Stomach Pain Specialist Q&A

A doctor who specializes in stomach problems is a stomach specialist, also known as a gastroenterologist or a GI doctor. This kind of medical professional diagnoses and treats health conditions that occur in the gastrointestinal system. This includes conditions affecting the stomach, esophagus, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, etc. For instance, the professional can help a patient with irritable bowel syndrome, hepatitis, gastrointestinal cancer, or a similar condition. The professional may also be able to help with a related issue like a food allergy.

First, if you have severe abdominal pain, please call 911, as it may be serious and even life-threatening. If you don’t have severe abdominal pain, then you can see a GI doctor like one of ours here at Digestive Disease Care.

You should see a GI doctor if you have minor symptoms and you think you might have a problem with your stomach or digestive system. See a GI doctor if you have symptoms like:

• Minor abdominal pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing that you can’t explain
• Blood in your stool
• Any problems with digesting food properly
• Bloating
• Bleeding
• Incontinence

Also, if you’re 50 years old or older, you may need to start seeing a doctor like a GI doctor regularly. This is because men and women at this age have a higher risk of getting colon cancer.

A gastroenterologist may check your stomach with an endoscopy. This kind of test is quite common in the field of gastroenterology, and it’s done to observe internal organs (like the stomach) or tissues in detail. The test can also be done for tasks like imaging and simple surgery. An endoscopy is only minimally invasive.

In addition to endoscopies, our gastroenterologists at Digestive Disease Care provide tests like colonoscopies, biopsies, and more. These additional tests give our gastroenterologists more options for diagnosing our patients.

Common causes of stomach pain vary widely, ranging from mild to serious conditions. One frequent cause is indigestion, often triggered by overeating, eating spicy or fatty foods, or eating too quickly. Gas buildup in the digestive tract can also cause discomfort and bloating, leading to stomach pain. Another common cause is gastroenteritis, an infection of the stomach and intestines, which typically results in cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.

Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is another cause, where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing burning pain and discomfort. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic disorder affecting the large intestine, can cause recurrent stomach cramps, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, can also lead to stomach pain after consuming certain foods.

More serious causes include ulcers, which are open sores in the stomach lining that cause burning pain, and gallstones or kidney stones, which can cause severe, sharp abdominal pain. Appendicitis is an emergency condition where the appendix becomes inflamed, often presenting with intense pain in the lower right abdomen.

If stomach pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms like fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or unexplained weight loss, it’s important to seek medical evaluation promptly for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

You should see a doctor for stomach pain if the discomfort is severe, persistent, or worsening over time. While occasional mild stomach pain may result from indigestion or minor digestive upset, pain that lasts more than a few days or occurs frequently should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the pain is sudden and intense, especially if it prevents you from standing or moving comfortably.

Seek urgent care if stomach pain is accompanied by alarming symptoms such as high fever, persistent vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, or unexplained weight loss. These signs could indicate serious conditions like infections, bleeding ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding that require prompt treatment. Additionally, severe pain localized to one area, especially the lower right abdomen, may suggest appendicitis, which is a medical emergency.

Other reasons to consult a doctor include stomach pain accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or swelling of the abdomen. If pain interferes with daily activities, causes sleep disturbances, or is linked to changes in bowel habits like diarrhea or constipation lasting over a week, medical advice is recommended. Pregnant women experiencing stomach pain should also consult their healthcare provider promptly to rule out complications.

Early diagnosis by a doctor can help identify the underlying cause of stomach pain and guide appropriate treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

You can find one here at Digestive Disease Care! Go ahead and read about our professionals, or call us for a consultation with one of the professionals. During a consultation, we’ll provide an evaluation and tell you more about the tests and treatments we can provide. We’ll also make sure you’re very comfortable with your stomach specialist and our procedures at Digestive Disease Care. We have convenient locations to serve you in Melville NY, New Hyde Park NY, Forest Hills NY, Jericho NY, Mineola NY, Lake Success NY, Babylon NY, East Setauket NY, Massapequa NY, Riverhead NY and BEYOND.

We look forward to your visit with us!