Abdominal Pain

Occasional abdominal pain usually goes away on its own, but if your pain isn’t getting better, it might be a sign something more serious is wrong. At East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy in Patchogue, New York, Christopher Tomaino, MD, offers on-site diagnostic services, including endoscopies and colonoscopies. Dr. Tomaino also provides customized treatment plans that focus on relieving your abdominal pain and protecting your gastrointestinal function. Call East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy to schedule a consultation or book one online today.

What causes abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain can develop due to dysfunction or disease in the major organs within your abdomen, including the liver, kidneys, intestines, and stomach.

Some common conditions that can cause acute abdominal pain include constipation, diarrhea, viral or bacterial infections, and stress.

When your abdominal pain is chronic and lasts longer than six weeks, it might be due to blockages in your digestive system or gastrointestinal conditions like:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

There are two types of IBD that can cause abdominal pain:

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects your small intestine and colon. This disease can cause chronic abdominal pain, cramping, and the frequent urge to have a bowel movement.

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract, typically the inner lining of your colon (large intestine). This condition develops over time and can become disabling.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS describes a group of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and diarrhea, that may occur due to bacterial overgrowth in your intestines or abnormal muscle contractions in your intestines.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the acids in your stomach flow back up into your esophagus. When this acid backflow occurs more than twice a week, it’s known as GERD.

In some cases, food allergies or intolerances can also cause abdominal pain.

When should I seek medical treatment for abdominal pain?

While many people experience abdominal pain from time to time, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy if you have abdominal pain that you can’t treat with home care or if your pain worsens even with treatment.

It’s also important that Dr. Tomaino evaluates your condition if your abdominal pain is severe enough to interfere with your routine or if you also have symptoms like:

• Fever
• Chronic diarrhea
• Persistent vomiting
• Blood in stool
• Abdominal swelling

To determine the underlying cause of your abdominal pain, Dr. Tomaino might use colonoscopy or endoscopy technologies. Based on the results of your testing, he customizes a treatment plan to relieve pain and protect the health of your gastrointestinal system.

How is abdominal pain treated?

Your treatment plan for abdominal pain depends on the results of your testing. In many cases, Dr. Tomaino starts with lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce irritation and inflammation in your digestive system. For example, he may suggest changes to your diet to increase your fiber intake and avoid foods that irritate your digestive system.

If your abdominal pain stems from acid reflux or GERD, you might need to take acid-reducing medications. Medications might also be part of your treatment for abdominal pain due to chronic diarrhea, constipation, or infection.

When chronic abdominal pain is the result of an obstruction or tissue damage, you might need surgery to treat it. For example, Dr. Tomaino might recommend surgery to treat ulcerative colitis you can’t manage with other therapies.

If you need a diagnostic evaluation for abdominal pain, call East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, or book an appointment online today.