What are the warning signs that indicate you should see a doctor for abdominal pain. How can you distinguish between minor discomfort and potentially serious conditions requiring medical attention. When should you go to the emergency room for stomach pain.

Understanding Abdominal Pain: Causes and Characteristics

Abdominal pain, often referred to as a stomachache or tummy ache, is a common complaint that can originate from various regions of the abdomen. Despite its colloquial name, the pain may not necessarily be limited to the stomach area. The discomfort can stem from multiple sources, including:

• Digestive issues (e.g., gas, constipation)
• Abdominal conditions (e.g., appendicitis, hernia)
• Pelvic problems (e.g., urinary tract infections, endometriosis)
• Chest-related issues (e.g., heart attack, pulmonary embolism)

The nature of abdominal pain can vary significantly, ranging from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. It may be acute or chronic, constant or intermittent, and may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms. This variability often makes it challenging for individuals to determine the appropriate course of action.

When to Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment for Abdominal Pain

While many instances of abdominal pain resolve on their own or can be managed with home remedies, certain symptoms warrant a visit to a healthcare provider. Consider scheduling an appointment if your abdominal pain:

• Is accompanied by a fever
• Persists for more than 24-48 hours without improvement
• Worsens over time or occurs frequently
• Is associated with bloating lasting more than two days
• Occurs alongside diarrhea for more than five days
• Is accompanied by burning or pain during urination
• Coincides with unexplained weight loss
• Presents as a dull ache lasting over one week

These symptoms may indicate underlying conditions that require medical evaluation and treatment. Seeking timely medical attention can help prevent potential complications and ensure appropriate management of the underlying cause.

Recognizing Emergency Situations: When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

In some cases, abdominal pain can be a sign of a severe or life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Seek emergency medical attention if your abdominal pain is:

• Sudden and severe
• Accompanied by persistent vomiting and nausea
• Associated with constipation and vomiting
• Accompanied by vomiting blood or bleeding from the bowels
• Causing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Accompanied by severe tenderness when touching the abdomen
• Associated with yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Causing abdominal swelling
• Persistent for several days without improvement

Additionally, if you are pregnant or suspect you might be, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical care for any severe abdominal pain. Pregnancy-related complications can be serious and require prompt evaluation.

Effectively Communicating Your Symptoms to Healthcare Providers

When seeking medical attention for abdominal pain, providing a detailed description of your symptoms can greatly assist healthcare providers in making an accurate diagnosis. The National Institutes of Health recommends sharing the following information:

• Duration of the pain
• Location (left side, right side, upper, lower, or middle abdomen)
• Whether the pain is localized or radiates to other areas
• Characteristics and severity of the pain
• Whether the pain is constant or intermittent
• Factors that worsen or alleviate the pain
• Frequency and duration of pain episodes
• Impact on daily activities and quality of life
• Potential triggers or associated factors

Maintaining a pain journal can be helpful in tracking these details and ensuring accurate reporting to your healthcare provider.

Describing Abdominal Pain: A Guide to Common Terminology

To help healthcare providers better understand your abdominal pain, it’s useful to familiarize yourself with common descriptors. Here are some terms often used to characterize different types of pain:

• Aching: A dull, continuous discomfort
• Burning: A sensation of heat or scalding
• Cramping: Intermittent tightening or squeezing
• Gnawing: A persistent, nagging sensation
• Radiating: Pain that spreads from one area to another
• Sharp: Intense, localized pain
• Shooting: Pain that travels along a path
• Stabbing: Sudden, severe pain as if being pierced
• Throbbing: Pulsating or beating sensation

Using these descriptors can help paint a clearer picture of your pain experience for medical professionals.

