Our Services / Abdominal Pain

Abdominal Pain services offered in Chesterfield, MO

Abdominal pain is a common symptom of many conditions, most of which aren’t serious. However, if you have concerning or ongoing abdominal pain, Gateway Gastroenterology in Chesterfield, Missouri, can help. It offers patient-centered care and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to help you get relief from abdominal pain. To find out what’s causing your abdominal pain, call or request an appointment online today.

Abdominal Pain Q & A

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is a general term that includes any discomfort you feel from your lower chest to your groin. Almost everyone has this type of pain at some point in time.

The severity of your pain isn’t always a good indicator of the seriousness of the cause. You can have severe abdominal pain and cramping from gas or acute viral gastroenteritis. However, with appendicitis, the pain may start as mild and worsen over time.

The type of pain you feel can sometimes help determine the cause. Types of abdominal pain include:

Generalized pain

If your abdominal pain affects more than half of your body, you have generalized pain. Indigestion and gas are common causes of this type of abdominal pain.

Localized pain

Localized pain means your pain only affects one specific area, which may indicate a problem with an organ in that area. A problem with your stomach or gallbladder may cause localized pain.

Cramp-like pain

Cramp-like pain usually comes with diarrhea and is most often not from a serious cause.

Colicky pain

Colicky pain is severe abdominal pain that comes in waves. Gallstones may cause this type of pain.

What causes abdominal pain?

You can develop abdominal pain from many causes. Common causes include:

Constipation
Acid reflux
Food poisoning
Gallstones
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Gastroenteritis
Colon cancer
Liver disease
Diverticulitis
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease

If you have ongoing abdominal pain or severe pain that fails to improve within a day or two, schedule a consultation at Gateway Gastroenterology.

What happens during an abdominal pain evaluation?

The specifics of your evaluation at Gateway Gastroenterology for abdominal pain depend on your symptoms and medical history. However, you can expect a patient-centered, comprehensive exam.

Your gastroenterologist reviews your symptoms and medical history and does a physical examination. They may also order diagnostic tests to find the underlying cause of your discomfort, such as blood work, stool testing, or an X-ray or CT scan.

In some cases, you may need an endoscopy procedure, such as an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, or capsule endoscopy.

What are some of the treatment options for abdominal pain?

Treatment options for abdominal pain vary as much as the causes. Gateway Gastroenterology customizes your treatment plan based on your diagnosis and symptoms.

Treatment may include:

Bowel rest
Diet changes
Antibiotics
Disease-specific medication

Gateway Gastroenterology takes a conservative approach to care and works closely with you, developing a plan that eases your pain. However, in some cases, such as appendicitis, your provider may recommend surgery to treat the underlying cause of your abdominal pain.

To get relief from abdominal pain, call Gateway Gastroenterology today or request an appointment online.