The most common causes of abdominal pain are less serious digestive issues such as indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea, food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome, a stomach virus, or food allergies (lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, etc.). Most of the less serious causes of abdominal pain will fade within a few hours or days, though some could lead to inflammation if there is any irritation or infection.

Some more serious and common causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis, a bowel blockage, cancer, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and gastroesophageal reflux, all of which will need treatment to limit the progression or dire conditions. Abdominal pain refers to pain anywhere within your belly region, which houses a few very important organs and may be experienced in many different ways, making abdominal pain much more subjective than most ailments.

Some symptoms of abdominal pain include fever, blood in the stool, severe pain, weight loss, persistent nausea and vomiting, skin that appears yellow, severe tenderness to any pressure applied to the abdomen, and swelling of the abdomen. The pain that is felt is often described as aching, stabbing, burning, twisting, cramping, dull, or gnawing. Additionally, abdomen pain can vary whether it is ongoing, steady, episodic, or intermittent.

The pain can be located anywhere in the abdomen, but is frequently categorized by the lower, middle, one or both sides, upper, or if it originates in the abdomen and migrates to other parts of the body. Frequently, abdomen pain can be worsened or triggered by drinking alcohol, jarring movements such as coughing, stress, menstruation, and consuming certain foods.

For the less severe cases of abdominal pain that are likely caused by issues with digestion or gas, there are some recommended at-home remedies for pain relief such as eating only foods that are easier to digest (crackers, bananas, rice, toast, etc.), using a warm water bottle or soaking in a bathtub and drinking plenty of water. There are also some foods that are commonly used for relief such as ingesting licorice for gas, ginger for indigestion, or peppermint as a means to help the muscles of your intestines relax a bit. Consuming tea, alcohol, and coffee may make the pain worse as well so avoid any substances that may increase discomfort. The kind of treatment that will work best is entirely dependent on the severity and cause of the abdominal pain. Severe cases should be assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible to ensure that the proper care and treatment are administered.

It can sometimes be tricky to determine if your abdominal pain is severe enough to warrant a trip to a doctor or hospital. If the pain is persistent or severe and the cause is unexplained, or if you have previously been injured or are pregnant, these are all valid reasons to seek medical attention.

Other symptoms to look out for which indicate that your abdominal pain should be assessed by a medical professional are persistent fever, nausea, or vomiting, the presence of any blood in your urine, vomit, or stools, and any swelling or tenderness to the touch, if the pain is spreading to any other parts of your body, jaundice, and any problems breathing such as shortness of breath. If any of the symptoms worsen with exertion, the case might be more severe as well so it is best to just get it checked out by a medical professional to be safe. For more information contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1840 Eldron Blvd SE. Suite 1 Palm Bay, FL 32909. We serve patients from Palm Bay FL, Malabar FL, Melbourne FL, June Park FL, Brevard County, Indian River County, and surrounding areas.