Navigating the Decision: When to Go to the ER for Stomach Pain

Deciding whether to go to the emergency room (ER) for stomach pain can be challenging. While not all abdominal pain requires emergency care, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention. Here are some definitive reasons to visit the ER for stomach pain:

1. Post-surgical complications: If you’ve recently undergone abdominal surgery and experience moderate to severe stomach pain, seek emergency care immediately.
2. Trauma-related pain: Abdominal pain following a recent injury or accident should be evaluated promptly in the ER.
3. Severe, sudden onset pain: Intense pain that comes on suddenly, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, may indicate a serious condition requiring immediate attention.
4. Pain with concerning symptoms: If your stomach pain is accompanied by symptoms like high fever, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration, go to the ER.
5. Pregnancy-related pain: Pregnant women experiencing severe abdominal pain should seek emergency care to rule out complications.
6. Chronic condition flare-ups: Individuals with known digestive disorders experiencing unusually severe symptoms should consider ER evaluation.

Remember, when in doubt about the severity of your abdominal pain, it’s better to err on the side of caution and seek medical evaluation.

Understanding the Diagnostic Process for Abdominal Pain

When you seek medical attention for abdominal pain, healthcare providers will typically follow a systematic approach to diagnose the underlying cause. This process may include:

Medical History Assessment

Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to your abdominal pain.

Physical Examination

A thorough physical exam will be conducted, focusing on your abdomen and surrounding areas. The doctor may gently press on different parts of your abdomen to check for tenderness, swelling, or masses.

Diagnostic Tests

Depending on your symptoms and initial findings, various diagnostic tests may be ordered, such as:

• Blood tests to check for infections, inflammation, or organ function abnormalities
• Urine tests to rule out urinary tract infections or kidney problems
• Imaging studies like X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans to visualize internal structures
• Endoscopic procedures to examine the digestive tract directly

The combination of these diagnostic tools helps healthcare providers identify the root cause of your abdominal pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Preventive Measures and Self-Care for Abdominal Health

While not all cases of abdominal pain can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to promote overall abdominal health and reduce the risk of certain types of stomach discomfort:

• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fiber and low in processed foods
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Practice stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation or yoga
• Exercise regularly to promote healthy digestion and overall well-being
• Avoid known trigger foods that may cause digestive discomfort
• Practice good hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses
• Manage chronic health conditions effectively, following your healthcare provider’s recommendations
• Get regular check-ups and screenings as recommended by your doctor

By adopting these healthy habits, you can support your digestive system and potentially reduce the frequency and severity of abdominal pain episodes.

Understanding when to seek medical attention for abdominal pain is crucial for maintaining your health and well-being. While many cases of stomach discomfort are benign and self-limiting, certain symptoms and situations require prompt medical evaluation. By familiarizing yourself with the warning signs and learning to effectively communicate your symptoms, you can make informed decisions about when to consult a healthcare provider or seek emergency care. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional medical advice. Your health is paramount, and timely intervention can make a significant difference in managing abdominal pain and its underlying causes.

Stomach Pain: When Should You See a Doctor?

Whether you call it a tummy ache, stomachache, or abdominal pain, everybody will experience discomfort in their belly region at some point. Despite the name stomachache, the pain can come from anywhere in your upper or lower abdomen.

Stomach pain could be caused by:

• Digestive issues – like gas or constipation
• Abdominal issues – like appendicitis or hernia
• Pelvic problems – like urinary tract infection or endometriosis
• Chest issues – like a heart attack or blood clots in the lungs

It can range from mild to severe, can come and go, can be long-term, and may or may not appear with other symptoms.

Because stomach pain can vary so much, it may not always be clear how to treat it. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications are popular for heartburn or indigestion, but how do you know if your pain is something more serious? How do you know when to call a doctor?

When To Call a Doctor

Most of the time, the cause of your stomach pain isn’t serious, and it will improve on its own. Or you may recognize the reason and treat it at home, like the pain of an upset stomach or heartburn.

But some types of pain point to the possibility of a more serious condition that requires medical treatment.

If you’re experiencing symptoms like the following with your pain, you should visit a healthcare provider.

