Abdominal pain can occur for many reasons. It isn’t uncommon to have an upset stomach or pain in this region from overeating, eating specific types of food, or straining. In some situations, bacteria can lead to an infection here. Cramping from a viral infection in this area and gas can have similar types of pain, and it can be intense. That’s why it is important to have your Brooklyn gastro doctor take a look at any type of pain you feel, especially if it is severe, chronic, or acute.
Numerous organs exist in the abdomen and the location of the pain can give us an indication of what is causing it. Location is a good starting point, but it doesn’t answer the question about what is truly the underlying problem in most cases. That’s why you need a Brooklyn physician to take a closer look. Here are some areas of concern.
If you have pain in the center portion of your abdomen, located around the belly button, this could be brought on by a concern with the small intestine such as inflammation or it could be an appendix complication. The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that is located on the right side of your abdomen towards your hip. Obstruction here can lead to inflammation and pus buildup. This can rupture if not cared for and cause a serious infection. An appendectomy can help to reduce this risk. This condition often causes vomiting, nausea, fever, and a loss of appetite.
Pain in this area is much less common. If it does occur here, it may be due to a complication of the spleen, stomach, colon, or pancreas. All of these require a doctor’s attention.
Pain in this location, which is just above the belly button, can signal a concern related to the stomach. If it becomes persistent or chronic, it can also indicate a complication with the gallbladder and pancreas.
Individuals experiencing strong pain signals from this area may have gallbladder inflammation. Most commonly, the pain will extend into the center of your abdomen. You may be able to feel it in your back as well. In some cases, inflammation of the pancreas, colon or duodenum can also cause a similar type of pain in this area.
Pain in this location is often related to the colon. This is where your body removes nutrients from food and then works to discard waste from the body. You may have inflammatory bowel disease or an infection called diverticulitis if the pain is severe.
Pain present under the navel often seems to spread to either side. If this occurs, it is often related to the colon. If the pain is more severe, this can be due to a kidney stone or a urinary tract infection as well. In women, it can also be a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease.
In some cases, it may feel like the entire area hurts or that the pain is moving. Because of the nerve pathways in this area of the body, it can be hard to pinpoint a specific location. Pain from the pancreas, for example, may be from a heart attack or pneumonia – it’s often difficult to tell.
Don’t face abdomen pain on your own. Our doctors in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn and Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn can help you to determine if the pain is food-related, illness-related, or injury-related and provide you with help overcoming it.
