Determining whether your abdomen’s pain is severe is challenging without an evaluation. However, some signs indicate that urgent medical attention is necessary. For instance, if your stomach is sensitive to touch or the concern is accompanied by high fever, persistent vomiting, or chest pain, you need assistance from a hospital.
Pregnant women and people that have recently undergone abdominal surgery should also consider abdominal pain severe. This article discusses information about whether your stomach pain is serious or how quickly you must seek medical care. We also provide tips to ease stomach pain when the causes are not serious.
When Does Stomach Pain Represent an Emergency?
Abdominal pain can represent a medical emergency if accompanied by the following symptoms. Abdominal tenderness to touch, extremely hard abdomen, coughing or vomiting blood, chest pain or pressure, and diarrhea.
You may also confront challenges when breathing besides dizziness, fainting, and the inability to perform bowel movements with the vomiting. You may also have neck and shoulder pain, vision changes, and pain starting near the belly button and moving toward the right, indicating signs of appendicitis and fever.
Occasionally the stomach pain is mild but worsens after a few hours, and the symptoms described may not develop until that time. If you have the above symptoms, you must call for an ambulance or have someone drive you to the emergency room near me without adopting the wait-and-see approach or taking medications for the discomfort. Instead, you must seek help from medical professionals immediately.
When abdominal pain is associated with these symptoms, it can become a life-threatening situation. Examples of such conditions include appendicitis, bowel obstruction, and a bowel perforation. Such emergencies cause immense pain making it essential to discuss the problem with a healthcare provider.
In addition, other circumstances that cause stomach pain and need help from a medical professional include pregnancy, pain starting within a week of abdominal surgery, pain emanating after a procedure on your stomach like endoscopy, having surgery on your digestive tract for gastric bypass, colostomy, or bubble resection, pain starting after abdominal trauma, rapid expansion of the abdomen, rectal or excessive vaginal bleeding, et cetera.
When Must You Contact a Healthcare Provider?
Some versions of stomach pain need immediate attention, while others can wait until you visit your healthcare provider to receive immediate care. It is challenging to determine what actions you must take. However, listening to your body and trusting your instincts is beneficial if you are unsure.
If you experience burning sensations when urinating, notice blood in the urine or feel the urgent need to urinate, pain and nausea after eating, diarrhea lasting for over five days, fever for three days or more exceeding 100°, loss of appetite, and pain worsening or not getting better within a couple of days need help from your healthcare provider. You must also contact a medical professional if you develop stomach pain while receiving cancer treatment.
Children’s Stomach Pains
Abdominal pain in children is common, and some reasons for the discomfort include constipation, stress, food allergies, indigestion, and severe cases like appendicitis in some cases. Abdominal pain lasting three hours or less is not severe. However, calling your healthcare provider immediately to receive urgent treatment is necessary if children experience other symptoms, such as diarrhea that can lead to dehydration or a fever exceeding 100.4° Fahrenheit.
Managing Stomach Pain
If the severity of your abdominal pain is not long-lasting or you don’t have the symptoms mentioned above, the pain may subside because it is often caused by minor problems. In these cases, the pain might result from foods you eat, providing relief if you wait a few hours for bowel movement or passing gas.
In addition, you can use the steps mentioned below to manage the discomfort. They are:
- Consider having clear liquids for a few hours.
- Try to remain hydrated if you have vomiting or diarrhea by taking small sips of fluids or electrolyte replacement beverages.
- Avoid challenging to digest foods besides alcohol and caffeine.
- Over-the-counter antacids can also help to relieve gas.
- A hot water bottle or heating pad on your stomach for 30 minutes also helps with abdominal pain.
The above steps may help relieve or improve stomach pain in a day or two. However, if they don’t contact your healthcare provider to receive treatment for the condition.
Stomach pain always indicates you have an urgent medical issue like appendicitis, blockages of leaks in your intestines, et cetera. Likewise, other symptoms accompanying stomach pain show signs of a medical emergency, confirming that you must visit an emergency room immediately. However, if you have a fever and diarrhea, contact your doctor to receive treatment for the health condition.
If you have stomach pain with the symptoms described, Express Emergency Room Temple provides the treatment you need after evaluating your situation. Consult them without wasting time or considering alternative methods to overcome the pain because you might have a life-threatening condition that needs treatment from medical professionals.
FAQs
A bruised stomach feeling can result from mild trauma, strained muscles, or inflammation. If the sensation worsens or spreads, it could indicate internal issues needing prompt attention. Visit our emergency room for an accurate diagnosis.
Digestive issues like gas, bloating, or constipation can make your stomach feel tender. This type of pain should improve with diet changes. If it persists, other causes may be at play. Consult our ER to rule out serious conditions.
Bloating stretches the abdominal wall, making it more sensitive to touch. This is common but shouldn’t cause severe pain. If tenderness increases or doesn’t subside, it’s worth checking.
Infections like gastroenteritis can cause abdominal tenderness, especially if accompanied by fever or vomiting. Persistent pain might indicate a deeper issue. Seek immediate medical evaluation in our ER.
Tenderness from muscles versus organs can be hard to distinguish. Muscle pain usually worsens with movement, while organ pain may feel deeper. If you’re unsure, our ER team can assess your symptoms.
Constipation causes abdominal discomfort by increasing pressure in the intestines. Gentle remedies often help, but persistent pain may indicate obstruction. Come to our ER if the pain becomes severe or unmanageable.
Upper stomach pain can stem from the stomach, liver, or pancreas. Certain conditions, like gastritis or liver inflammation, affect this area. Visit our ER to determine the exact cause of your pain.
Sharp stomach pain when touched can result from inflammation or infection. This type of pain often signals a need for urgent care, especially if it is intense. Our ER can provide fast relief and diagnosis.
Ulcers can cause tenderness if they worsen, leading to burning or soreness. If stomach pain is sharp or constant, it’s a sign to act quickly. Seek help at our ER to avoid complications.
Pain around the belly button can indicate appendicitis, especially if the pain moves to the lower right side. Don’t ignore this symptom if it’s sharp. Visit our ER immediately for an assessment.
Acid reflux can make your stomach sore from increased acid irritation. Chronic discomfort may signal something more serious. Our ER can offer quick relief and insights on managing reflux.
Ovarian cysts may cause lower abdominal tenderness, particularly on one side. This pain can mimic appendicitis or other conditions. Stop by our ER to get a clear diagnosis.
Gas buildup stretches the abdomen, leading to pressure and tenderness. If pain persists or feels unusual, further evaluation is recommended. Visit us to ensure it’s nothing serious.
Kidney stones cause intense flank pain that may radiate to the lower abdomen. If tenderness accompanies sharp, shooting pain, seek help. Our ER can provide immediate relief and treatment.
Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) causes sharp, upper-right abdominal pain and tenderness, especially after eating fatty foods. Seek urgent care if this pain worsens.
Pregnancy can increase stomach tenderness as the body changes. If the pain becomes sharp or severe, it may indicate complications. Our ER can evaluate your symptoms and ensure safety.
Exercise can strain abdominal muscles, making them sore to touch. Pain should decrease with rest. If it persists, consider getting it checked. Visit our ER for a full evaluation.
IBS can cause sensitivity, especially during flare-ups with bloating and cramping. If tenderness is extreme, a deeper issue could be present. Our ER can provide relief and guidance.
Stress-induced gastritis can cause stomach inflammation, leading to tenderness. If this pain is persistent, it’s best to rule out other causes. Visit our ER for effective treatment.
Rebound tenderness is pain felt when pressure on the abdomen is quickly released. It often signals inflammation, like appendicitis. If you experience this, come to our ER for immediate care.
