Abdominal pain is one of those symptoms that can be attributed to any of a wide variety of conditions or diseases. In many cases, your doctor will use other co-morbid symptoms to help diagnose the cause of your abdominal pain, along with testing such as bloodwork, ultrasounds, and other diagnostics. However, with so many potential causes, an inaccurate diagnosis is a possibility. Here's a look at what you should know about when it's in your best interest to seek a second opinion on abdominal pain issues.
Treatments Aren't Helping
If the treatments that your doctor prescribed based on the diagnosis aren't helping your symptoms and you've expressed this with no resolution, it may be time to seek a second opinion. Often, the treatment won't help because the diagnosis is incorrect. Your doctor may be taking a conservative approach to wait and see if more time may help the treatment to be more effective, but seeking a second opinion during this time can give you peace of mind or help you seek alternate treatment if necessary.
You Don't Feel Heard
Although doctors are in the business of listening to their patients to better understand their symptoms and make a diagnosis, sometimes it can feel as though your doctor isn't really hearing what you are saying. If you feel as though your doctor isn't really listening to you, that's another indication that you should seek a second opinion from another doctor. This is particularly true if you've been dealing with long-term abdominal pain that could be indicative of a chronic condition.
Your Intuition Tells You There's A Problem
One of the things that many people don't think about is the fact that they are their own best medical advocate. In fact, you know your body better than the doctors do. Doctors will operate based on a set of medical standards, but those standards aren't set in stone. You know your body, what you're feeling, and what those things are telling you. If you feel as though there's more to the situation than what your doctor has diagnosed, that's when you know it's time to reach out to another doctor for a second opinion.
These are some of the key times when you should seek a second opinion for your abdominal pain. While you should trust your medical professionals, mistakes can happen. Consider these tips to decide if you may need a second opinion for the diagnosis that you just received.
Share