When To See A Doctor
If you suspect a stomach ulcer, it is a good idea to go ahead and call our Integrity team to help you. If you are having bleeding or obstruction, you need to come in immediately so we can make sure surgery isnt needed. Additionally, stomach cancer could be an outcome of some of the most serious cases, so stomach ulcers should not be ignored. If you are feeling weak, short of breath, or have a sharp pain that wont go away, see a doctor immediately.
To get relief and treatment from a stomach ulcer or some other concern you may have, contact our Integrity Urgent Care Clinics today. We can provide you with the care you need to get well and to return to your day-to-day.
Dont Take Any Chances When It Comes To Abdominal Pain In North Texas
Get to the bottom of your stomach pain, get rapid relief from your symptoms, and start feeling more like yourself again with advanced diagnosis and treatment at either of iCare ER & Urgent Cares convenient locations in Frisco and Fort Worth, TX. Whether your abdominal pain is moderate, severe, chronic, or new, our team of award-winning board-certified emergency room physicians and professional staff is here to help you get the effective treatment and reliable relief you deserve.
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Reasons Behind Stomach Pain
As a key part of your digestive tract, your stomach is responsible for making enzymes that break down the food you eat before advancing its contents to the small intestine.
You may develop pain from gas or experience discomfort from bloating when you eat too much food, or when food disagrees with you. These issues typically resolve quickly, perhaps with the aid of over-the-counter medications.
Common causes of stomach pain may include:
Excessive stress can also contribute to stomach pain and other digestive issues. Women may experience abdominal cramping and pain as part of their monthly period.
Pain in your stomach or abdomen can also be a warning sign that something more serious is wrong. For instance, a sharp or persistent pain in one specific area can be a symptom of a heart attack, organ rupture, or other serious medical condition.
Persistent abdominal pain can also stem from inflammatory bowel disease , irritable bowel syndrome , or kidney stones.
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When To Go To Urgent Care For Stomach Pain
When to go to Urgent Care for Stomach pain
Many times, stomach pain is a symptom of an acute issue like food poisoning or appendicitis. And if you have abdominal pain on top of diarrhea and vomiting , go to urgent care. Delaying treatment for these acute issues can result in serious complications and long-term health problems. So remember: when youre vomiting blood or experiencing severe abdominal pain, dont hold offgo straight to urgent care.
Common stomach pain can be caused by a number of different factors, including gas, stress, overeating and more. If youre having constant severe pain or youre vomiting regularly, it may be a good idea to head over to urgent care. There are several signs and symptoms that should have you considering urgent care: Persistent Nausea : If your nausea is consistent and doesnt get better after taking an anti-nausea medication such as Zofran or Kytril , you may have something more serious than an upset stomach.
Frequent stomach pain is a symptom of many different conditions. Gastrointestinal distress can be caused by a number of things, such as indigestion or food allergies. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious issues like ulcers and even cancer. If you notice persistent stomach pain accompanied by vomiting, fever or other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Also consult your doctor if youre experiencing bloody stool, abdominal cramps that dont subside or sudden weight loss.
How Are Ulcers Diagnosed
The first step to finding relief is to properly diagnose the symptoms that you are experiencing. The team at Prima Medicine employ a variety of methods to determine if you have an ulcer, and, if so, whats causing it.
A doctor or nurse practitioner starts by performing a thorough medical exam and gathering a complete medical history. They will probably order tests of your stool, breath, and/or blood to look for signs of h. pylori infection.
In some cases, an endoscopy will be necessary. An endoscopy is a procedure where a flexible tube is inserted through the throat and down the esophagus into the stomach to collect tissue samples and to take pictures.
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What Causes Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcer form when stomach acid damages the walls of the stomach and small intestine. The causes are: Bacteria- Although H. pylori is common in most peoples bodies, some individuals react to the bacteria differently in that their stomach acid production quantity increases which leads to the mucus layer breaking down and irritating the digestive tract. Certain pain relievers- Frequent Aspirin usage over a long-time period can increase likelihood of a peptic ulcer. NSAIDs like ibuprofen block your body from making a chemical that protects your inner stomach and small intestine walls from stomach acid.Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can also increase the likelihood of developing an ulcer. Stress and eating spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but they may perpetuate them.
