You move around to seek relief. If you have an episode or recurring episodes of abdominal pain 30 minutes to 1 hour following meals, call your doctor for evaluation. Additional questions may be asked regarding past medical, dietary, medication, allergy, and family history. Finally, questions regarding use of alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs may also be useful in diagnosing the illness. The doctor may also examine the chest wall and your arms and legs.
Kidney infections can cause abdominal pain similar to that caused by gallstones.
A doctor or ultrasound technician will place gel and a small smooth device on your abdominal wall. Using painless sound waves emitted from the ultrasound device, abnormalities in the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas may be seen. These include stones or signs of inflammation or infection. This test will be conducted in the Emergency Department or in a radiology department. A HIDA scan is a test in which a harmless liquid is injected into an IV line in your arm.