Abdominal Pain (discomfort or pain in the abdominal area that may be located in one area or all over)
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Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Sudden, severe pain that is persistent and may or may not move to other parts of the body, unable to pass gas
- Severe pain with cool sweaty skin, change in color or mental status or loss of consciousness
- Vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
- Bloody or black tarry stools
- Sudden lower abdominal pain with pregnancy
- Abdomen is tense and hard
- Recent abdominal surgery or abdominal pain after injury
- Pain in right lower quadrant that worsens
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening. |
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| The cause of abdominal pain is difficult to diagnose so it is very important to pay attention to the pain location, type (stabbing, cramping, achy) and severity (rate the pain on a 1-10 scale)
Abdominal pain may be caused by disease (gallstones, pancreatitis) bacteria (gastroenteritis, ulcers) or life style factors (alcohol, overeating, and use of aspirin or anti-inflammatory medication)
The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen |
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Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Bulge at belly button or groin area with or without fever
- Lower abdominal pain with frequent urgency and burning when urinating
- Abdominal cramping/pain with one or more of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, gas, weakness or poor fluid intake
- Abdominal pain and other symptoms in individuals with chronic disease (HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, renal or thyroid disease)
- Pain in upper right side of abdomen, dark colored urine, light colored feces and if the whites of the eyes or the skin is yellow
- Pain in upper abdomen that is unrelieved by antacids or gas relievers
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No |
Contact Your Health Care Provider. |
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Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
- Do not eat or drink until after consultation with your Health Care Provider
- Decrease activity-rest in a comfortable position
- Do not take pain medication or laxatives until your Health Care Provider evaluates the pain
- Avoid solid foods; take clear liquids for 24-48 hours
- Increase to solid foods slowly
- Eat bland foods first (bananas, applesauce, baked potato, chicken)
- Avoid smoking, taking aspirin or anti-inflammatories, drinking alcohol or caffeine, and eating chocolate and tomato products
- Heat (heating pad etc.) may help menstrual cramps and gas
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