Schedule an appointment with a physician if your stomach pain:

• Occurs with a fever
• Is significant and doesn’t improve in 24-28 hours
• Worsens and occurs frequently
• Occurs with bloating that lasts longer than two days
• Occurs with diarrhea for more than five days
• Happens with burning or pain while urinating
• Occurs when you also have unexplained weight loss
• Feels dull and lasts over one week

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Severe abdominal pain may be an emergency. If your pain is sudden and severe, or if it occurs with any of the following, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Persistent vomiting and nausea
• Constipation (especially with vomiting)
• Vomiting blood
• Bleeding from the bowels
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Severe tenderness when touching your abdomen
• Yellowish skin and eyes
• Abdominal swelling
• Lasts for several days
• If you are pregnant or think you might be

How To Describe Your Pain

Sometimes it can be challenging to describe the location and characteristics of the pain. However, describing your pain in detail can help your doctor narrow down possible causes. Although pain is subjective, there are common ways to describe different types of pain.

The National Institutes of Health recommends telling the following information to your healthcare provider. Consider keeping a pain journal, so you remember:

• How long your pain has lasted
• Its location – left side, right side, upper, lower, or middle
• If it stays in one place or radiates out
• How it feels and how severe
• If it’s constant or comes and goes
• What makes it worse or better
• How often it happens and for how long
• How it limits or affects your life
• Anything that seems to trigger it

Some common ways to describe how it feels are:

• Aching
• Burning
• Cramping
• Dull
• Gnawing
• Heavy
• Hot or burning
• Radiating
• Sharp
• Shooting
• Splitting
• Stabbing
• Tender
• Throbbing
• Tiring or exhausting

Most everyone has experienced abdominal pain at some point and wondered if they should see a doctor or wait it out. In general, pain that is severe, doesn’t go away, or happens with other symptoms is pain you should get checked out. If you’re not sure, be cautious and call your doctor for advice.

Don’t just hope your stomach pain goes away on its own – schedule an appointment today!

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Related:

• 9 Symptoms that Indicate Poor Digestive Health
• 9 Common Digestive Conditions You Might be Experiencing
• What is a Gastroenterologist?

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When to Go to the ER for Stomach Pain

When you’re really not feeling well, it’s natural to wonder when to go to the ER for stomach pain. Since stomach pain is so common, however, many people struggle to make this call. 

So, how do you know when stomach pain is serious enough for a trip to the ER? 

Complete Care to help answer this question. No more second-guessing when to go to the ER for stomach pain. Learn exactly which scenarios might necessitate a trip to the emergency room and which you can likely handle at home.  

6 definitive reasons you should go to the ER for stomach pain 

Before we get into cases that require some interrogation of whether or not you should go to the ER, it’s important to cover those cases of stomach pain that, without question, require emergency medical assessment and treatment. If you meet any of the following conditions and you’re experiencing severe stomach pain, seek medical attention immediately. 

1. You have undergone certain procedures 

After certain types of surgical procedures, moderate to severe stomach pain could indicate a serious complication. These procedures include:

• Abdominal surgery (if you experience pain within a week of the surgery) 
• Bowel resection (any time post-surgery, including years after the procedure) 
• Colostomy (any time post-surgery, including years after the procedure) 
• Gastric bypass (any time post-surgery, including years after the procedure) 
• Gastrointestinal procedures (if you experience pain within a week of the surgery) 

If you are experiencing stomach pain after one of these procedures, do not hesitate. Head to the emergency room as soon as possible.

2. You are pregnant

Experiencing stomach pain during pregnancy is scary. If you are pregnant and experiencing stomach pain, it’s important to keep in mind that some types of pain are normal, and may be caused by the growth of your uterus, Braxton Hicks contractions, or even constipation and gas. Severe pain during pregnancy, however, may be a sign of complications, including:

• Ectopic pregnancies: Pregnancy occurring in the fallopian tube. The stomach pain is often accompanied by excessive bleeding. Complications begin between 6-10 weeks of pregnancy.
• Placental abruption: Early separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. The stomach pain is often accompanied by excessive bleeding, severe back pain, tenderness, and contractions. Typically occurs in the 3rd trimester.
• Preeclampsia: A condition that causes high blood pressure and excess protein in your urine. The stomach pain is often accompanied by sudden weight gain, excessive swelling, and severe headaches. Occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Preterm labor: Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Stomach pain is often accompanied by regular contractions. Immediate action can drastically improve outcomes for your baby. 

