Abdominal Pain in Denver, CO
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Find a ProviderWhat is abdominal pain?
Individuals often have trouble describing abdominal pain. Sometimes it is described as pain in the lower abdomen, pain in the upper abdomen, upper stomach pain, stomach pain, etc. Abdominal pain can present as any manner of discomfort between the pelvis and the chest. It can seem non-specific and difficult to explain. Oftentimes, pain in your abdomen can be a small issue but it is important to take note of your body and the messages that it is trying to send to you. There can be numerous possible conditions or reasons as to why you may be experiencing stomach pain. If you suffer from frequent off-and-on stomach problems, it could be time to visit with a doctor who offers treatment for abdominal pain in Denver, CO. You can locate a gastroenterologist in your area by calling Colorado Gastroenterology.
What causes abdominal pain?
Abdominal or stomach pain could be the result of quite a few more benign situations. These commonly include:
- Constipation
- An excess of gas
- Difficulty with digestion (dyspepsia)
- Food poisoning: A foodborne illness due to toxins in food from parasites, bacteria. or viruses. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
- Allergies to foods (such as gluten or lactose intolerance). Common food allergies include nuts, milk, fish, eggs, and shellfish.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Pain often occurs presents in the lower abdomen but can be anywhere in the abdomen. Pain may intensify soon after eating.
- Virus: This could be a stomach flu or other virus.
Alternate and conditions with potential for greater danger that also cause abdominal pain include:
- Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory disease of the intestines that results in frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): This occurs when stomach acid regurgitates backward into the esophagus. Symptoms might involve frequent heartburn.
- Diverticulitis: Infection/swelling of the colon. This could result in bowel obstruction and abdominal inflammation.
- Ulcerative colitis: IBS that can manifest in rectal and abdominal cramps and extreme discomfort.
- Colon cancer: Symptoms can include extreme and persistent abdominal pain, and/or change in bowel habits.
- Ulcers: Wounds in the stomach lining which can present with pain in the abdomen.
- Bowel blockage or obstruction: Inability of digested material from passing through the bowel.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation in the pancreas. Pain is felt from the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
- Insufficient supply of blood to the intestines (intestinal ischemia): This might be due to a blocked blood vessel and could affect intestinal function.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder that can present as severe pain in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
- Appendicitis: Swelling in the appendix. This may feel like a dull pain in the abdomen that moves to the lower right abdomen and grows sharper.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Symptoms present with extreme pain in one's back and side from the groin to the lower abdomen.
- Cancer of the stomach: Symptoms may include pain and unusual “fullness” in the upper abdomen.
What are the causes of lower abdominal pain?
At times, abdominal pain may be localized to the lower portion of the abdominal area. Some of the most common sources of pain in the lower abdomen include:
- Bowel blockage: The complete halting of digested waste from passing through the bowel.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of the walls of the intestines.
- Hernia: When a body part or organ pushes into the wall of the abdomen.
- Flu (stomach flu): Infection of the intestines. Could be characterized by fever, cramping, or nausea.
- Indigestion: Pain caused by indigestion in the lower abdomen is unusual and due to the accumulation of acid after eating.
- Gas: Feels like pressure in the abdomen and could include flatulence and burping.
- Constipation: The inability to pass and/or difficulty passing stool.
- Celiac disease (celiac sprue): Triggered response of the body to gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix. This can resemble a dull pain in the abdomen that travels to the lower right abdomen and becomes worse.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Common disorder of the large intestine.
- IBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis): A term describing any chronic swelling of the digestive tract.
- Lactose intolerance: The inability to fully digest lactose found in dairy.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
If you are experiencing serious unrelenting abdominal pain in tandem with any of the below-listed issues, emergency treatment could be needed. Abdominal pain should be evaluated by an emergency physician immediately if:
- Pain travels from your stomach to the back
- Your stomach is extremely tender to the touch
- Your abdominal pain is accompanied by a fever
- Bloody stool or bloody urine
- Difficulty breathing or pain in your chest
- Inability to eat without vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Atypical heartbeat
The best rule of thumb is to not take any risks. If the pain in your stomach is recurring and maybe not excruciating, meeting with your nearest gastroenterologist may still be necessary. Our skilled professionals commonly provide treatment for patients with abdominal pain in Denver, CO and would love to help you with your gastrointestinal needs. Blood in the stool should never be ignored and should most certainly be evaluated by a medical provider. Should you have blood in your stool we implore you to get in touch with Colorado Gastroenterology immediately.
Treatment for abdominal pain
Because of the vast array of abdominal pain sources, the most reliable and efficient method for treating abdominal pain is to seek a diagnosis from a GI doctor. The experienced team of gastroenterologists at Colorado Gastroenterology strives to bring the highest standard of patient-centric care. As experts in GI health, our doctors are happy to conduct many diagnostic tests and give treatment for a great number of conditions that are responsible for pain in one's abdomen. To get in touch with a provider who provides treatment for abdominal pain in Denver, CO, please call our location without delay to request a consultation.
Reviews
i felt that when I was there 2 yrs, ago I felt that Dr. S. was more patient and listened more.{perhaps he did not like the fact that I turned down the coloscopy.) I question why I have to have invasive procedures when less alternatives have not been explored. They own the center. Caching, caching.... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Dr Trouillot is the best. Very attentive, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Highly recommend
Dr Brenner was very professional and was more than willing to answer all my questions. Her willingness to explain the process, the preparation and the procedure, made the whole experience more calming and I was less nervous.
Dr Brenner was very thorough, explain everything in detail. I was very pleased and happy with her. Glad to have her as my especialist.
Stomach issues are no joke, and I wanted to start this review off by saying that I've gone through six or seven years straight with severe abdominal pain, nausea, sickness, missing school, missing work, doctor appointments, pills, and various diagnoses that have not helped me at all. It's hard to find someone that can help. Then I found Dr. Brenner. When I went into the office for the first time, I was extremely nervous and had little hope for help. The staff was very sweet. But when I met Dr. Brenner for the first time, I was expecting her to be like all of the others. I can officially say that I am now in remission after seven years thanks to her. She examined my previous medical reports without bias and listened to me with understanding. She had told me that there was no proof I had any of the diseases that these other "doctors" were diagnosing me with, that I didn't need to take all kinds of pills, and gave me advice and tips on how to help myself with home remedies with whatever I may be going through (severe abdominal pain for example). I'm now thankfully taking one pill that for sure helps me, but is not required, and I can eat all kinds of food now that I've never been able to eat. Dr. Brenner is sweet, honest, and very caring with her work. I plan to go to see her for as long as I can.
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