There is no definite cause behind mouth ulcers, but there are many factors that may include:
- Minor mouth injuries- dental work, brushing, or accidental biting
- Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate
- Food sensitivity to acidic food- strawberries, citrus, or coffee
- Lack of essential vitamins- B12, zinc, folate, and iron
- Allergic response to bacteria
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When To Go To An Er For Stomach Pain
So, how do you know when its time to head to the ER for stomach pain? Most episodes of stomach pain are nothing to worry about and will resolve on their own. However, it may be time to seek medical attention when stomach pain progresses, and you begin to develop other symptoms.
If the following symptoms accompany your stomach pain, it may be time to go to the emergency room:
- Abdomen is extremely hard
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
- Persistent vomiting
- Trouble having a bowel movement
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Serious Recent Procedures Or Diagnoses
Some abdominal issues causes may result from recent abdominal medical procedures such as surgery to the appendix or severe medical conditions such as a ruptured appendix, cancer, cardiac conditions, or organ failure. For instance, if you experience abdominal pain after a recent surgery, then constipation or infections may be the immediate problem. But the severity of the symptoms that you experience will determine whether you should visit the ER.
If you experience abdominal discomfort and youve undergone the following procedures or diagnoses, then it may be prudent to promptly visit the ER instead of going to an urgent care clinic.
- Recent surgery in the abdomen
- Upper abdominal pain and chest tightness, especially if youre over 45 years old
- If you have a history of cardiac problems such as stroke and heart attacks
- If youve undergone a recent gastric bypass surgery
- If youve undergone a recent upper endoscopy or colonoscopy
Is Stomach Pain A Sign Of Covid
Fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath are some of the hallmark symptoms of COVID-19. However, a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggested that abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting may also be early indicators of COVID-19.
Its important to keep in mind that if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or a combination of any of those symptoms, it doesnt necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. However, its wise to pay extra attention to your health and such symptoms at this time. For your peace of mind and safety, its best to undergo .
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Could I Have An Ulcer And Not Know It
5 min Read Time
Around 25 million people will have a stomach ulcer in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite their prevalence, the symptoms of an ulcer can frequently be mistaken for other conditions, like heartburnand some people may not show any signs at all. Its also unlikely that stress or your diet is the culprit. If youre concerned that your stomach pain could be something more serious, read on to find out the causes, proper treatment and prevention methods for peptic ulcers.
Emergency Care At Community Hospital Of Huntington Park
Medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly at any time, so its important to know where to go for care. At Community Hospital of Huntington Park, we offer 24/7 emergency services for fast and efficient care. Were committed to treating everyone who comes through our doors with compassion and the highest level of care.
While offering the same advanced treatment options as a large hospital, our emergency department is conveniently located close to home in a comfortable, personalized setting. Our on-site laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology ensure thorough, comprehensive treatment.
If you are unable to take yourself or a loved one to the hospital in the event of a medical emergency, always call 911.
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What Is A Gastrointestinal Disease Or Digestive Illness
GI diseases may also include more chronic diagnoses, such as Crohns disease, irritable bowel syndrome , celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or liver disease, and may require long-term, speciality treatment to maintain functional gastrointestinal health.
There are several different types of GI illnesses, including viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning and even constipation. On this page, youll learn more about some of the most common short-term GI illnesses we see at MedExpress.
Did you know? The National Institutes of Health reports that between 60 and 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases each year.1
How To Know If Your Abdominal Pain Is Serious
Any abdominal pain could be serious, as the underlying cause may need immediate care. You should seek emergency care if your abdominal pain:
- Comes on suddenly and is severe, especially in the lower right side.
- Comes on suddenly in the lower abdomen on either side, and youre a woman.
- Gets increasingly worse in a short time.
Pain is pain, but if you also have any of these symptoms, you should seek urgent care:
- Abdominal swelling.
- Constipation in spite of urge.
- Diarrhea or loose, watery stool.
- Gas and bloating, or the inability to pass gas.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Radiating or pulsing sensation near the navel.
- Severe pain after eating a fatty meal.
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When Should I Seek Emergency Care For Stomach Pain
If your stomach pain is severe enough that you cant stand or you begin vomiting blood, you should go to the emergency room. The following are some other indicators of when stomach pain may be more serious:
- The abdomen is tender when touched
- Coughing up or vomiting blood or green or yellow fluid
- Bloody diarrhea
- Pain the neck, shoulder, or between the shoulder blades
- Inability to have a bowel movement accompanied by vomiting
- The pain lasts for several days
Mid 20s Female With Nausea
Q: What are some common causes of stomach pain for females in their mid 20s?