If you are pregnant or could be pregnant and you’re experiencing moderate to severe stomach pain, call your ob-gyn or go to the emergency room ASAP. 

3. Your abdomen is suddenly expanding/swelling, is bruised in appearance, or feels hard

Sometimes changes in the look and feel of your stomach are enough to tell you when to go to the ER for stomach pain. These symptoms go beyond the more common discomfort of swelling and bloating due to gas, and include: 

• Swelling / expanding: Sudden expansion or swelling of your belly couple with severe stomach pain may indicate acute pancreatitis, a blocked intestine, bowel perforation, or other serious complications.
• Bruising: If you are experiencing severe stomach pain and notice sudden bruising of the belly (not related to trauma), seek immediate medical treatment. There are two main types of bruising that occur during pancreatitis and a hemorrhagic ectopic pregnancy: Grey Turner’s sign (on the flanks) and Cullen’s sign (around the belly button).
• Hard stomach: In patients over 40, a hard stomach in addition to stomach pain and other symptoms can indicate diverticulitis (inflammation/infection of the digestive tract), among other conditions.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to severe stomach pain, they may be a sign of a life-threatening condition. In these cases, it’s much better to be safe than sorry and take a trip to the ER.

4. You have experienced severe abdominal trauma 

You see this phrase — abdominal trauma — thrown around a lot when discussing when to go to the ER for stomach pain, but rarely is it explained. Abdominal trauma typically occurs as a result of an accident, such as a car crash or a sports injury. It can involve a severe compression or displacement of the internal organs, such as when a seatbelt strains against your stomach in a car accident. 

This type of abdominal trauma can also be caused by physical abuse. Finally, abdominal trauma can also be the result of penetrating wounds to the stomach, including knife and gun wounds. 

If you have recently been the victim of abdominal trauma and are experiencing stomach pains, now is not likely the best time to question when to go to the ER for abdominal pain. Seek treatment immediately. 

5. You can’t stand up

This indicator may seem a little arbitrary, but it’s honestly one of the simplest ways to tell when to go to the ER for stomach pain. The operative word here is can’t.All of us are familiar with the more typical, run-of-the-mill stomach pain caused by eating spicy food or indulging in too much candy. These stomach aches aren’t fun, and they may make you uncomfortable enough that you do not want to stand up. But if the pain is so bad that you physically can’t stand upright, that’s different; it is time to go to the emergency room. 

Of course, if you find yourself in severe pain but are able to force yourself to stand up, that doesn’t mean you should skip seeking treatment. Have you experienced severe pain for 24-48 hours, despite being able to stand up? Is the pain so bad that you cannot focus on work or other activities, even if you can stand up? If yes, then you should still go to the ER. 

6. Your stomach pain is accompanied by other severe symptoms 

When severe stomach pain isn’t your only symptom, that increases the likelihood that you are suffering from a serious medical condition. Symptoms to be concerned about include but are not limited to:

• Bloody diarrhea 
• Bloody or burning urine 
• Bowel movements accompanied by vomiting 
• Chest pain or pressure (especially if you are over 45, as this may be a sign of an impending heart attack)
• Coughing up or vomiting blood 
• Diarrhea lasting more than 5 days 
• Difficulty Breathing 
• Dizziness 
• Excessive vaginal bleeding 
• Fever above 100 degrees 
• Fainting 
• Inability to pass a stool (severe constipation)
• Neck pain
• Pains in the shoulders or between shoulder blades
• Persistent vomiting and/or inability to keep food down for 2 days
• Vision changes 

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to severe stomach pain, this is cause enough to go to the ER. If you are experiencing chest pain, please make sure you know when to go to the ER for chest pain. 

