Stomach Pain
Alternative Names:
Dyspepsia, indigestion, abdominal pain
Definition:
Stomach pain is a general term used to refer to abdominal discomfort. Almost everyone experiences occasional stomach pain, however in some patients chronic or acute stomach pain may be an indication of a serious underlying condition.
Symptoms:
Depending upon the cause, stomach pain may subside within a matter of hours or may remain for extended periods of time.
Symptoms of stomach pain may include:
- Bloating
- Burning sensation in the stomach
- General feeling of unease in the stomach
- Nausea
Exams/Testing:
Your doctor may perform a variety of tests to determine the source of your stomach pain. These include:
- Abdominal ultrasound, a noninvasive test that supplies diagnostic abdominal images
- Abdominal X-ray, which can detect bowel obstructions
- Barium enema, an x-ray test that helps detect structural abnormalities in the large intestine
- Blood tests, which can detect bacterial infections and other illnesses
- Colonoscopy, a test in which a doctor scans the colon for irregularities through the use of a fiberoptic camera
- CT scan, a test that uses large numbers of x-rays to detect a variety of abnormalities
- Endoscopy, a test in which a camera is inserted through the throat to view the stomach and internal organs
- Sigmoidoscopy, a test in which a doctor examines the lower bowels through the use of a camera
- Stool tests, which can detect blood, pus, fat or abnormal bacteria in the stools
- Upper GI and small bowel series, a collection of x-rays used to observe abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine
Outlook/Prognosis:
Stomach pain that arises from causes such as food poisoning and intolerances is generally temporary and subsides without the use of medications or medical procedures. However, chronic stomach pain may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires treatment.
Stomach pain resulting from conditions such as appendicitis, cancer and bowel obstruction may require surgery or other extensive treatment. Chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome are incurable, but may be managed through dietary changes and medication. Patients with a lactose intolerance or other food allergies are usually able to prevent stomach pain through specific dietary changes.
Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing periodic stomach pain. These include eating a healthy diet, avoiding large meals and trigger foods, eating more slowly, remaining upright after eating, reducing stress and exercising regularly.
A variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications such as antacids, antispasmodics and antibiotics are also available to treat stomach pain.
Causes (specific drugs):
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