Author: Sarah Barber
"Most stomach pain is treatable, but the key is identifying what is causing the pain."
We all experience discomfort in our stomachs. Abdominal pain is very common, and most of the time, these feelings of discomfort are nothing to worry about. However, it can be a sign of a serious issue that needs medical attention. That is why it is important to know when it’s time to talk to your doctor about stomach pain.
Most stomach pain is treatable, but the key is identifying what is causing the pain. One of the first steps to identifying stomach pain is understanding the primary causes. “The abdomen encompasses everything from ribs to pelvis; including the stomach and other organs,” said David Pohl, D.O., physician at McLaren Mid-Michigan Physicians Family Medicine and Lipidology. “There are lots of things that can cause pain. It could be kidney stones, gas pain, infections, and much more. Narrowing down where that pain is and what it feels like can help determine what is causing it.”
Dr. Pohl also says that you’re never wrong to seek medical attention if you’re concerned about discomfort in your abdominal region. “There are so many issues that could be causing stomach pain that it is important to differentiate,” said Dr. Pohl. “The biggest thing doctors will look for is physical exam findings and correlating medical history. Some indicators of a serious medical issue are a tender or rigid abdomen, meaning you can’t push on it without pain, or if bumps on the road in a car cause pain; fever, or the inability to find comfortable positions.”
There are several ways to relieve stomach pain. “The most common treatments are over-the-counter antacid medications, proton-pump inhibitors, and regular pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen,” said Dr. Pohl. “However, it depends on what is causing the pain. For example, if the issue is an ulcer, an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen would make it worse. If these medications don’t work, that can be an indicator of what is wrong. This is when a doctor would need to look in a different direction for what's causing the pain and what they can do about it.”
Stomach pain is a very complex issue that can happen for many different reasons. If concerns about abdominal discomfort arise, always contact your doctor. If you are looking for a new primary care provider, Dr. Pohl is currently accepting new patients. Click here for more information or to schedule an appointment.
