain include:

Generalized pain

Generalized pain means you feel mild to severe discomfort in more than half of your abdominal area. You may have generalized abdominal pain from a stomach virus or indigestion. If your pain is severe, you may have a bowel blockage.

Localized pain

Localized abdominal pain means you feel discomfort in only one part of the abdomen. This type of pain usually means a specific organ is causing the discomfort. You may have localized pain with appendicitis or cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation).

Crampy pain

Crampy pain is a sudden and tight feeling in the abdominal area. It usually occurs with gas and bloating and resolves within 24 hours. 

Colicky pain

Colicky abdominal pain is severe pain that comes and goes. Kidney stones and gallstones cause colicky pain.

When should I see a gastroenterologist for abdominal pain?

You should visit Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute if ongoing abdominal pain disrupts your daily life. Though you can develop abdominal pain from any number of causes, seeing a gastroenterologist may confirm or rule out a gastrointestinal disorder such as:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Hepatitis
• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Diverticulitis
• Colon cancer
• Bowel blockage

You should also see a gastroenterologist if your abdominal pain causes other concerning symptoms like a change in bowel habits, blood in your stool, or unplanned weight loss.

What tests diagnose the causes of abdominal pain?

The gastroenterologist at Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute completes a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about abdominal pain. They take the time to get to know you, asking detailed questions about your symptoms, when they started, and the activities that make them worse.

The physician reviews your medical history, performs a physical exam, and then determines what types of tests you need to confirm or rule out the underlying cause of your abdominal pain. 

Testing might include:

• Bloodwork
• Urinalysis
• Stool testing
• X-ray or ultrasound
• Colonoscopy
• Upper endoscopy

Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute also offers advanced testing, including endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

The gastroenterologist discusses their findings with you and what you need to do next.

Find out what’s causing your abdominal pain by calling Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute or scheduling an appointment online today.