Abdominal / Pelvic pain

CHRONIC ABDOMINAL PAIN

Most people will experience abdominal pain at some point in their lives. For many individuals that pain tends to be fleeting, subsiding over time when underlying conditions are treated. If pain symptoms continue despite treatment, or if the cause of the patient’s discomfort is unclear, he or she may be referred to a pain management specialist for evaluation and pain treatment.
Abdominal pain may be a sign of a serious health issue. If the pain in your abdomen is severe, lasts for several days, or is the result of an injury, make an appointment with your doctor. You should also see a doctor if your pain is accompanied by a fever, abdominal swelling, the inability to pass stool for several days, vomiting and/or diarrhea, or painful urination.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have blood in your vomit or stool, have difficulty breathing, or are pregnant.

DIAGNOSING YOUR ABDOMINAL PAIN

Pain in the abdomen can be visceral, meaning it comes from the organs inside the abdominal cavity (e.g. the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, colon or pancreas), or it can originate from abdominal wall tissue. Though less common, it is also possible for pain to be referred to the abdomen as a result of problems in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, ovaries or lower lungs.
In order to treat your abdominal pain, a doctor will first need to identify what is causing it. This is usually done with a physical exam and a review of your medical history. The doctor may be able to narrow down the cause of your pain based on its location (center of the abdomen, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, upper left, lower left, upper right, or lower right), but additional tests may be required to make a definitive diagnosis.
Some of the tests your doctor may order include lab tests (blood, stool or urine), barium swallow tests, endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan. A differential block may also be used to localize the cause of your pain. Celiac plexus bock, hypogastric plexus block, and splanchnic nerve block are three possible options your doctor may consider.

ABDOMINAL PAIN TREATMENT

Your treatment will vary depending on the cause of your problem, and a care plan will be tailored to your condition and individual symptoms. Treatment options for abdominal pain may include:

• Medication
• MRadiofrequency ablation
• MSpinal cord stimulation
• MNerve blocks
• MCryoablation

To get a diagnosis and start treatment, call 859-282-2024 to schedule a consultation with one of our pain specialists. Paradigm Pain and Spine’s highly skilled physicians are board certified in Pain Medicine, Interventional Pain Management, and Anesthesia and are constantly learning about new and innovative procedures to treat abdominal pain.