Causes of severe stomach pain that sends you to the ER

Now that you know when to go to the ER for stomach pain, you may be wondering what illnesses and conditions might be sending you there. Stomach pain can be caused by a seemingly infinite number of diseases, disorders, and injuries. However, not all of these causes will send you to the ER. What follows are the top stomach pain causes that will likely merit an ER visit. 

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Also, note that the stomach flu and food poisoning can both present stomach pain and some of the additional symptoms listed above. In some cases, both of these ailments can warrant a trip to the ER, but not always. If you are concerned,  read up on stomach flu vs. food poisoning symptoms to understand more about when these issues can turn serious.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by a blockage of the appendix, typically by feces. Pain typically begins near the belly button then moves to the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of emergency surgery; treatment typically involves the removal of the appendix. 

For more information, read our article: What Does Appendicitis Feel Like?

Bleeding or ruptured blood vessels

Internal bleeding can be caused by an array of conditions and injuries, from colitis to ectopic pregnancy and from bleeding disorders to trauma. The cause of the bleeding will need to be determined before appropriate treatment can be applied. 

Blocked intestines and diverticulitis 

Your intestines play an important role in moving food and liquid through your body. They can be blocked by impacted feces, hernias, inflammation (Crohn’s disease), colon cancer, the growth of fibrous tissues, and diverticulitis (inflamed, infected pouches in your intestines). Typically, blockages such as these require immediate attention. If you suspect your pain is caused by blocked intestines, this is definitely an instance of when to go to the ER for stomach pain.   

For more information, read our article: When to Go to the ER for Diverticulitis 

Gallbladder issues

Gallstones are small, hardened deposits, typically made of cholesterol. While they typically do not cause symptoms, they can lead to intense pain in your stomach if they get trapped in the opening of the gallbladder. If the duct of your gallbladder is frequently obstructed (by gallstones or another source), this can lead to a painful inflammation of the gallbladder called cholecystitis. Treatment depends on the severity of the issue; your gallbladder can be removed if necessary. 

Kidney stones 

Kidney stones form in your urine. There are many types of stones that vary depending on what creates them, although most kidney stones are calcium stones. If a kidney stone passes into the ureters (the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder) it can create severe stomach pain, discolored urine that burns, and a persistent need to urinate.  

For more information, read our article: When to go to the ER for Kidney Stones

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, typically caused by gallstones and heavy alcohol use. While both acute and chronic pancreatitis can occur, the former is more likely to send you to the ER. Acute pancreatitis typically results in severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment typically includes IV fluids and pain medications and removal of gallstones, if necessary. In very extreme cases, the pancreas is removed. 

Ulcers

Peptic ulcers occur as a result of an infection by H. pylori bacteria, the overuse of certain medications, and lifestyle factors, including stress. The perforation of an ulcer may cause internal bleeding, blood in your stool, vomiting with a coffee-ground-type consistency, and can be life-threatening without surgical treatment

For more information on stress reduction, read our article: The Signs and Symptoms of Stress

How do I get admitted to the ER for stomach pain? 

When you arrive at the ER, your doctor will review your health history and give you pain medication to relieve your discomfort. They’ll also conduct a variety of tests to determine the root cause and rule out other possibilities.

Common tests you may receive when you go to the ER for stomach pain include:

• Physical examination
• Blood test
• Liver function test
• CT scan
• Ultrasound

During the physical examination, the location of your severe stomach pain can provide insight into what may be causing issues. For example, pain 2 inches left of the belly button can be a sign of a few different ailments, including appendicitis and constipation. However, blood tests and tests of organ functions are much more reliable at diagnosing conditions than the placement of pain.

Once your doctor has diagnosed the source of your pain, they can provide treatment options to get you on the road to recovery. Your treatment plan will depend on the cause of your severe stomach pain, and will likely include a prescription for pain medication to help relieve your symptoms.  