A: If the patient is a young lady in her mid 20âs whoâs complaining about abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, the first thing that comes to my mind is that sheâs pregnant. I would want to rule out right away. You can do that with a urine test or blood test to make sure the woman is not pregnant.
Other things that first come to mind are whatâs associated with the stomach pain. So, for example, is the abdominal pain associated with diarrhea? If so, that brings into play a whole host of infectious kinds of virus, for example, viral gastroenteritis or norovirus like the cruise ship virus. Those are the kinds of things that come to mind immediately.
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Nsaid Drugs And Stomach Ulcers
A group of painkillers known as NSAIDs carries a risk of stomach ulcers. The two best-known NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.
The risk of ulcers increases if the drugs are taken in high doses, or regularly for a long time.
Stronger NSAIDs, such as those that need a prescription, are riskier for stomach ulcers than those that can be bought over-the-counter .
People should always check labels and talk to a pharmacist or a doctor about any concerns with using painkillers. They may recommend an alternative such as acetaminophen.
Iv Fluids Pain Treatment Blood Tests & Imaging Tests
Typically in the ER, youâll get an IV. Weâll put an IV in, which is giving you medications. So if youâre having severe pain weâll give you a pain medication. If youâre having nausea weâll treat that. Often times weâre giving fluid for dehydration, especially if a person has been vomiting a lot, âIâve had a lot of diarrhea.â And then Iâm thinking about testing. What do I need to do to figure this out?
In some cases someone may come in, I may push on their abdomen and in doing that I pretty much have an idea of whatâs going on, but those cases are rare. A lot of times with abdominal pain we are sending tests and so typically there Iâm doing blood work, looking at their white blood cell count, thatâs going to show me signs of infection.
Also, looking at their liver function test to see if thereâs anything there that suggests a liver problem. Look at something called the lipase, which is something that they have an issue in the pancreas. Iâm going to see things that are abnormal there. Looking at the kidneys, electrolytes. So all sorts of different blood tests.
And then beyond that I may do an ultrasound, an ultrasound to look at the gallbladder. Maybe we end up getting a CT scan to look at the appendix or the other organs in the abdomen. So itâs going to be more testing guided by where this person hurts.
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Abdominal Pain Accompanied By Additional Serious Symptoms
If you find these serious symptoms accompanying your abdominal pain experience, then its ideal to visit an emergency room instead of an urgent care center:
- Abdominal issues and bleeding while expectant
- Severe pain with a fever above 102°F
- Abdominal pain accompanied by the passing of bloody or black stool or the vomiting of blood
- Chest tightness and/or shortness of breath
- Concentrated, sudden, and severe abdominal pain accompanied by the loss of consciousness
- Abdominal pain accompanied by uncontrollable vomiting and chest pain
If youre experiencing moderate to mild pain resulting from non-serious abdominal pain causes then you can visit an urgent care center. This will be ideal if youre not experiencing any accompanying serious symptoms. Non-serious abdominal pain causes, in this case, may include menstrual cramps, constipation, gas, acid reflux, gastroenteritis, and I.B.S among others.
Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcers
A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer.
The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours.
Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include:
- dull pain in the stomach
- heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest)
- pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids
- anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
- dark, tarry stools
- vomit thats bloody or looks like coffee grounds
Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Even though discomfort may be mild, ulcers can worsen if they arent treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers symptoms depend upon the severity of symptoms. The most common symptom is a burning sensation in the abdomen. A gastric ulcer pain after eating a meal or during nighttime. Also, many people with ulcers dont even have symptoms.
Ulcers may cause severe Gastric Ulcer Symptoms such as:
Summary: Gastric ulcers signs are painful sores in the lining of the stomach which include a number of symptoms depending upon the severity of the disease.
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Is Banana Good For Ulcer
Both raw and ripe bananas are found to be very beneficial in curing stomach ulcer. There are certain antibacterial compounds in bananas that inhibit the growth of ulcer-causing H. pylori. Bananas are best to clear out the acidity of gastric juices that lowers the inflammation and strengthens the stomach lining.
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When To Go To The Doctor For Stomach Pain
Get help right away. Theres a bit of a gray area in terms of which stomach pain cases need immediate attention and which would warrant a call or visit to your doctor instead, as there can be symptom overlap. Again, listen to your body and your instincts if youre not sure.
These emergencies usually cause very noticeable and often intolerable signs and symptoms. Your stomach pain is probably a sign of an urgent medical problem if: Your pain started within a week of having abdominal surgery or a gastrointestinal procedure