Stomach Pain Which Doctor To See?

Stomach Pain Which Doctor To See
Overview Minor stomach discomfort can come and go, but persistent stomach pain can be a sign of a serious health problem. If you have chronic digestive issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, your primary care physician will probably refer you to a specialist.

  1. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system.
  2. Doctor’s appointments can be hectic and a bit stressful, especially when you’re seeking a diagnosis.
  3. You depend on your doctor to figure out what’s wrong and what the best course of treatment is.

Your doctor relies on you to provide as much information as you can, and to ask questions. Working in partnership with your doctor will help move you toward a diagnosis. Then you can begin treatment, learn how to manage your symptoms, and improve your quality of life.

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Which doctor should I see for stomach pain?

What does a gastroenterologist do? – A gastroenterologist is a specialist with expertise in the disorders and diseases that affect the digestive system — which includes the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus) as well as the pancreas, liver, bile ducts and gallbladder.

Unexplained changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation and blood in the stool Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Heartburn Hemorrhoids Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Pancreatitis Ulcers

“Gastroenterologists are trained to perform a number of procedures used to help diagnose and treat these conditions, such as upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy and the various endoscopic techniques needed to visualize the digestive system, including endoscopic ultrasound,” explains Dr. Glassner.

When should I see doctor for stomach pain?

Schedule a doctor’s visit Make an appointment with your doctor if your abdominal pain worries you or lasts more than a few days. In the meantime, find ways to ease your pain. For instance, eat smaller meals if your pain is accompanied by indigestion.

How does a doctor diagnose stomach pain?

Tests for abdominal pain – Your doctor may order urine, blood and stool tests. Imaging tests are also helpful for detecting abnormalities inside your gastrointestinal system and other organs. These tests may include X-rays, CT scan, ultrasound, barium enema or endoscopy,

Where is gastric pain located?

What is Gastric Pain? – Gastric pain is a term used to describe a pain in the middle of the upper abdomen. Even though ‘gastric’ means ‘of the stomach’, gastric pain may also originate from other areas such as the gallbladder, pancreas and small intestine.

How does gastric pain feel like?

Symptoms – The signs and symptoms of gastritis include:

Gnawing or burning ache or pain (indigestion) in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better with eating Nausea Vomiting A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating

Gastritis doesn’t always cause signs and symptoms.

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Should I see a doctor for my stomach issues?

How To Describe Your Pain – Sometimes it can be challenging to describe the location and characteristics of the pain. However, describing your pain in detail can help your doctor narrow down possible causes. Although pain is subjective, there are common ways to describe different types of pain.

How long your pain has lasted Its location – left side, right side, upper, lower, or middle If it stays in one place or radiates out How it feels and how severe If it’s constant or comes and goes What makes it worse or better How often it happens and for how long How it limits or affects your life Anything that seems to trigger it

Some common ways to describe how it feels are:

Aching Burning Cramping Dull Gnawing Heavy Hot or burning Radiating Sharp Shooting Splitting Stabbing Tender Throbbing Tiring or exhausting

Most everyone has experienced abdominal pain at some point and wondered if they should see a doctor or wait it out. In general, pain that is severe, doesn’t go away, or happens with other symptoms is pain you should get checked out. If you’re not sure, be cautious and call your doctor for advice. Don’t just hope your stomach pain goes away on its own – schedule an appointment today!

How do doctors check inside stomach?

An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your provider examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine, also called the duodenum.

Why is my stomach hurting everyday?

Copied! Everyone gets a stomach ache — or abdominal pain — from time to time. Usually, stomach pains are harmless conditions caused by overeating, gas, or indigestion, Frequent or recurring sharp stomach pain often is due to stress and worry, even in children.

What should I expect on my first visit to a gastroenterologist?

What to Expect at your Gastroenterologist Appointment If you’ve never seen a gastroenterologist, you may not know what to expect. Gastroenterologists specialize in the digestive system and are experts in the function and diseases of the liver, colon, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, small intestine, stomach, and esophagus.

Many common conditions such as heartburn, IBS, and celiac disease can affect patients’ everyday lives. Gastroenterologists can help manage and treat these conditions and significantly improve their patients’ quality of life and health. How should I prepare for my first appointment? At your first appointment, your gastroenterologist will speak with you about your medical history, symptoms, and any recent treatments you’ve had.

Depending on your age, they may recommend certain preventative treatments, such as a colonoscopy, which can help prevent colorectal cancer. Depending on the reason for your visit, they will ask you further questions and recommend tests or procedures if needed.