You should always talk to your doctor about your options before beginning any treatment plans.

What to do if you decide your stomach pain is not serious

If none of the above information seems to match up with your current situation, then it could be possible that this is not one of those times when you should go to the ER for your abdominal pain. If the pain is bearable and you have no secondary symptoms, then your body could just need a little time to work through things. 

Here’s some simple guidance on what could help alleviate this pain from home:

• Take an antacid 
• Use a heating pad
• Avoid spicy food, caffeine, and fried foods 
• Avoid overeating (learn more about methods of portion control)
• Use the restroom (but don’t force it)
• Drink plenty of water
• Take a warm bath

Diet changes and regular light exercise can alleviate regular stomach aches. However, If your stomach pain is recurrent, consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor to rule out issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other chronic stomach ailments. 

Experiencing severe stomach pain? Complete Care can help.  

At Complete Care, we understand that self-diagnosing yourself is tricky, and knowing when to go to the ER for stomach pain can be complicated. We hope that this guide has provided you with some answers. 

If you are experiencing stomach pain, Complete Care is open 24/7 and welcomes walk-ins that can typically be seen within a few minutes, not hours. Our stand-alone emergency room facilities are able to offer our patients the same level of care as an emergency room attached to a hospital but without the wait time. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing severe stomach pain, visit your nearest Complete Care location for professional, award-winning, patient-centered care.

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Abdominal pain – which doctor should I contact? Causes, diagnosis and treatment

Abdominal pain is a common symptom of various diseases and is of great importance for diagnosis. Discomfort and discomfort in this area of ​​the body do not always indicate a dangerous disease, however, in some cases, pain can indicate the development of a serious pathology that requires medical, including urgent surgical intervention. To identify the source of the problem, the doctor needs to find out the history of the development of the disease, conduct an objective examination and draw up a plan for laboratory and instrumental studies to accurately verify the diagnosis.

Localization

The doctor’s qualitative assessment of the nature and location of the pain determines how correctly the diagnosis will be made and the treatment tactics chosen. Pain sensations occur in different parts of the abdominal cavity:

1. Epigastric region. The main causes of pain in this area are the pathology of the stomach, biliary tract, pancreas, high small bowel obstruction. However, not always epigastric pain can be a sign of only diseases of the digestive system, it can be a symptom of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, pleurisy, lower lobe pneumonia, subdiaphragmatic abscess and a number of other diseases
2. Right hypochondrium. Pain is possible due to diseases of the organs of the hepatobiliary system, pancreas, duodenum.
3. Left hypochondrium. Unpleasant sensations appear in diseases of the stomach, spleen, pancreas. The source of pain in the abdomen under the lower left costal arch can also be a pathology of the heart or diaphragm.
4. The area around the navel. Pain sensations appear with an umbilical hernia, dissection of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta, small bowel obstruction or intestinal gangrene, appendicitis (the moment of onset of pain), gastroenteritis.
5. Zones to the left or right of the umbilical region. Pain in this localization is noted in diseases of the large intestine and kidneys.
6. Suprapubic region and lower abdomen. The most typical causes of pain: colonic obstruction or gangrene of the colon, diverticulitis (usually left iliac region), appendicitis (right iliac region), inguinal hernia, cystitis, pyelonephritis, renal colic, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, pain during ovulation and other gynecological pathology .

Analysis of the onset of pain.

The onset of pain can be sudden (within seconds or minutes), gradual (over hours or days), slowly developing (over days or weeks). Acute abdominal pain can be caused either by the onset of a new disease, such as appendicitis, or by the sudden exacerbation of a chronic disease, such as the development of gangrenous cholecystitis in a patient with gallstone disease. Often, prior symptoms occur before the onset of abdominal pain, for example, dyspeptic disorders before perforation of a gastric or duodenal ulcer, or syncope associated with a ruptured aortic aneurysm. In some cases, acute pain can occur completely isolated, as if against the background of complete health.

Pain progression.

