Contributed by Cache Valley Hospital
Whether you call it a stomach or tummy ache, or the more medical “abdominal pain,” we’ve all experienced stomach pain. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons people go to the Emergency Room (ER). It also has one of the most complex lists of potential causes — from the benign (a pulled stomach muscle) to life-threatening (appendicitis). Talk to an emergency doctor and you’ll find someone who’s accustomed to evaluating it on a regular basis.
So, you know what abdominal pain feels like. But how do you know when to ride it out at home or make a trip to the hospital? To help you answer that question, and to make things a little easier, here’s a cheat sheet you can share with your friends and family. If you answer yes to any of these questions, consider heading to the ER:
- Severity: Is the pain so severe when it’s present that you can’t focus on or do other things?
- Vomiting: Are you also vomiting? Vomiting alone doesn’t mean you need to go to the emergency room, but are you vomiting so much that you’re unable to keep down fluids? Are you vomiting blood?
- Output: Are you having changes in your stool such as blood or dark black (also potentially a sign of bleeding)? Is there blood in your urine?
- Other symptoms: Are you having difficulty breathing? Chest pain? Does the abdominal pain spread directly to your back?
- Other history: Have you recently had abdominal surgery? Are you pregnant (or have you recently given birth)? Has there been other trauma to your stomach/abdominal area? Are you on chemotherapy or do you have any other condition that could compromise your immune system?
Sometimes it can be tough to know when to seek care — and many people try to “tough it out.” The very best gauge is your own gut (literally). If what you’re experiencing is severe, different from anything you’ve felt before or just worrisome to you, don’t second guess it. Let an emergency room doctor evaluate it. That’s why they are there.
