Abdominal pain is something nearly everyone experiences at some point, often caused by mild issues like gas, indigestion, or stomach cramps. In many cases, it passes quickly and isn’t a cause for concern. However, not all abdominal pain is harmless. Sometimes, it can be a warning sign of a serious medical problem that requires urgent care. Knowing how to tell the difference between minor discomfort and a true emergency is essential. Recognizing certain red flags early can make a critical difference in getting the right treatment. So, when should you go to the emergency room? Here are key symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency you shouldn’t ignore.
When You Should Go To The Emergency Room
There are some serious symptoms that could lead you to take a trip to urgent care okc. Your abdominal discomfort could be severe and suggest a medical emergency, especially if it occurs alongside other symptoms or if you have specific underlying health issues. Symptoms that accompany abdominal pain and necessitate a visit to the emergency room include:
● Abdominal tenderness when touched
● Chest, neck, or shoulder pain
● Trouble breathing
● Bloody stool
● Extremely hard abdomen
● Inability to have a bowel movement
● Pain that travels from the belly button to the right side
● Coughing or vomiting up blood
You should also go to the emergency room if any of these symptoms start out mild but get worse over a few hours.
Other Reasons To Go To The Emergency Room
You should definitely seek medical assistance if you experience stomach pain alongside any of the following conditions or situations:
● A history of surgery related to your digestive tract, such as a gastric bypass
● You are being treated for cancer
● Recent abdominal surgery
● Pain started shortly after abdominal trauma
● Recent endoscopy
● Sharp persistent pain during pregnancy
You should definitely call an ambulance or have someone drive you to the ER. Taking medication or “waiting to see” are not viable options, as these options may exacerbate the situation, making it more difficult to treat when you do end up at the emergency room.
When You May Not Need To Go To The Emergency Room
Other symptoms may not be emergencies, but they are warning signs that you should consult a healthcare provider. These symptoms include stomach pain accompanied by diarrhea lasting longer than five days or a fever. If your symptoms are bothersome but not severe, you might be able to alleviate the discomfort with home remedies. However, if the problems persist for several days, it is advisable to reach out to your provider.
What Are Some Causes of Serious Stomach Pain?
When abdominal discomfort occurs alongside other severe symptoms, it could indicate a potentially life-threatening condition. Some examples of such conditions include:
● Bowel obstruction: food, waste, or some other material is blocking the intestine
● Appendicitis: inflammation of the appendix
● Bowel perforation: a hole forms in the intestine that leaks food material
In these instances, pain can be very extreme. For children, stomach pains are quite common. They can be the result of indigestion, stress, constipation, food allergies, or more severe conditions like appendicitis. Stomach pain lasting three hours or less is typically not serious. Contact your healthcare provider right away if a child has a fever of 100.4 F or exhibits other symptoms like diarrhea that may result in dehydration.
Recurring Stomach Pain
There are instances where stomach pain can go away and come back again. This can make you very uncomfortable, but these are not severe conditions. There are underlying health issues that could be causing your stomach pain. These conditions include:
● Cystitis: inflammation of the bladder in relation to a urinary tract infection (UTI)
● Kidney stones: painful mineral deposits that form in the kidneys
● Colitis: inflammation of the colon
● Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): this is a chronic functional digestive disorder that causes constipation and/or diarrhea
You should definitely see a doctor for a physical exam instead of going to the emergency room. But if the symptoms become more severe, you should definitely schedule an appointment immediately.
Less severe causes of recurring stomach pain include:
● Food allergies
● Stomach flu
● Food poisoning
● Trapped gas
● Conspitation
● Menstrual cramps
These can typically be managed with at-home care, which can include over-the-counter medications as well as natural remedies that you should be doing anyway.
Which At-Home Treatments Work On Stomach Pains?
Once you’ve ruled out that your symptoms are not related to a serious condition, there are some remedies you can use at home to find some relief. These include:
● Gas-relieving medication: Over-the-counter antacids can provide relief. Seek out products containing simethicone, which is present in Gas-X, Maalox, and Mylanta, to alleviate gas pain, pressure, and bloating
● Drink water: water can help ease the symptoms of dehydration and help with digestion issues that could be causing your pain
● Heating pad or hot water bottle: wrap the pad or bottle in a towel and place it on your abdomen for at least thirty minutes to ease cramping and any digestive spasms
● BRAT diet: foods in this diet can help to avoid stress on your digestive system, and are useful when dealing with stomach flu, food poisoning, and diarrhea
● Exercise: walking, cycling, swimming, and various aerobic exercises can aid in digestion and alleviate constipation or trapped gas.
Abdominal pain can signal a serious condition like appendicitis or an intestinal blockage. If the pain is severe and comes with a hard, rigid abdomen, vomiting, bleeding, or chest discomfort, seek emergency medical care immediately. These symptoms may indicate a life-threatening issue that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications. Don’t wait—get help right away.
If you are pregnant, undergoing cancer treatment, or have experienced any abdominal surgery or trauma, seeking emergency care is crucial, even in the absence of additional symptoms.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience stomach pain along with fever, diarrhea, or other uncomfortable but not severe symptoms. You might be dealing with a medical condition that requires treatment. For temporary ailments like the stomach flu, consider using home remedies to alleviate the discomfort.
