How do you know when abdominal pain is serious?
There are three main things to look for that can help diagnose the source of abdominal pain, including: Type of Pain — Dull, achy, constant pain can be related to different problems than sharp, stabbing, fleeting pain. The type of pain can tell doctors a lot about what might be going on, so all forms of pain should be evaluated as soon as possible. Location of Pain — Because the abdomen has multiple organs, pinpointing the exact location can be difficult. It helps to narrow it down to the upper abdomen, the lower abdomen, the right side or the left as any organ in this region can cause abdominal pain. Additional Symptoms — If there are other symptoms associated with abdominal pain, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or indigestion, the doctor will take all of these into account when making a diagnosis. Abdominal pain that indicates a serious medical emergency include the following, and should be treated at the ER right away: • Constant or severe abdominal pain • Pain associated with a high fever • Changes in pain intensity or location • Pain accompanied by other serious or unusual symptoms • Pain localized to one particular area • Right lower quadrant could indicate appendicitis • Right upper quadrant could indicate a gallbladder infection • Left lower quadrant could indicate a colon infection