If your stomach is killing you and you don’t know why, you’re not alone. The #1 reason for visiting the ER is abdominal pain, according to the Center for Disease Control. Few symptoms are more mystifying than abdominal pain. More than just a stomach ache, heartburn or indigestion, abdominal pain can be a crippling experience and can be difficult to diagnose. “Abdominal pain can be symptomatic of any of a number of conditions—from life-threatening to fairly benign,” said Advance ER physician Dr. Alexander Lee.
What’s wrong with me?
Gallstones, aortic aneurysm, appendicitis, food poisoning, hernia, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured ovarian cyst are only a few of the conditions that can cause sudden onset abdominal pain. By paying attention to the location, duration and severity of the pain, as well as accompanying symptoms such as fever, diarrhea or vomiting, you may help your physician discover the cause of your pain.
What will you do to diagnose me?
When you arrive at Advance ER, you will be taken to a bed within minutes. “We will start with the least-invasive methods possible to diagnose abdominal pain and then proceed from there. At Advance ER, our imaging equipment is always available if we need to go further to discover the cause of the patient’s discomfort,” said Dr. Lee. “We can always consult with other specialists via our SPECIALIST NOW services, if necessary.”
When should I come to Advance ER?
“I usually tell my patients to come in right away and let us take a look,” said Dr. Lee. “This helps us rule out any of the life-threatening conditions and gives us a starting point for follow-up visits that may occur with recurring abdominal pain issues.”
Patients should come to Advance ER right away if they are experiencing any of the following:
- Nonstop abdominal pain that lasts more than a couple hours
- Abdominal pain that keeps you from sitting still or getting comfortable
- Pain in the upper right stomach, just below the ribs
- Pain that spreads to the back or right shoulder
- Pain accompanied by fever, constipation, diarrhea or vomiting
- Blood in stool
- Difficult, painful or bloody urination
- Abdomen is tender to the touch
- Abdomen is swollen
- Chest pain or pressure
- Skin or whites of eyes are yellow or discolored
- Trauma to the abdomen
Get help fast
At Advance ER, we’re here 24/7 to get to work on a diagnosis for your abdominal pain. “Some of our patients have been to their general practitioners already and have not received a diagnosis or a treatment plan for their abdominal pain. This might be because some conditions don’t manifest clearly at first and sometimes require a wait-and-see approach. We are here for you when the pain becomes too severe and you need help fast,” said Dr. Lee. Visit one of our two convenient locations in a neighborhood close to your home and get help for your abdominal pain, fast.
Advance ER is available in two locations for your convenience:
Advance ER – Galleria Area
12338 Inwood Road Dallas, TX 75244
Advance ER – Park Cities
5201 W Lovers Lane Dallas, TX 75209
Meet Dr. Alexander Lee:
Alexander Lee, M.D., is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, and has been practicing in Dallas for almost a decade.
Dr. Lee is experienced in diagnosing and treating a variety of gastrointestinal conditions including abdominal pain, liver, gallbladder, ulcerative colitis, anemia, esophagus, hemorrhoids and dysphagia. With an emphasis on open communication, Dr. Lee treats his patients with comprehensive care.
