FODMAP diet – effective help for sensitive stomachs
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Abdominal pain
Stomach symptoms are a very common condition and abdominal pain can be caused by many different factors. We recommend examining the causes of abdominal symptoms and the treatment options if the ailments start to affect your life.
Abdominal pain in brief
- Abdominal pain is a common condition, the causes of which can vary in the upper abdomen, lower abdomen and intestines.
- The cause of upper abdominal problems may be reflux disease, for example, whereas lower abdominal pain is often gynaecological. With age, bowel function also slows down and various bowel diseases become more common.
- Abdominal pain is examined via a doctor’s general examination and laboratory tests. If necessary, more thorough examinations such as endoscopy of the stomach and colon are performed.
When should you see a doctor about stomach pain?
If you experience sudden and severe abdominal pain, you should see a doctor quickly and find the nearest Mehiläinen on-call general practitioner service. Temporary and mild abdominal pain does not usually require an assessment by a doctor.
However, if the stomach issues produce one of the following symptoms, for example, we recommend seeing a doctor:
- unexpected and severe changes in bowel functions, in terms of constipation or diarrhoea
- bowel functions start to fluctuate significantly
- difficulty defecating
- bloody or mucous stool
- black stool
- frequent abdominal pain
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- anaemia.
If you are in doubt about what to do in your case, we recommend that you contact our customer service by calling 010 414 00 (local network rate/mobile charge). Our customer service can guide you to the right specialist, if necessary.
How is abdominal pain examined?
Basic abdominal examinations include a general examination carried out by a doctor. The examinations are complemented by basic laboratory tests, usually haemoglobin, inflammatory markers, lactose intolerance, antibodies to coeliac disease, and H. pylori. Sometimes, liver and pancreatic functions are also tested.
More in-depth examination of abdominal discomfort
If the causes of the symptoms cannot be identified in basic examinations, a more in-depth examination of the gastrointestinal tract and the abdomen is considered. These include gastroscopy and colonoscopy. The doctor often decides to perform both gastroscopy and colonoscopy in order to determine the cause of the stomach problems.
- Gastroscopy is performed when the doctor suspects a disease that requires treatment in the area of the oesophagus, stomach or the first part of the small intestine. Gastroscopy can be used to diagnose, for example, gastric ulcer or coeliac disease. During the examination, biopsies may be taken and polyps removed.
- Colonoscopy is performed if the symptoms are suggestive of diseases of the rectum or colon. A colonoscopy helps to detect diseases in good time and to speed up the start of the right treatment.
You can also seek a colonoscopy on your own initiative, even if you do not have any problems or symptoms. This is particularly recommended if you have a family history of cancer in the stomach or colon. The aim is to carry out the examination as pleasantly as possible; there is no need to be nervous.
Prices for appointments with specialists, such as gynaecologists, dermatologists, cardiologists, orthopaedists and ophthalmologists, can be found in our appointment booking service.
Take into account in the price list
The price estimate includes the Kanta fee and the outpatient fee.| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Appointment with a specialist, 10 min Price per appointment. | from 27,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 57,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 20 min Price per appointment. | from 46,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 76,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 30 min Price per appointment. | from 55,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 85,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 45 min Price per appointment. | from 66,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,20 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 30 min Price per appointment. | from 69,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 45 min Price per appointment. | from 95,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 132,00 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 60 min Price per appointment. | from 108,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 148,00 € |
Gastrointestinal problems
Acid reflux
A disease where the stomach contents rising into the oesophagus repeatedly cause heartburn or inflammation of the oesophagus.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
The most typical symptom of inflammatory bowel diseases is diarrhoea. If the diarrhoea persists, blood may be present in the stool.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel movements.
Lactose intolerance
The inability to digest lactose due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms.
Frequently asked questions about abdominal pain
Abdominal symptoms are a common condition and can be caused by many different factors. It is important to find out the causes of the symptoms and the treatment options, especially when they start to interfere with everyday life.
Approximately 40% of the population suffers from upper abdominal discomfort at some point in their lives. One common cause is reflux disease, which often manifests as heartburn when acid contents in the stomach enter the oesophagus.
Lower abdominal pain, on the other hand, is often gynaecological and the causes are best determined via a gynaecologist’s appointment.
With age, bowel functions slow down, hemorrhoids start to show symptoms and diverticulosis may occur. The likelihood of benign and malignant tumours of the intestine also increases rapidly after the age of 50.
You should see a doctor if your stomach pain is sudden and severe or if your symptoms include, for example, sudden changes in bowel function, bloody stools, recurrent stomach pain, weight loss, loss of appetite or anaemia.
