Everyone is bound to experience abdominal pain in their life. Abdominal pain is usually not severe, and you can manage it with home care treatment, but if the pain is severe, you may need an accurate diagnosis. Fortunately, Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care, your leading White Plains urgent care has cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and treatments for abdominal pain.

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain refers to the dull, achy, crampy, or intermittent pain that you experience below your chest and above your pelvic regions. Abdominal pain can occur due to medical conditions such as infections, inflammation, intestinal blockages, and abnormal growths. There are several types of abdominal pain, including:

Localized abdominal pain

Localized abdominal pain usually affects one area of your belly. You may experience this due to a defect in a particular organ, such as your gallbladder. Localized pain may also occur due to the open sores on the inner lining of your stomach, also known as ulcers. Stomach cramping may be due to constipation, flatulence, and bloating.

Colicky abdominal pain

Colicky abdominal pain is a type of intermittent pain that intensifies and steadily eases. It can recur weekly, yearly or monthly.  This type of pain is also common in babies, and it can make babies cry for long periods.

Generalized abdominal pain

Unlike localized abdominal pain, generalized pain usually covers more than half of your belly, making it difficult for you to carry out your daily activities. The intensity of your pain may not necessarily indicate the seriousness of your underlying condition. For instance, viral gastroenteritis may cause severe cramping, while fatal diseases like colon cancer may only cause mild pain.

What factors contribute to the occurrence of abdominal pain?

Several conditions ranging from mild to life-threatening medical conditions can contribute to abdominal pain. You may be able to manage the minor issues at home while the life-threatening conditions may need urgent medical attention. Some of the factors leading to abdominal pain include:

• Appendicitis
• Constipation
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Gallstones
• Bowel blockage
• Pancreatitis
•  Food poisoning
• Gastroenteritis
• Kidney stones
• Diverticulitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Urinary tract infection
• Ulcers

Women may also experience abdominal pain due to gynecological issues such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Formé  Medical Center and Urgent care specialists recommend that you seek immediate medical care if your pain is recurrent or worsens over time. You should also go for a check-up if your pain is accompanied by diarrhea, inability to have your bowel movement or vomiting. Additionally, let your health care provider know if you notice blood in your stool.

What happens during an abdominal pain examination?

During your appointment at Formé  Medical Center and Urgent Care, the experts perform a thorough physical exam., review your medical history and enquire about your symptoms. To detect the underlying cause of your pain, they may order diagnostic testing like:

• Imaging studies like X-rays
• Blood work or urinalysis
• Reflux
• Stress test to detect any heart condition

After diagnosis, your provider recommends the most appropriate treatment plan. Call the Formé  Medical Center and Urgent Care office or schedule an online appointment to obtain long-term relief from abdominal pain.

Paul watson