How Do I Know If My Abdominal Pain Is Serious?

Stomachaches aren’t uncommon. Most everyone has experienced mild abdominal pain on occasion for various reasons. But how do you know if your issue is a serious concern?

Dr. Ewelukwa is our expert board-certified physician in internal medicine and gastroenterology at Imperial Digestive Health Specialists, PLLC. If you suffer from any kind of abdominal pain, he and our team can determine the root cause of your issue, evaluate its severity, and provide effective treatment. 

But first, you need to know how to recognize warning signs that may indicate you have an issue that needs medical attention.

Warning signs

Initial stomach pain can start out mild, but if it begins to worsen after an hour or so, you should be aware that a more serious issue might be present. Symptoms in addition to abdominal pain might include:

• Dizziness
• Bloody diarrhea
• Tenderness in your abdomen
• Hardness in your abdomen
• Inability to breathe well
• Fainting
• Continuous vomiting
• Blood in your vomit
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Pain between your shoulder blades
• Neck or shoulder pain
• Changes in your vision

If you experience any of these symptoms associated with stomach pain, you could have a life-threatening condition, such as bowel obstruction, bowel perforation, or appendicitis. Call 911 or have someone drive you to the emergency room at the nearest hospital immediately. 

Other signs

The list of warning signs above calls for immediate medical attention. However, you might have other symptoms that go along with stomach pain that can wait, but still should be watched, such as:

• Blood in your urine
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Fever above 100 degrees
• Urgent need to urinate
• Burning sensation when you urinate

If any of these signs persist for more than a day or two, call our office. We have the expertise to evaluate your issue. To find the root cause, we may need imaging tests, or blood and stool tests. To learn more, we may also need to perform a colonoscopy or an endoscopy.

Once we have an accurate diagnosis, we can then provide customized treatment for your condition.

Treatments for abdominal pain

If your abdominal pain isn’t severe, it might go away on its own with a few steps you can take. 

At-home remedies include only drinking clear liquids for several hours, taking an over-the-counter antacid to relieve gas, or placing a heating pad on your abdomen for about a half an hour at a time.

You should also avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as those that are fried, spicy, or fatty. Stay away from drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine, as well.

If you’re constipated, eat raw fruit, beans, vegetables, and other high-fiber foods. Symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting call for the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet.

Your pain may dissipate within a day or two after practicing these few methods of treatment at home. However, persistent pain is cause for alarm. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ewelukwa right away for a medical evaluation and treatment tailored to meet your specific needs.

If you suffer from abdominal pain accompanied by other symptoms that aren’t an emergency, call our friendly office staff in Katy, Texas at 281-305-0423. For convenience, you can also text us at 832-639-5725 or book your appointment online.