GERD vs Gastritis: How Are They Different?
When you have burning, nausea, stomach discomfort or an unpleasant sensation after eating, it can be difficult to know what is actually causing it. Searches for GERD vs gastritis are common because the two conditions can produce some overlapping symptoms. Yet they are not the same condition, and the location of the discomfort, timing of […]
After an ER Visit for Abdominal Pain: When Should You See a GI Specialist?
Few things are more stressful than experiencing sudden abdominal pain severe enough to send you to the emergency room. The pain may come unexpectedly, leaving you worried about what is happening inside your body. After tests, imaging, medications, or fluids, many patients leave the ER feeling relieved — but they are often left with another […]
When Should I See a Gastroenterologist for Abdominal Pain?
Almost everyone experiences abdominal pain at some point. Sometimes it is easy to explain: you ate too much, caught a stomach virus, or had temporary gas and bloating. But stomach pain can also be confusing. It may come and go for weeks, appear after meals, wake you at night, or slowly become part of your […]
H. pylori Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment
Persistent stomach discomfort, frequent indigestion, nausea, or recurring stomach ulcers often leave people wondering whether Helicobacter pylori, commonly called H. pylori, could be the cause. This bacterium is one of the most common infections worldwide, yet many people don’t realize they have it because it may not cause symptoms for years—or even at all. When […]
Abdominal Pain, IBS and Stress: How the Gut-Brain Connection Affects Gut Health
If your stomach churns before a big presentation or cramps during a stressful week, you have felt the gut-brain connection firsthand. Stress does not just feel like it affects the gut; it changes how the intestines move and how sensitive they are, and it can trigger or worsen abdominal pain, especially in people with irritable […]
Abdominal Pain Causes by Location: What Each Area Can Mean
Where your belly hurts is one of the most useful clues to what is causing it. Doctors divide the abdomen into regions, and each area sits over different organs: the stomach and pancreas in the upper middle, the liver and gallbladder on the upper right, the appendix on the lower right and the lower colon […]
Upper Abdominal Pain: Causes, Symptoms and When to See a Doctor
Upper abdominal pain, anywhere between the bottom of the ribs and the belly button, is one of the most common reasons people see a gastroenterologist. The upper abdomen holds the stomach, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and part of the colon, so the cause depends on exactly where the pain is and what comes with […]
Abdominal Pain and Bloating: Causes, Warning Signs and Relief
Abdominal pain and bloating often show up together, and the combination can range from a passing nuisance to a sign of a condition that needs care. Most of the time the cause is gas, constipation or irritable bowel syndrome, but pain with bloating can also come from food intolerances, inflammation and, less often, problems that […]
Right-Side Abdominal Pain: Causes, Warning Signs and When to Worry
Right-side abdominal pain can come from many organs: the liver and gallbladder on the upper right, the appendix and the start of the colon on the lower right, the right kidney behind them, and in women, the right ovary. Some causes, such as gas or a pulled muscle, are minor, while others, such as appendicitis […]
Pain in the Abdomen Above the Belly Button: Causes and When to Worry
Pain in the abdomen above the belly button sits right over the stomach, the first part of the small intestine and the pancreas, so it is most often linked to digestion. Indigestion, gastritis, ulcers and acid reflux are common causes, but early appendicitis, pancreatitis and even heart problems can start here too. This guide from […]