Why Does My Stomach Hurt? Know When It’s an Emergency.

We all get a stomachache at some point in our lives. We may eat too much, or something we ate “doesn’t agree” with us. But when do you know if the pain is something more serious?

Abdominal pain is one of the most common causes of emergency room visits in the United States. Most of the time, it resolves by itself. However, stomach pain can be a sign of a more serious illness.

Being able to distinguish mild versus severe stomach pain symptoms helps determine the right course of treatment. We often think of abdominal pain as “stomach pain” or a “stomachache,” but pain in your abdomen could be coming from organs other than your stomach.

Your abdomen is home to your:

• Gallbladder
• Large intestine
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Small intestine
• Stomach

Abdominal pain, in general, can be tricky to diagnose due to varying symptoms that are:

• Burning or achy
• Constant or intermittent
• Crampy or colicky
• Dull or sharp
• Localized (in one spot) or generalized (all over)
• Mild or severe

Healthcare providers often divide the abdomen into quadrants, or four parts, to diagnose what’s triggering your symptoms. They may ask if your pain is in the:

• Right side/left side. The midline of your abdomen runs from your sternum through your belly button.
• Upper part/lower part. Upper abdominal pain is above your belly button. Lower abdominal pain is below it.

The location of the pain helps the provider determine a root cause and if any tests may need to be run to find more answers. It’s important to be as specific as possible when explaining your symptoms.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be related to digestion, injury, infection, or disease. It may come from an organ inside, from the muscles or skin in your abdominal wall, or from somewhere else nearby.

Some of the most common causes of mild stomach pain include:

• Acid reflux
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Food poisoning
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Stomach Flu/gastroenteritis
• Stress
• Vomiting

Remember that even mild cases may can turn into a serious issue and may require immediate help. In severe cases or for conditions like appendicitis, gallstones, or bowel obstructions, surgical intervention might be necessary to address the underlying issue.

At-Home Treatment Options

If you don’t know what’s causing your abdominal pain, it’s important to find out, especially if it doesn’t go away on its own. However, if you try to manage the symptoms at home before seeking medical help, these steps may offer some relief:

• Bowel rest. Stop eating, or only eat easy-to-digest foods like crackers or bananas.
• Dietary changes may alleviate symptoms. Avoid certain foods that trigger discomfort, maintain proper hydration, and incorporate more fiber-rich foods into your diet.
• Home remedies. Try licorice for gas, ginger for indigestion, or peppermint to help relax your intestinal muscles.
• Hydration. Drink plenty of water or a hydration formula.
• Over-the-counter medications like antacids, pain relievers, and anti-diarrheal drugs might relieve mild cases. Prescription medications may be necessary for specific conditions like infections, inflammation, or digestive disorders.
• Resting and applying heat (like a heating pad) to the abdominal area may help relieve muscle-related pain or discomfort.

When Should I Go to Urgent Care for Abdominal Pain?

You should consider going to urgent care for abdominal pain if:

• Abdominal pain is accompanied by symptoms like fever, persistent vomiting, blood in stools, difficulty breathing, or signs of dehydration.
• The pain is causing significant worry or distress.
• The pain is intense, persistent, or debilitating, especially if it’s sudden and doesn’t improve with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.
• You experience frequent or recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, especially if it interferes with your daily activities or quality of life.
• You have pre-existing conditions like diabetes, pregnancy, or a compromised immune system.

When in doubt or if you’re experiencing severe or concerning symptoms alongside abdominal pain, seeking urgent care evaluation ensures timely assessment and appropriate care, preventing potential complications.

When To Visit the ER

If your abdominal pain is severe and accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency room:

• Chest pain lasting more than a few minutes becomes worse with activity, comes and goes, or varies in intensity.
• Cold sweats with chest pain.
• Crushing or searing pain radiating to your jaw, back, neck, shoulders, and one or both arms.
• If your symptoms follow a recent injury or trauma to your abdomen.
• Pressure, burning, fullness or tightness in the chest.
• Shortness of breath with chest pain.
• Vomiting or nausea with chest pain.
• Weakness or dizziness with chest pain.

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