When interviewing a patient with abdominal pain, the doctor is always interested in the following questions: does the pain subside or increase? Are there periods of time when the pain goes away completely? Does the nature of the pain change over time? There are situations when one cannot mistakenly assume that a decrease in the intensity of pain is always associated with a regression of the underlying disease. So in acute appendicitis, abdominal pain can temporarily decrease with perforation of the appendix, as the pressure in its lumen decreases.

Migration of pain.

Under the migration of pain in the abdomen is meant the patient’s subjective perception of the movement of the source of pain in different parts of the abdomen in the course of the development of the disease. This symptom is most common in patients with acute appendicitis: pain begins in the middle abdomen and after some time shifts to the right iliac region. In sigmoid diverticulitis, pain usually begins at the umbilicus and then moves to the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Migration of pain can be confused with irradiation, which is also characteristic of some diseases of the abdominal organs. The difference between these two concepts is that during migration, pain occurs in one place, then gradually disappears and manifests itself with renewed vigor in another place. With irradiation, the pains that have arisen in any place remain moderate in intensity, and at the same time, the pains that have arisen for the second time in another place are usually less intense. A classic example is the irradiation of pain to the left shoulder when the diaphragm is stimulated.

The nature of the pain.

The nature of the pain is an important aspect in the correct diagnosis. To accurately describe the nature of pain, a large number of adjectives are used: sharp, burning, cramping, dull, stabbing, pulling … In a simplified version, pain can be characterized as, firstly, constant or intermittent (colicky) and, secondly, as superficial or deep .

Influence of food intake and drugs.

Often help in making a diagnosis is provided by information about the relationship between the occurrence of abdominal pain and food intake. For example, with pancreatitis or cholecystitis, after eating, the pain either begins or intensifies, and with duodenal ulcer, after eating, the pain either weakens or disappears completely for a certain period of time.

Often, patients with abdominal pain try to take their own medicines, sometimes alleviating their condition, and sometimes aggravating it. So drugs of the antacid group will stop pain in acid-dependent diseases (for example, gastritis, peptic ulcer) and will not be effective in cholecystitis. And taking painkillers of the NSAID group can aggravate the situation with erosive and ulcerative lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract and lead to the development of gastrointestinal bleeding.

What symptoms should I see a doctor for?

• The attack occurred for the first time.
• Unpleasant painful sensations last more than 2 days, radiate to the shoulder blade, shoulder, neck.
• Abdominal pain appeared on the background of urination disorders (burning during urine output, increased urge).
• Stool disorder lasts from 3 days.
• Increased body temperature.

When is emergency care needed?

Symptoms that call for an emergency doctor:

• the attack started suddenly and lasts more than 2-3 hours;
• intense soreness accompanied by worsening of the patient’s condition;
• acute pain appeared after a blunt abdominal trauma;
• pain syndrome is accompanied by other pathological symptoms: nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine (feces, vomit), hyperthermia of the body, discomfort behind the sternum, increased heart rate, cold sticky sweat, pathological tension of the abdominal wall.

Any sudden onset abdominal pain that persists for more than 2 hours is a warning sign of an acute condition that often requires emergency surgery.

Which doctors should I contact?

If abdominal pain occurs, an adult should consult a general practitioner. For abdominal pain in a child – to the pediatrician. During the initial consultation, the doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. If necessary, the patient will be referred for a consultation with another specialist: gastroenterologist (or pediatric gastroenterologist), gynecologist, urologist, surgeon, coloproctologist.

Article checked by a specialist:

Sviridova Tatyana Nikolaevna

Leading gastroenterologist

of the highest qualification category,

Candidate of Medical Sciences

Abdominal pain. What to do and where to seek medical help

Chief gastroenterologist of the Krasnodar Territory Natalya Korochanskaya tells what symptoms you need to see a doctor urgently

Do not get treated for advertising

– If something has changed in your state of health: there are pains or discomfort in the abdomen, heartburn, belching, a decrease or a sharp increase in body weight, be sure to consult a doctor. If you take the drugs advised by the advertisement, you run the risk of earning even more problems. For example, it has become fashionable to take various enzymes to improve digestion. It is convenient – eat any food, and the pill helps its absorption.

