Recurring Abdominal Pain

You need to be evaluated for bleeding, inflammation, or possibly cancer within the esophagus and stomach. Contact your doctor for an urgent evaluation.

Pain with blood in the vomit or blackened stools could be caused by

• an ulcer in the esophagus or stomach

• irritation in the esophagus or stomach lining ("esophagitis" or "gastritis")

• a tear in the esophagus

• cancer.

Swallowing difficulty could arise from

• infection

• esophagus scarring

• cancer.

Based on your symptoms, your doctor is likely to recommend evaluation with an endoscopy test (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or "EGD"). With this test, a doctor can view the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine using a flexible tube and camera.

Diagnoses that your doctor will strongly consider as he or she designs your evaluation include

• esophagitis

• esophagus ring or web

• gastritis

• gastroesophageal reflux

• peptic ulcer disease

• stomach cancer.