MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 22, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A

Abdominal Pain (cont.)

How can I help my doctor to determine the cause of my abdominal pain?

Before the visit, prepare written lists of:

  • Medications you are currently taking, including herbs, vitamins, minerals, and food supplements.
  • Your allergies to medications, food, or pollen
  • The medications that you have tried for your abdominal pain.
  • Previous hospitalizations
  • Ill family members, particularly those who have symptoms similar to yours.
  • Family members with gastrointestinal diseases (involving the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder).
  • Be candid with your doctor about your prior and current alcohol consumption and smoking habits, any history of chemical dependence.

Be prepared to tell your doctor:

  • When the pain first started
  • If there were previous episodes of similar pain.
  • How frequently episodes of pain occur
  • If each episode of pain starts gradually or suddenly
  • The severity of the pain
  • What causes the pain and what makes the pain worse
  • What relieves the pain
  • The characteristics of the pain. Is the pain sharp or dull, burning or pressure like? Is the pain jabbing and fleeting, steady and unrelenting or crampy (coming and going)?

After the visit to the doctor, do not expect an instant cure or immediate diagnosis, and remember:

  • Multiple office visits and tests (blood tests, radiographic studies, or endoscopic procedures) are often necessary to establish the diagnosis and/or to exclude serious illnesses.
  • Doctors may start you on a medication before a firm diagnosis is made. Your response (or lack of response) to that medication sometimes may provide your doctor with valuable clues as to the cause of your abdominal pain. Therefore, it is important for you to take the medication that is prescribed.
  • Notify your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse, if medications are not working, or if you think you are having side effects from the medication.
  • Call your doctor for test results. Never assume that "the test must be fine since my doctor never called."
  • Do not self medicate (including herbs, supplements) without discussing with your doctor.
  • Even the best physician never bats 1000. Do not hesitate to openly discuss with your doctor referrals for second or third opinions if diagnosis cannot be firmly established and pain persists.
  • Self education is important, but make sure what you read came from credible sources.


Next: Abdominal Pain At A Glance »

Abdominal Pain - Length Symptoms Lasted

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

How long did the symptoms of your abdominal pain last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs
See 20 Viewer Comments

View Comments


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Cox-2 Inhibitors - Explanation of Cox-2 Inhibitors (Cox-2 inhibitor drugs) used to treat the pain of arthritis conditions, colon polyps, menstrual cramps, and sports injuries.
  • Liver Blood Tests - Learn about liver blood tests used to detect liver damage disease such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatitis, Tylenol liver damage, and more. This includes measuring the aminotransferases enzymes (AST and ALT levels)
  • Rectal Bleeding - Rectal bleeding can be a sign of several different conditions including hemorrhoids, anal fisure, colitis, and more.

Latest Medical News


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain












Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.