Abdominal Pain Evaluation at 14 Street Medical Arts

Are you experiencing abdominal pain, stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea, or unexplained digestive symptoms? Abdominal pain is extremely common, but determining what is causing it is important because many different organs and medical conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Pain may originate from the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, urinary tract, or other structures within the abdomen.

At 14 Street Medical Arts, our physicians provide comprehensive evaluations for abdominal pain and related symptoms. When medically appropriate, patients have convenient access to advanced diagnostic imaging, including Abdominal Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI, and Digital X-ray.

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Our goal is to determine the cause of your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

What Does Abdominal Pain Feel Like?

Abdominal pain can occur anywhere between the chest and pelvis.

Patients may describe their symptoms as:

• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Dull or aching pain
• Burning
• Cramping
• Pressure or fullness
• Upper abdominal pain
• Lower abdominal pain
• Right-sided abdominal pain
• Left-sided abdominal pain
• Pain that comes and goes
• Pain that becomes worse after eating

The location and type of pain can provide important clues about its cause.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

There are many possible causes of abdominal pain.

Gallstones and Gallbladder Problems

Gallstones may cause pain in the upper right abdomen, particularly after eating. Some patients also experience nausea, vomiting, or pain that radiates toward the back or right shoulder.

An Abdominal Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate the gallbladder and look for gallstones.

Fatty Liver and Liver Problems

Liver conditions may sometimes cause discomfort or fullness in the upper right abdomen.

Patients with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, or metabolic conditions may also be at increased risk for fatty liver disease.

Abdominal Ultrasound and, when appropriate, MRI can provide valuable information about the liver.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones may cause severe pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen. The pain may travel toward the groin and may be accompanied by nausea or blood in the urine.

Gastritis and Acid Reflux

Inflammation of the stomach or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause:

• Upper abdominal discomfort
• Burning
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Symptoms after eating

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis may cause abdominal pain, often involving the lower left side, along with fever or changes in bowel habits.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS may cause recurring:

• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Changes in bowel habits

Constipation

Constipation is another common cause of abdominal discomfort, bloating, pressure, and cramping.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis frequently causes pain that becomes concentrated in the lower right abdomen and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or fever.

Suspected appendicitis requires urgent medical evaluation.

Abdominal Pain and Bloating

Abdominal pain frequently occurs together with bloating or abdominal fullness.

Possible causes include:

• Constipation
• Food intolerance
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gastritis
• Gallbladder disease
• Liver disease
• Digestive disorders
• Fluid accumulation

Persistent or unexplained abdominal swelling should be evaluated rather than simply assumed to be related to diet.

Abdominal Ultrasound at 14 Street Medical Arts

An Abdominal Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging examination that uses sound waves to create images of organs inside the abdomen.

It does not use ionizing radiation.

Depending on the clinical situation, abdominal ultrasound can help physicians evaluate structures such as the:

• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Kidneys
• Pancreas
• Spleen
• Abdominal aorta

Ultrasound may help identify abnormalities such as gallstones, certain liver abnormalities, kidney problems, organ enlargement, fluid collections, or masses.

CT Scan for Abdominal Pain

A CT Scan of the Abdomen and Pelvis provides detailed cross-sectional images of the abdomen.

Depending on the patient's symptoms, CT may be useful in evaluating conditions such as:

• Appendicitis
• Diverticulitis
• Kidney stones
• Bowel inflammation
• Abscesses
• Certain masses
• Other causes of acute or persistent abdominal pain

Your physician will determine whether CT imaging is medically appropriate.

MRI of the Abdomen

14 Street Medical Arts also provides MRI imaging.

MRI produces detailed images without using ionizing radiation and may be particularly useful when additional evaluation of certain abdominal organs or abnormalities is necessary.

An abdominal MRI may be used to further evaluate the:

• Liver
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Gallbladder and biliary system
• Soft tissues
• Certain abdominal lesions or masses

The appropriate imaging study depends on your symptoms, examination, and medical history.

