Complications with the stomach are some of the most uncomfortable issues that most people may experience. Because there are many things that can lead to stomach pain, it follows that nearly everyone has suffered from stomach pain at one point or another of their lives. That said, it may not be possible to tell the specific reason behind the stomach pain, and this makes it a good idea to head to a professional for an analysis in case of extreme or persistent stomach pain.
An online search for “stomach pain specialist near me” or “abdominal pain doctor near me” can enable you to find a professional who can help you manage your stomach pain and get to the bottom of the issue. You could also search for things like “pancreatitis vs appendicitis” as these are some of the reasons behind stomach pain. You can also check what “ends pain plus” means so that you’re well-informed about various terms you might hear from the professional you seek medical assistance from. If you’ve had cancer surgery at some point in the recent past, this may also be a reason for stomach pain. Rather than make assumptions and self-diagnose, however, talk to a professional.
There are many types of situations that can cause pain in the abdominal or stomach area. Considering that, it’s understandable to wonder what to do about pain in the abdominal area. In most cases, you’ll either want to visit an emergency or urgent care facility to have these conditions treated. In fact, statistics gathered from the Urgent Care Association of America’s 2016 Benchmarking Report found that there were 7,357 urgent care facilities throughout the United States. In addition, 92% of these facilities are able to keep wait times down to under 30 minutes. However, certain situations might be better suited for emergency room treatment. In this post, you’ll learn about what causes abdominal pain and how to seek treatment for these issues.
Common Causes of Abdominal Pain
If you’re dealing with abdominal pain, there could be many possible causes. While certain situations might be treatable on their own, many will require urgent medical services. Considering that, here is more information about four common causes of abdominal pain.
Food Poisoning
One of the most common sources for stomach pain is caused by food poisoning. This takes place when food is consumed that has been previously contaminated. Most types of food poisoning situations occur either when food goes bad or someone preparing your meals didn’t wash their hands.
Food poisoning symptoms can begin hours, days, or even weeks after consuming contaminated food. Common symptoms associated with food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, and fever. In most cases, food poisoning is an exhausting sickness that goes away on its own. However, more severe cases of food poisoning might require emergency treatment. If you’re noticing blood in your stool or are experiencing an extremely high temperature, consider seeking out urgent medical services for treatment.
Appendicitis
In other cases, the source of your stomach pain might require immediate medical treatment. This is often the case for an illness known as appendicitis. You’ll find that appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. It’s important to have appendicitis treated quickly, as the appendix could burst. Therefore, it’s best to seek urgent medical services to remedy this situation. Symptoms of appendicitis include severe stomach pain near the appendix, fever, and vomiting.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Not all sources of stomach pain are situations that require urgent medical services. In certain situations, you might be living with a condition that has previously gone unnoticed. With that in mind, one of the common sources of stomach pain is a condition known as IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
This condition causes stomach pain, gas, and alternating periods of either constipation or diarrhea. Needless to say, it can be difficult to live with an untreated case of IBS. That being said, there are medications that can be taken to help control the symptoms of this condition. If you’re noticing bloody stool, extreme weight loss, and severe stomach pains, you’ll want to consider visiting the emergency room.
Stomach Flu
Another cause of abdominal pain is the stomach flu. It’s incredibly easy to get a stomach flu confused with food poisoning. While both of these illnesses share many of the same symptoms, the stomach flu tends to last longer. Food poisoning usually last a few days while stomach flu symptoms can last up to 10 days.
To summarize, there are several common reasons for someone to experience abdominal pain. If you’re dealing with any of these previously mentioned situations, it’s best to seek out convenient care. This form of care combines both emergency and urgent care facilities under one roof. Statistics show that over 70% of ER visits end up being for non emergency situations. By choosing to visit a convenient care facility, you’ll have access to both urgent and emergency care services.