When to Seek Medical Attention for Abdominal Pain?

by Author Health

Sometimes you might feel pain in your stomach area. This can be called a tummy ache, stomach ache, or abdominal pain. Everyone feels this kind of pain at some point in their life. Now this pain can be a little bit or a lot sometimes. It might come and go, last a long time, or it might happen with other problems.

It’s not always easy to know how to make stomach pain go away. You might try things at home or buy medicine from the store for problems like heartburn or indigestion. But how do you know if your abdominal pain Brooklyn is more serious? How do you know when you should call a doctor?

When to Seek Medical Attention for Stomach Pain?

In most cases, stomach pain is not a cause for major concern and tends to resolve on its own. It’s possible to identify the cause and manage it at home, such as discomfort from indigestion or an upset stomach. 

However, certain types of stomach pain may indicate a more serious underlying condition that necessitates medical intervention. If your stomach pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

  • Develops alongside a fever
  • It is considerable in intensity and shows no improvement within 24 to 48 hours
  • Worsens and becomes recurrent
  • It is linked with persistent bloating lasting beyond two days
  • Coincides with diarrhoea lasting more than five days
  • It is accompanied by a burning sensation or pain during urination
  • Coincides with unexplained weight loss
  • Persists as a dull ache for over one week

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention?

Intense abdominal pain can indicate a medical emergency. If your pain emerges suddenly and intensely, or if it is accompanied by any of the subsequent symptoms, it’s crucial to promptly seek immediate medical assistance:

  • Persistent episodes of vomiting and nausea
  • Constipation, particularly when paired with vomiting
  • Vomiting blood
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
  • Profound sensitivity and pain when touching your abdomen
  • Jaundice, indicated by yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Noticeable abdominal swelling
  • Persists intensely for an extended duration
  • If you are pregnant or suspect you might be

How To Describe Your Pain?

Describing the location and attributes of pain can sometimes pose a challenge. Nonetheless, providing a detailed account of your pain can aid your physician in narrowing down potential causes. Although pain is subjective, there are conventional ways to articulate different pain types.

  • Aching
  • Burning
  • Cramping
  • Dull
  • Gnawing
  • Heavy
  • Intensely hot or burning
  • Radiating
  • Sharp
  • Shooting
  • Splitting
  • Stabbing
  • Tender
  • Throbbing
  • Fatiguing or exhausting

Conclusion

At some point, everyone has encountered abdominal pain and contemplated whether to consult a doctor or wait. In general, if the pain is intense, persistent, or coincides with other symptoms, it’s advisable to seek medical attention.