Most people experience stomach discomfort from time to time, and it can often be linked to something you’ve eaten, a mild stomach bug, or even daily stress. In these instances, discomfort typically resolves on its own without any special treatment beyond an occasional antacid or rest.
But sometimes stomach pain isn’t a mild, temporary issue. Sometimes it’s a sign of something more serious, and knowing when discomfort merits a visit with our team at Digestive Disease Specialists is the first step in finding relief and avoiding potential complications.
Here, learn about some of the more serious causes that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Occasional heartburn (acid reflux) is common, especially after eating a large meal or spicy or acidic foods.
However, when acid reflux becomes frequent or persistent, it could mean you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This chronic condition happens when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into your esophagus.
While it might not seem like a big deal, untreated GERD can eventually lead to serious complications, such as esophageal damage, scar tissue, and narrowing. Over time, GERD-related tissue changes could even increase your risk of esophageal cancer.
Your gallbladder stores bile, a digestive juice that helps dissolve fats. If you develop a problem with your gallbladder — like gallstones — you can wind up with significant belly pain, particularly in the upper right portion of your stomach.
Pain often radiates into your right shoulder or back, and it can be accompanied by nausea, fever, and vomiting. Prompt treatment is essential not only to help you find relief but also to prevent more serious complications.
While your gallbladder stores extra digestive juices, it’s your liver that produces them. Like your gallbladder, liver issues typically cause discomfort in your upper right belly area. Common liver problems include infection, inflammation, and a buildup of fatty tissue that interferes with normal liver function.
Often, liver pain begins as a dull ache rather than a sharp pain, making it easy to overlook. Other potential symptoms include fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes), and belly tenderness.
Early detection is essential for preventing serious problems, like long-term liver dysfunction or failure.
IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, conditions that cause chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Belly pain is a common symptom of IBD, often accompanied by diarrhea, fatigue, and unintended weight loss.
Initially, pain may come and go, but over time, it tends to persist or worsen without proper treatment. IBD flare-ups can take a major toll on your quality of life, and without ongoing management, inflammation can lead to permanent damage to your digestive tract.
Our team is skilled in developing personalized treatment plans to help you manage your symptoms effectively.
Often confused with IBD, IBS also causes significant discomfort, along with symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, or both. Unlike IBD, though, IBS doesn’t cause permanent damage to your digestive tract.
That said, IBS can definitely have a major impact on your comfort and quality of life. Fortunately, our team can help you manage your symptoms with lifestyle strategies and medications when needed.
While many causes of stomach pain are mild and temporary, persistent, severe, or unusual symptoms should never be ignored.
Pain that interferes with daily life, wakes you at night, or is accompanied by symptoms like fever, vomiting, bloating, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss should be evaluated by our team as soon as possible.
Bottom line: It’s always better to be safe than to be sorry. If you have unexplained stomach pain, scheduling an evaluation is the first step toward feeling better and protecting your health.
To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Digestive Disease Specialists in Moline, Illinois, and Bettendorf, Iowa, today.
