Common Questions to Ask About Relieving Upper Stomach Pain Immediately

At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, our team, including Kevin Penwell, DO, is highly skilled at diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions that can cause upper stomach pain.

Dr. Penwell, a board-certified family medicine physician, brings his vast experience and expertise to the practice, providing comprehensive care to patients experiencing upper abdominal discomfort.

Whether your upper stomach pain is due to common conditions including, peptic ulcer disease, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), cholecystitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, esophageal spasms, hiatal hernia, emotional stress, or dietary factors, we can guide you towards the appropriate medical evaluation and treatment plan.

At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, we also recognize that in rare cases, upper stomach pain can signal more serious conditions such as heart attack, aortic dissection, pneumonia, liver disease, or stomach cancer. For this reason, if your pain is severe, ongoing, or accompanied by other symptoms, we emphasize how crucial it is to get medical help.

If home remedies are not providing relief, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Visit us at Immediate Care of Oklahoma, where Dr. Penwell and our skilled team are ready to provide you with the urgent medical attention that you require.

Numerous conditions can be the source of this discomfort, like gastritis, gallstones, peptic ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Here are several methods you can utilize at home to immediately alleviate this discomfort:

Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, aids digestion and can ease the pain. However, it’s important to avoid carbonated, sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks, as they can exacerbate the situation.

Dietary Modifications: Limit your food intake until the pain subsides. Overeating or consuming greasy, spicy, high-fat, or acidic foods can worsen stomach pain. Eat little, frequent meals throughout the day as an alternative. Keep in mind that food allergies or intolerances could be causing the discomfort.

Over-the-Counter Medications: Antacids can help reduce stomach acid production and offer short-term relief. Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers can help lessen the generation of acid and ease pain. However, these should only be taken if recommended by a healthcare professional.

Heat or Cold Therapy: Muscles can be relaxed and discomfort can be decreased by having a warm bath, using a warm compress, or applying a heating pad to the upper abdomen. Alternatively, a cool compress in the same area may also be effective.

Rest and Elevation: After eating, refrain from instantly laying down or getting in bed. Rest in an upright position, such as sitting or reclining in a chair, to aid digestion.

Stress Reduction: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate stomach pain. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga can help manage stress and reduce pain.

Lifestyle Changes: Frequent exercise might lessen the chance of stomach aches and enhance digestion. Avoid smoking, as it can irritate the stomach lining. Maintain proper dental hygiene to prevent oral bacteria from entering the stomach.

Despite these relief measures, if the pain persists, becomes severe, is accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or if you find blood or coffee-ground-like material in the vomit, seek immediate medical attention at Immediate Care of Oklahoma. This can indicate a more serious illness that requires professional medical treatment, which Dr. Penwell can provide.

Upper stomach pain, originating from a multitude of potential medical conditions, can range from mild discomfort to serious illnesses such as peptic ulcers, gallstones, or even heart attacks. When you’re experiencing persistent upper stomach pain, it’s crucial to seek urgent medical attention immediately. At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, Dr. Kevin Penwell, are equipped to evaluate, diagnose, and initiate appropriate treatments based on the root cause of your pain.

The treatment for upper stomach pain in our urgent care depends on the underlying cause. For minor digestive disturbances like gas, indigestion, or constipation, over-the-counter medications may provide relief.

When there is a suspicion of an infection or in more serious instances, like a stomach ulcer caused by H. pylori bacteria, Dr. Penwell may prescribe stronger medications such as proton pump inhibitors or antibiotics, which lessen the production of stomach acid.

If the pain is severe and persistent, or caused by issues like gallstones blocking the bile ducts or a suspected heart attack, our urgent care doctors may recommend hospital admission for possible surgery or immediate transfer to a hospital for specialized cardiac care.

Besides medications, our doctors at Immediate Care of Oklahoma may also recommend lifestyle modifications to help alleviate and prevent future upper stomach pain. These may include eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding trigger foods or drinks, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, managing stress, and quitting smoking.

Remember, untreated upper stomach pain can lead to more serious health complications. Therefore, seeking prompt medical attention at Immediate Care of Oklahoma is crucial to ensuring proper diagnosis and timely treatment. Please note that while our urgent care centers provide prompt and effective treatment, they are not a substitute for emergency care in life-threatening situations or long-term management of chronic conditions.

Understanding when to seek immediate medical attention for upper abdominal pain can potentially save your life. Even though most cases of upper abdominal pain are not life-threatening, certain symptoms warrant a visit to Immediate Care of Oklahoma, where Dr. Kevin Penwell and his professional medical team are ready to provide the necessary care.

Immediate medical attention at any of our Immediate Care of Oklahoma clinics should be sought for severe, unrelenting pain that prevents you from carrying out daily activities. This could indicate conditions such as gallstones or a perforated stomach ulcer. Moreover, if the pain is followed by additional symptoms like tarry or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or rapid swelling or bloating of the abdomen, it may signify a more serious issue like gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, or perforation.

Also, pain that radiates to the chest, neck, or shoulder, especially when accompanied by shortness of breath, may point to heart issues, such as a heart attack. In such cases, it is crucial to rush to one of our clinics.

Other alarming symptoms include a high fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or higher, which can indicate an infection in the abdomen, and persistent vomiting lasting more than 24 hours, causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Similarly, jaundice or yellowing of the skin, or whites of the eyes could be a sign of gallbladder or liver issues and warrant immediate medical attention.

If the abdominal pain is accompanied by a feeling of faintness, dizziness, or confusion, or if you’re unable to tolerate fluids due to pain or nausea, it is highly advisable to visit one of the Immediate Care of Oklahoma clinics. These symptoms may indicate a decrease in blood flow to vital organs or severe dehydration, which could be life-threatening.

Lastly, if you have recently experienced an injury or trauma to the abdomen, seek medical attention promptly at our clinics. Remember that the key to effectively managing upper abdominal discomfort is early detection and treatment. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance at the nearest Immediate Care of Oklahoma clinic.

In general, it’s better to be safe and let our healthcare professionals at Immediate Care of Oklahoma make the determination about the seriousness of your condition if you have severe abdominal pain or if your pain is accompanied by any of the above symptoms. Dr. Kevin Penwell and his team are always ready to provide you with the care you need. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from West Moore OK, Norman (HealthPlex) OK, Norman (24th) OK, Edmond OK, Yukon OK, I-240 & Sooner RD OK, Tecumseh OK, Bethany OK and surrounding areas.