“If you’re having unpleasant stomach pains, we recommend seeing your GP or gastroenterologist to find out what’s going on,” Dr. Nathu says.
If you can’t see a gastroenterologist for a while, Sarkar says it’s okay to just see your primary care physician. “If it’s uncomfortable, we don’t want to delay it,” Sarkar said. Stomach problems can cause weakness and can also cause further problems with bowel movements and eating habits.
“The bottom line is that all pain is real and should be evaluated,” Nathu says.
However, the type of pain you’re feeling will determine your next steps, as some symptoms are more severe than others, especially if new pain occurs suddenly.
“If you experience severe, acute pain, you should go to the ER. The concern is that the pain may be due to a cause that requires emergency intervention,” Nathu said. explained.
Certain symptoms associated with abdominal pain should also be addressed as soon as possible.
“We always say if it’s a new symptom, you should probably talk to someone,” Sarkar says. This is especially true if certain gastrointestinal “alarm factors” occur at the same time as the pain, such as new abdominal pain, bleeding from the intestines, or weight loss.
One-off abdominal pain is possible, but if you have mild chronic abdominal pain that is not debilitating and lasts more than a week or two, you should seek medical attention, Nathu said. said.
It’s also important to take your pain and symptoms seriously if you have a family history of stomach, esophageal, or colon cancer, says Dr. Ekta Gupta, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. .
According to a recent American Cancer Society report, colorectal cancer is becoming increasingly common among young people. This is something everyone should take seriously, as colorectal cancer diagnosis rates in people under 55 increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.
It is important to report any bowel-related symptoms to your doctor, as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and bloody stools are all signs of illness.
