Stomach & Abdominal Pain
Who It's For
Functional medicine support tailored to uncover the root cause of complex symptoms.
Consult with our care team to understand next steps and build a personalized plan.
Serving Denver Metro, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.
About This Condition
Abdominal pain is a common symptom that can arise from disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system, genitourinary tract, vascular structures, abdominal wall, or referred pain from extra-abdominal conditions. It ranges from vague, diffuse discomfort to localized, colicky, or sharp pain and may be acute, recurrent, or chronic. The character, location, timing, associated symptoms, and provoking or relieving factors provide important clues to underlying etiology.
Patients may describe epigastric burning or gnawing pain, periumbilical cramping, lower abdominal discomfort, right upper quadrant biliary-type pain, or diffuse aching with bloating. Associated features can include nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel habits, reflux symptoms, fever, weight loss, urinary symptoms, or gynecologic complaints. In chronic or recurrent presentations, overlapping functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or functional dyspepsia, as well as inflammatory, structural, metabolic, and psychosocial contributors, are often relevant.
Assessment focuses on identifying alarm features or red flags that suggest possible surgical or emergent pathology, while characterizing patterns that are more consistent with functional or chronic inflammatory conditions. Diagnosis typically relies on careful history and physical examination, supported by targeted laboratory tests, imaging, and endoscopy when indicated. Management is guided by the identified cause, with attention to symptom relief, risk-factor modification, and monitoring for evolution of new or concerning features.
Common Symptoms
- •Recurrent or persistent abdominal pain, discomfort, cramping, or pressure
- •Pain localized to the epigastric, periumbilical, lower abdominal, or right upper quadrant regions, with variable radiation
- •Association of pain with meals, certain foods, bowel movements, stress, or positional changes
- •Bloating, abdominal distension, or increased gas
- •Nausea or occasional vomiting accompanying pain episodes
- •Changes in stool frequency or form, including constipation, diarrhea, or alternating patterns
- •Subjective sense of abdominal sensitivity or heightened awareness of normal gut sensations
Conventional Treatment Options
Trigger assessment
Nutrition changes
Gut repair support
Our Functional Medicine Approach
Who It's For
Adults with recurrent abdominal discomfort.
Expected Outcomes
- Less pain
- Improved daily function