The most dangerous thing in self-treatment is the loss of precious time that would be worth spending on a diagnosis by a doctor. Only a specialist can analyze all the symptoms, research results, make a diagnosis. In addition, today the Ministry of Health of the Krasnodar Territory pays great attention to the prevention of diseases of the digestive system.

Where can you get tested

– Local therapist

– Prophylaxis room at the polyclinic

– School of Proper Nutrition

– Health Days

– Regional clinics

The examination can also be taken during the medical examination.

Twice a month, within the framework of the “School of Proper Nutrition” project, open lectures are held by the chief nutritionist of the region, Leyla Kadyrova, specialists conduct appointments in prevention rooms that are open in all clinics, regional doctors regularly travel to residents of remote areas where Health Days are held – contact the specialist is free. But still, it is necessary to start the examination in the clinic.

Determine the course of treatment, if necessary, prescribe the correct dosage of the drug should be your local therapist.

The insidiousness of fast food

I am often asked questions of this kind: are there any acceptable norms for the consumption of fast food, alcohol, and how much can you eat and drink so as not to damage your health? There are no such rules! Don’t try to trick your stomach.

Alcohol in any dose can be harmful to health. As for fast food… A healthy person can occasionally indulge, but for those who have problems in the digestive system, albeit minor, such food is definitely contraindicated. But such dinners are especially dangerous for children and teenagers – they should develop the habit of proper nutrition and limit trips to fast food restaurants.

The insidiousness of fast food is that it contains certain substances that can regulate our appetite.

Surely you notice that soon after visiting fast food restaurants, hunger is felt. The body has not received a sufficient set of nutrients and continues to ask for them. But your digestive system is already busy digesting junk food. Relatively speaking, you eat a handful of salt, sugar and nutritional supplements, while depriving yourself of the substances necessary for the body. Therefore, you continue to eat, and for this, believe me, your stomach does not thank you, but rather the opposite.

That is, all these harmful things in the composition of malnutrition prevent us from showing willpower and putting the “night” sandwich back into the refrigerator.

So sad that you want to eat

Such additives activate our appetite, and as a result, we observe the problem of obesity – a disease that requires constant control of body weight. And it is desirable to do this under the guidance of a team of doctors: a nutritionist, a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist and a psychologist.

It must be understood that obesity is not just a lack of desire to lose weight, it is already a disease that must be eliminated in order to prevent the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and a number of oncological pathologies.

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To protect yourself from such problems, you must follow simple rules of diet. Nutrition should be varied, balanced in essential nutrients. We must consume a lot of fiber (vegetables, fruits), a sufficient amount of meat – about 170 grams per day for an adult. The recommended norm of fish is at least 300 grams per week. Important: Try to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. The main thing – do not sit down to dinner in a bad mood.

The stress-eating habit is a serious problem. Our eating behavior is clearly related to stress. According to one hypothesis, the basis of such a relationship is laid in early childhood, when parents punish the child for something with food or, conversely, encourage him. You shouldn’t do this.

We clearly see in the clinic that stress has a significant effect on the digestive organs. In particular, in patients with functional bowel disease (for example, irritable bowel syndrome), stress provokes exacerbations of the disease in 70 to 80 percent of cases. In a number of stressful situations, our patients begin not only to eat a lot, but also to drink alcohol, which inevitably leads to an exacerbation of pancreatic diseases, the development of toxic liver diseases.

There are also reverse examples. In recent years, many young women, in response to stressful situations, have sharply limited food intake, they develop the so-called anorexia nervosa.

That is, any violation of the diet against the background of stress is dangerous. You can, literally without noticing, eat too much or forget about lunch, and this is reflected not only in the figure, but also in health. Our digestive system is designed so that everyone has the necessary, relatively speaking, portion.