Abdominal pain is a fairly common occurrence and it usually isn't serious. Although it's possible to manage it at home in most cases, there are some occasions where you'll need to see a doctor. By understanding what some of them are, you can make appropriate decisions about your health.
You Recently Encountered Trauma
If you've recently encountered significant abdominal trauma, such as a kick or impact with a blunt object, you need to take associated pain seriously. Your abdominal cavity is home to lots of important organs, including your liver and your spleen.
When trauma is a concern, consider heading to an emergency department. Or, call 111 if you're feeling dizzy or as though you're about to lose consciousness.
You Can't Pass Gas
Having a stomach ache and feeling as though you need to pass gas often go hand in hand. If you find that your stomach feels swollen and you can't pass gas to alleviate it, you may be dealing with a bowel obstruction.
Other signs of a bowel obstruction include intense pain, vomiting a yellow bile-like substance, and abdominal swelling. If your pain is particularly severe, head to an emergency department. Otherwise, call an after-hours doctor for a full assessment of your symptoms.
Blood in Your Stool
Although having blood in your stool isn't always a sign of imminent danger, it isn't a sign you should ignore either. Fresh blood could indicate a lower gastrointestinal bleed. In contrast, stools that are tar-like because blood is mixed in suggest an upper gastrointestinal bleed.
Why you're experiencing bleeding will vary according to your symptoms. As it isn't always easy to appraise the urgency of them alone, it's best to see a doctor asap. They'll check your other signs and symptoms and determine whether you need immediate medical attention.
Vomiting that Won't Stop
It isn't abnormal to experience vomiting when you have abdominal pain, but it has to come to a stop at some point. If your vomiting is continuing after 24 hours, speak with a medical professional.
Being unable to keep food and water down is particularly concerning, as you may run the risk of dehydration. If your vomiting is due to an infective cause, such as helicobacter pylori, you'll need specific forms of treatment to stop it too.
As with any medical problem, always speak with a professional when you're in doubt. At the end of the day, it's better to protect your health than it is to let it worsen.
Share7 January 2020
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes ten years ago. Since my diagnosis, I have been committed to learning how to modify my lifestyle and adopt healthy practices, such as daily exercise and eating wholefoods, that help control my diabetes and improve my quality of life. I started this blog to connect with others living with this condition and to share what I've learned on my personal journey to better health. I also update the blog with the latest research and news relating to type 2 diabetes. If you have a specific question that's not been addressed in a blog post, feel free to send me an email.
