Abdominal Pain...When is it Serious?

Newswise — Have you ever experienced pain in your abdomen? Of course, all of us have experienced a “belly ache” sometime in our lives, but how can you decide when abdominal pain is serious? While most stomach pain isn’t serious, persistent or severe pain should not be ignored.

1. You should see a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
o Steady, severe pain or regularly recurring pain
o Pain lasting for hours or days
o Pain that wakes you from sleep
o Pain that impairs your ability to work or perform routine activities
o Loss of weight or appetite

2. You should seek medical attention immediately when your abdominal pain is accompanied by:
o Fever
o Diarrhea
o Persistent constipation
o Blood in the stool
o Change in the color of urine
o Persistent nausea or vomiting
o Vomiting blood
o Severe tenderness of the belly
o Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin or whites of the eyes)
o Swelling of the abdomen

3. You should see your doctor if you are taking any medicines that can cause ulcers, such as aspirin or other medications, commonly used or prescribed for arthritis or headaches.

4. Consult your physician if you have a previous history of ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease, or intestinal surgery.

5. Most patients with abdominal pain can be diagnosed and treated successfully.
See your physician or appropriate gastrointestinal specialists if you experience persistent or severe abdominal pain.

For more information on abdominal pain, visit the ACG website at http://www.acg.gi.org

About the American College of Gastroenterology

Founded in 1932, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with an international membership of more than 10,000 individuals from 80 countries. The College is committed to serving the clinically oriented digestive disease specialist through its emphasis on scholarly practice, teaching and research. The mission of the College is to serve the evolving needs of physicians in the delivery of high quality, scientifically sound, humanistic, ethical, and cost-effective health care to gastroenterology patients.