5 Types of Abdominal Pain & Relief for Each
Feb 22, 2022
Get to the bottom of abdominal bloating, cramping, aching or burning.
Stomachaches can affect your ability to sit, sleep or walk comfortably. But the stomach isn鈥檛 always the real problem, says Tegpal Atwal, MD, a gastroenterologist at 网曝门事件 Health St. Helena.
Pinpointing the source of abdominal discomfort can be key to understanding the cause and treating the issue. 鈥淚t helps to know the general location of the pain,鈥 says Irina Jovel, a nurse practitioner at 网曝门事件 Health St. Helena. 鈥淭hat can help your provider determine a diagnosis.鈥
Stomach
Burning or pain in the stomach, in the upper left abdomen, could indicate food poisoning, indigestion or inflammation of the stomach lining, known as gastritis. 鈥淚f stomach pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting,鈥 Dr. Atwal says, 鈥渟ee your provider or visit an emergency department for immediate treatment.鈥
Chest
A burning sensation in the chest may stem from stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, a condition known as acid reflux. 鈥淎void eating for at least an hour before you lie down to give stomach acids time to settle,鈥 Dr. Atwal recommends. If you experience this symptom regularly, you could have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Belly button
Pain near the belly button could be caused by gas, or it could indicate inflammation of the appendix, or appendicitis, Jovel says. Appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics, but surgery to remove the appendix may be needed in severe cases. Seek immediate help if your symptoms are accompanied by a fever, vomiting or chest pain.
Abdomen
Bloating, swelling or abdominal cramps might result from dietary changes, food sensitivity or constipation. If these symptoms persist long term or happen frequently, talk to your provider to rule out possible causes such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or Crohn鈥檚 disease.
Relief for your discomfort
网曝门事件 Health鈥檚 gastroenterology specialists in St. Helena and Napa can identify the cause of your abdominal pain and help you feel better.
网曝门事件 Health Physicians Network 鈥 Gastroenterology
6 Woodland Road, Suite 101, St. Helena; 707-963-7028
网曝门事件 Health Physicians Network 鈥 Napa
1100 Trancas St., Suite 250, Napa; 707-253-1135
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