How your stomach specialist in Tucson, AZ, can help when you have stomach pain
Stomach pain can come on suddenly or it can develop and increase with time. When you experience stomach pain, it can be scary, because you may not know the cause. Fortunately, your stomach specialist is an expert at diagnosis and treatment of stomach pain and can help you feel better.
Dr. Miguel Arenas at Mesquite Gastroenterology and Surgery Center in Tucson, AZ, provides a wide range of gastroenterology services, including treatment of stomach pain.
You should see a stomach specialist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- A fever over 101 degrees
- Blood in your stools
- Vomiting blood
- Breathing problems
- Yellowing of your eyes or skin
- Abdominal swelling
- Uncontrollable pain
If you are suffering from mild stomach pain, it could be due to:
- Influenza
- Chronic constipation
- Lactose intolerance
- Food allergies
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If you are suffering from moderate to severe stomach pain, it can be due to serious medical conditions like these:
- Gastrointestinal ulcers
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Stomach cancer
When you visit your stomach specialist, your doctor may recommend imaging studies and other tests including:
- An upper endoscopy, to examine your upper intestine and stomach
- A colonoscopy, to examine your colon and rectum
- Blood tests and additional laboratory testing
Your stomach specialist will review your tests, and once a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan will be developed to ease your symptoms and help you recover. Your stomach specialists may also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to help ease the burden on your stomach. Some of these changes include:
- Eating a bland diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT)
- Eating smaller amounts of food, more slowly
- Taking a small amount of peppermint or ginger
- Drinking chamomile or licorice tea
- Taking over-the-counter antacids
- Avoiding smoking and tobacco use
- Avoiding drinking alcohol
- Avoiding taking aspirin or NSAID medications
Stomach pain doesn’t have to control your life. To find out more about the causes and treatment of stomach pain and when to see your stomach specialist, call Dr. Miguel Arenas at Mesquite Gastroenterology and Surgery Center in Tucson, AZ. You can reach him in the office by calling (520) 722-0744, so call today.