What Is Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is a common experience, but it’s important not to ignore it. At Denmark Digestive Health, we specialize in diagnosing and treating discomfort in the abdominal area, which lies between the ribs and pelvis. This pain may be a symptom of various digestive issues, including:
- Digestive disturbances, like indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea
- Organ inflammation or infections, such as gastroenteritis, stomach flu, peptic ulcer disease, or chronic acid reflux
- More severe conditions, including bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease
Sometimes, abdominal pain might not be directly linked to the colon. It may be linked to complications in other organs. Abdominal pain often feels different from patient to patient, and its location can vary, depending on what underlying problem is causing your discomfort. The three most common types of pain that patients experience include:
- Localized pain: This type may be limited to just one area of the abdomen, which typically suggests an issue with a particular organ, such as the large intestine or appendix
- Cramp-like pain: Pain that comes and goes can be traced back to mild conditions, such as constipation, diarrhea, or bloating
- Colicky pain: This pain tends to feel more like a muscle spasm and generally occurs as a symptom of a more severe issue, like gallstones
To address abdominal discomfort and improve your quality of life, prompt medical attention is key. Our team, led by Dr. Vera Denmark, our board-certified gastroenterology physician, is dedicated to identifying and treating the root cause of your abdominal pain. Residents in the Weston, MA area can reach out to our office to book an appointment with our medical professionals.
How Is Abdominal Pain Treated?
To determine the cause of your abdominal pain, our medical team will conduct a comprehensive physical examination to identify any swelling or tenderness. We will ask for details about your pain and the location and conduct a series of diagnostic tests, which may include digital imaging technologies, like MRI scans, x-rays, and ultrasounds, to detect inflammation, tumors (whether cancerous or benign), and any ruptures. Additionally, a colonoscopy might be conducted to examine the colon for potential issues. Once all tests are complete, it may take several weeks for our office to receive and review the results. We will then discuss these findings with you and formulate a treatment plan to address your abdominal pain and its underlying cause.
The treatment strategy for your abdominal pain will be tailored to the root cause Dr. Denmark will identify. If issues like constipation are the source of discomfort, our team might recommend a specialized diet plan to regulate bowel movements. For conditions like Crohn's disease, which may not have a definitive cure, managing the condition may involve medications, customized diet plans, or potentially surgery to control symptoms effectively. In cases where colon cancer is diagnosed, immediate action is taken to outline the necessary treatment approach. Additionally, abdominal pain could originate from other organs, such as the spleen or gallbladder, and in some cases, surgical removal of these organs may be necessary to improve or maintain your health.
What Symptoms Are Associated with Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is a common complaint among people of all ages that varies significantly in intensity and form from person to person. It may also be accompanied by other symptoms that may provide clues to its cause. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with abdominal pain:
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- Dull, achy sensation
- Cramping
- Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Indigestion
- Gas or belching
- Loss of appetite
- Fever (in some cases)
- Pain that worsens with movement, eating, or after eating
- Pain that radiates to other areas, such as the back or chest
Denmark Digestive Health Reviews
Dr. Vera Denmark is a very patient Physician! She helped me come off the medication and change my diet to prevent me from having acid reflux disease! She is very thorough and thoughtful and always examined me very carefully!
Dr Denmark is welcoming and calming. She is a great listener and does an outstanding job of aligning with the patient to assess patient and symptoms. Dr Denmark explained her analysis of my situation in clear, easy to understand language, and wrote out a plan of action that included all of my concerns. She was able to diagnose a condition that I have had for years, that kept getting worse. No previous Dr was able to help me. I am now on the mend and so happy that I was lucky enough to find her.
Dr. Denmark is the most compassionate/intuitive/brilliant medical professional I've ever had the privilege of getting an appointment for consultation. Walking in with fears and leaving with sound, practical advice has made me understand that with aging, you have to change your diet. The terrible stabbing pain ceased. She listened and with questions and answers, got right to the problem.She spent a lot of time with me. Thank you so much.
Experienced and knowledgeable about GI issues. Dr. Denmark was quick and efficient with my exam and diagnosis. The surgical center was totally overbooked the day I went for my exam, but these things happen.
4
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Seek Comfort
Abdominal pain is often a frustrating side effect of any number of underlying medical problems. This kind of discomfort can prevent individuals of all ages from living peacefully. If abdominal discomfort is preventing you from living your best possible life, we encourage you to seek treatment immediately with Dr. Vera Denmark, a board-certified physician of gastroenterology, and our team of medical professionals. We are experts in diagnosing and treating chronic pain and its many causes. If you live in or near the Weston, MA area, call Denmark Digestive Health today to diagnose and treat your problems using the most advanced tools and techniques.