Thursday, June 16, 2016
Tummy trouble can be short-lived, come and go, or show up only after you eat—all clues to the cause. Doctors can also run a number of tests to narrow it down, says Vivek Kaul, MD, acting chief of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y.
A stomach ache is a term often used to refer to cramps or a dull ache in the tummy (abdomen). It's usually short-lived and is often not serious.
Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. If it starts suddenly and unexpectedly, it should be regarded as a medical emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area.
- Food poisoning, or food-borne illness, is a condition that occurs as a result of eating food that is contaminated with infectious organism or toxins produced by these infectious organisms. A number of bacteria, viruses or parasites can cause food poisoning, but some of the most common include E. coli and salmonella. Each case of food poisoning varies based on the type of organism that causes the illness; however, general symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, loss of appetite and fever. MayoClinic.com notes that symptoms may begin within hours of eating the contaminated food and can last from one to 10 days. Most cases of food poisoning do not require medical intervention. It is important to stay hydrated while symptoms persist to avoid dehydration. Those who are severely dehydrated because of the symptoms of food poisoning may require intravenous administration of fluid and electrolytes to normalize fluid and salt balance in the body.
- Information obtained by taking a patient's history is important in helping doctors determine the cause of pain. This includes the way the pain begins, its location, pattern, and duration. It also includes what makes the pain worse as well as what relieves it. Associated signs and symptoms, such as fever, diarrhea, or bleeding also are considered.
- When does the pain occur? Always? More often in the morning or at night? If the pain comes and goes, about how long does it last each time? Does it occur after eating certain types of foods or after drinking alcohol? During menstruation? These are typical questions your doctor may ask that may help determine the cause. For example, abdominal pain that comes on suddenly may suggest a sudden event such as the interruption of the supply of blood to the colon (ischemia) or obstruction of the bile duct by a gallstone
A stomach ache is a term often used to refer to cramps or a dull ache in the tummy (abdomen). It's usually short-lived and is often not serious.
Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. If it starts suddenly and unexpectedly, it should be regarded as a medical emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area.
- Food poisoning, or food-borne illness, is a condition that occurs as a result of eating food that is contaminated with infectious organism or toxins produced by these infectious organisms. A number of bacteria, viruses or parasites can cause food poisoning, but some of the most common include E. coli and salmonella. Each case of food poisoning varies based on the type of organism that causes the illness; however, general symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, loss of appetite and fever. MayoClinic.com notes that symptoms may begin within hours of eating the contaminated food and can last from one to 10 days. Most cases of food poisoning do not require medical intervention. It is important to stay hydrated while symptoms persist to avoid dehydration. Those who are severely dehydrated because of the symptoms of food poisoning may require intravenous administration of fluid and electrolytes to normalize fluid and salt balance in the body.
- Information obtained by taking a patient's history is important in helping doctors determine the cause of pain. This includes the way the pain begins, its location, pattern, and duration. It also includes what makes the pain worse as well as what relieves it. Associated signs and symptoms, such as fever, diarrhea, or bleeding also are considered.
- When does the pain occur? Always? More often in the morning or at night? If the pain comes and goes, about how long does it last each time? Does it occur after eating certain types of foods or after drinking alcohol? During menstruation? These are typical questions your doctor may ask that may help determine the cause. For example, abdominal pain that comes on suddenly may suggest a sudden event such as the interruption of the supply of blood to the colon (ischemia) or obstruction of the bile duct by a gallstone