These tests may include but are not limited to an endoscopy, a colonoscopy, or a barium swallow. Make a list of your symptoms and create a list of questions before your appointment so that you don’t forget anything. It can help the doctor determine what treatment you may need. When should you see a gastroenterologist? You should see a gastroenterologist for any recommended preventative screenings, if you’re experiencing new symptoms related to your digestive system, or if you need to manage any chronic digestive conditions.

You should also make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist as soon as possible if you’re experiencing abnormal bowel movements, rectal bleeding, frequent heartburn, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, difficulty swallowing, or esophageal pain. Some of the most common conditions treated by gastroenterologists include pancreatitis, ulcers, polyps, GERD, gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease.

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How can you improve your digestive health? Your doctor will monitor how you respond to treatment at your follow-up appointments. Follow their recommendations as it will help the doctor assess whether or not the treatment plan is effective. Additional testing may also be needed if symptoms do not improve.

Make regular notes of your symptoms if you have a chronic condition. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle or dietary changes. Make sure to schedule any preventative screenings, as they can help prevent serious health conditions such as certain cancers.

Make an appointment to see your doctor right away if you experience any changes in bowel habits, have unexplained weight loss, or if you are feeling chronically fatigued. Schedule any follow-up appointments you need to go over results from tests or procedures. If you are a new patient of Granite State Gastroenterology, visit our website to learn more about our practice.

We have forms and other information available on our site to save you time. You can also use Klara, our app that can help you get in contact with our staff and schedule appointments.

What will happen when I see a gastroenterologist?

What Are the Next Steps? – The gastroenterologist may send you for X-rays, a CT scan, or blood and stool tests. They may give you a stool test. Among other things, a stool culture can check how well your body absorbs and uses fat. They may also test your motility (how food moves through your digestive system ).

  • The doctor might also suggest procedures to diagnose your problem.
  • They’ll schedule these tests for later and tell you how to prepare: Barium swallow or enema: Barium is a liquid that highlights areas inside your body on a scan.
  • The doctor may give you barium to drink to check your esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine.
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Or you may need one to check your colon or rectum. An X-ray will show the doctor your organs as they move. Endoscopy: This long, thin tube with a tiny camera on the end goes through your mouth so the doctor can look at your upper digestive tract or take a biopsy (tissue sample).

You may get an endoscopy if you have persistent heartburn, belly pain, vomiting, or other problems that don’t go away. Colonoscopy: The doctor puts a thin scope with a camera on the end into your bottom. It goes into your colon, rectum, or large intestine to look for polyps or bleeding, get rid of any polyps, or take a biopsy.

Your doctor may order a colonoscopy to check for problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, or problems that may cause changes in how often and how you poop, belly pain, or blood in your stool. Enteroscopy : You may have this procedure if an endoscopy or a colonoscopy fails to find anything.

Why has my stomach been hurting for days?

Abdominal Pain Causes – Whether you’ve got a mild ache or serious cramps, abdominal pain can have many causes. For instance, you might have indigestion, constipation, a stomach virus or, if you’re a woman, menstrual cramps, Other possible causes include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis Food poisoning Food allergies Gas Urinary tract infectionAbdominal muscle strain or pull

You may also get abdominal pain if you’re lactose intolerant or have ulcers or pelvic inflammatory disease, Other causes include:

Hernia Gallstones Kidney stones Endometriosis Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ) Appendicitis DiverticulitisAbdominal aortic aneurysm (swelling in the belly’s main artery)Bowel blockage or obstruction Cancer of the stomach, pancreas, liver, bile duct, gallbladder, or immune cellsOvarian cancer or cysts Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)Low blood flow to your intestines caused by a blocked blood vesselEctopic pregnancy (when a fertilized eggs grows outside the uterus, for example, in a Fallopian tube)

Is a stomach ache good enough for urgent care?

When it’s time for urgent care – Dr. Andrew W. Nangalama and the team at American River Urgent Care recommend that you seek diagnostic evaluation for your stomach pain when it lasts longer than a week or when it gets more severe, even with rest and home care. Watch for these signs your stomach pain may need medical attention:

Fever Pain and bloating that lasts for more than two days Pain or burning during urination Persistent bloating Unexplained weight loss

Contact the office whenever stomach or abdominal pain is severe enough to interfere with your quality of life and ability to function. Note that some stomach or abdominal conditions may require computed tomography (CT) scans for diagnosis, so you may be directed to an emergency room if necessary.