Abdominal pain strikes everybody now and again, but it’s usually gone in a short time with no serious harm done. If you experience severe or ongoing abdominal pain, however, you should visit Michigan Avenue Primary Care in The Loop of downtown Chicago, Illinois, for a fast diagnosis and expert treatment. Sometimes abdominal pain is a sign of something that needs medical attention, and there’s no one better able to help you than Michigan Avenue Primary Care’s experienced practitioners. Call the office to schedule an abdominal pain assessment or book a consultation online today. Telehealth and same-day appointments are also available.
Many conditions can generate abdominal pain, most of which aren’t a cause for concern. Some of the more common issues that cause abdominal pain include:
Severe, acute abdominal pain could be a sign of something more serious, like appendicitis. If your abdominal pain becomes a chronic problem, it could be due to an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In some cases, chronic abdominal pain can be a sign of cancer.
Most cases of abdominal pain resolve themselves within a few days. However, if your pain is severe or doesn’t improve, you should visit Michigan Avenue Primary Care for an accurate diagnosis.
When you visit Michigan Avenue Primary Care, your provider goes through your medical history and discusses your current symptoms with you. They need to know where the pain is and what it feels like; for example, is it a stabbing pain in one place or a low ache that covers your whole abdomen? Does anything make the pain worse or better?
Your provider performs a thorough physical exam and then decides what diagnostic tests you need. These could include:
These tests can confirm the suspected cause and rule out other conditions. It’s essential for you to get an accurate diagnosis to receive the proper treatment.
The treatment your Michigan Avenue Primary Care provider recommends depends on what’s causing your abdominal pain. In many cases, abdominal pain develops because of a poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle habits, so learning how to adopt a healthier lifestyle could be the key to relieving your abdominal pain.
Diet also plays a role in food allergies or intolerances, so identifying and avoiding the allergen is vital in these cases. Chronic conditions such as IBS and IBD need careful management in partnership with Michigan Avenue Primary Care. When you have a serious or potentially life-threatening condition such as cancer, you might need to undergo surgery.
Your provider discusses the course of treatment they recommend, ensuring you know your options and why you need a particular therapy.
Call Michigan Avenue Primary Care to schedule an abdominal pain assessment or book an appointment online today.