Stomach pain: which doctor should I see?
Pain in the upper abdomen can be burning, heaviness, cramping or sharp pain. It is often linked to eating, but sometimes a condition a doctor should assess lies behind it. Here you will learn what may be behind it, when it is urgent and which specialist to see.
Book a specialistWhen it is urgent
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain, or a belly that is very painful to touch or as hard as a board.
- You vomit blood, green matter or material like coffee grounds, bleed heavily from the anus, or your stools are black like tar.
- Pain with a high fever, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- The pain moves down and to the right and gets worse when you move.
- Abdominal pain with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, marked dizziness, fainting, confusion or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
- You cannot pass urine at all, or cannot pass stools or wind.
With these signs, seek emergency help — call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call 112What it may mean
- Gastritis or an ulcer — burning or pain in the upper abdomen, often on an empty stomach or after meals.
- Stomach contents coming back up (reflux) — heartburn and burning behind the breastbone.
- Irritable bowel — pain and bloating that change with bowel movements.
- Gallstones — pain under the right ribs, often after fatty food.
- Food poisoning — pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Which specialist
- Gastroenterologist in Sofia — 19 doctors and servicesGastroenterologist — all doctors
- Surgeon in Sofia — 24 doctors and servicesSurgeon — all doctors
Gastroenterologist in Sofia
How to prepare for the visit
Note when the pain appears, whether it is linked to meals and what eases it. Bring earlier test results, such as an ultrasound or a gastroscopy, and a list of the medicines you take, painkillers included.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat before the visit?
For an ordinary visit, yes. If an ultrasound or a gastroscopy is planned, ask whether you need to fast.
When is a gastroscopy needed?
The doctor decides after the examination — for example with long-lasting complaints or warning signs.
Gastroenterologist or surgeon?
For long-lasting pain, heartburn or changes in digestion the first specialist is a gastroenterologist. For a hernia or gallstones, a surgeon. For sudden severe pain do not wait for an appointment — get emergency help. If you are or may be pregnant and have abdominal pain, see a doctor today.
This information does not replace a visit to a doctor.