WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about acute abdominal pain? Acute abdominal pain starts suddenly, gets worse quickly, and lasts up to 3 days. What causes acute abdominal pain? The cause of your acute abdominal pain may not be known. The pain may be caused by any of the following: - An abscess or infection in your liver or other organs
- A blockage in your bowels, an ulcer, or a tear in your esophagus or spleen
- Diseases of the blood or blood vessels
- Injury, treatment, or surgery
- Swelling or stones in your kidney or gallbladder
- Diseases of the fallopian tubes or ovaries, or monthly period pain
What other signs and symptoms may I have? - Tight stomach muscles, or a tender and swollen stomach
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever, loss of appetite, or weight loss
- Blood in your bowel movement, or blood coming from your rectum
- Blood coming from your vagina that is not your monthly period
- A lump in your stomach or pelvic area
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
How is acute abdominal pain diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will ask about your signs and symptoms. He will ask when you last had abdominal pain and how it started. He will ask how bad it is and how long it lasts. Tell him about the foods you eat, and if the pain happens before, during, or after meals. Tell him if you find it hard to eat, or have recently lost weight without trying. He may ask if you are vomiting blood, or if you have dark bowel movements. Tell him if you have had gallstones or other diseases or surgeries. If you are female, tell him about changes to your monthly period, or if you know or think you might be pregnant. How is acute abdominal pain treated? - Prescription pain medicine may be given if other pain medicines do not work. Take the medicine as directed. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
- Endoscopy is a procedure used to see the inside of your digestive tract with a scope. A scope is made of a long, bendable tube with a light and camera on the end. Your healthcare provider can use endoscopy to find and treat the bleeding in your abdomen.
- Nasogastric (NG) tube: An NG tube is put into your nose, and passes down your throat until it reaches your stomach. Food and medicine may be given through an NG tube if you cannot take anything by mouth. The tube may instead be attached to suction if caregivers need to keep your stomach empty.
When should I seek immediate care? - You are sweating and have cool, clammy, pale skin.
- You feel dizzy or like you are going to faint.
- You have dark bowel movements, or you vomit blood.
- You have a hard abdomen, or you are not able to pass gas.
- You have severe pain in your abdomen that does not go away after you take medicine.
- You have a very fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fast, shallow breathing.
- You are thirsty and cold, your eyes and mouth feel dry, and you urinate little or nothing.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - You have a fever.
- You have new or worse signs and symptoms.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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