Digital X-Ray

In certain situations, your physician may recommend a Digital X-ray as part of the evaluation.

Different imaging tests answer different clinical questions, which is why evaluation by a healthcare professional is important before deciding which test is appropriate.

Why Having Diagnostic Imaging Available Matters

Abdominal pain can be challenging because many different conditions cause similar symptoms.

At 14 Street Medical Arts, patients can receive medical evaluation with access to:

• Abdominal Ultrasound
• CT Scan
• MRI
• Digital X-ray

Having these diagnostic capabilities available within our multi-specialty medical practice helps coordinate evaluation and follow-up care.

When Should You See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain?

Consider scheduling a medical evaluation if you have:

• Persistent abdominal pain
• Recurring stomach pain
• Upper right abdominal pain
• Lower abdominal pain
• Persistent bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight changes
• Pain that repeatedly occurs after eating
• Abdominal symptoms that are getting worse

The appropriate testing depends on the individual patient's symptoms and examination.

When Abdominal Pain Is an Emergency

Some abdominal symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Seek emergency medical care for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, particularly when accompanied by:

• Persistent vomiting
• Vomiting blood
• Black or bloody stool
• Fainting
• High fever
• Severe abdominal swelling
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• A rigid or extremely tender abdomen

Do not wait for a routine office appointment when symptoms suggest a medical emergency.

Why Choose 14 Street Medical Arts for Abdominal Pain?

Patients choose 14 Street Medical Arts because we provide comprehensive care with access to multiple diagnostic services.

Our services include:

• Primary care
• Multi-specialty medical evaluation
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• CT Scan
• MRI
• Digital X-ray
• Laboratory testing
• Preventive care
• Follow-up and specialist care when appropriate

Our physicians focus on identifying the cause of symptoms rather than simply treating abdominal pain without understanding why it is occurring.

Convenient Manhattan Locations

14 Street Medical Arts serves patients throughout New York City at multiple convenient Manhattan locations:

East 14 Street MedicalArts

332 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003

West 14 Street MedicalArts

110 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011

Columbus Ave MedicalArts

912 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10025

Radiology MedicalArts

500 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10009

Our locations conveniently serve patients from the East Village, Union Square, Gramercy Park, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Flatiron District, Upper West Side, and surrounding Manhattan neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abdominal Pain

What is the best test for abdominal pain?

There is no single imaging test that is best for every type of abdominal pain. Depending on your symptoms, a physician may recommend Abdominal Ultrasound, CT, MRI, X-ray, laboratory testing, or another evaluation.

Can an abdominal ultrasound find gallstones?

Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate the gallbladder and can detect many gallstones and other gallbladder abnormalities.

Can an ultrasound evaluate the liver?

Yes. Abdominal Ultrasound can provide information about the liver, including its size and appearance, and may identify certain abnormalities.

When is a CT scan used for abdominal pain?

CT imaging may be appropriate when physicians need detailed images to evaluate conditions such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, kidney stones, inflammation, or other abdominal abnormalities.

Why would I need an abdominal MRI?

MRI can provide detailed images of abdominal organs and soft tissues. Your physician may recommend MRI when additional characterization of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, biliary system, or another abnormality is necessary.

Schedule an Abdominal Pain Evaluation in NYC

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, or persistent digestive symptoms, 14 Street Medical Arts can help.

Our physicians provide comprehensive medical evaluations with convenient access to Abdominal Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI, and Digital X-ray when medically appropriate.

Schedule an appointment with 14 Street Medical Arts and let our healthcare team help determine what may be causing your abdominal symptoms.

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About 14 Street Medical Arts

14 Street Medical Arts is a multi-specialty medical practice serving New York City through locations on East 14th Street, West 14th Street, Columbus Avenue, and Radiology MedicalArts. We provide primary care, specialty medicine, preventive care, diagnostic imaging, Abdominal Ultrasound, MRI, CT, Digital X-ray, and comprehensive healthcare services for patients throughout Manhattan.