Acute abdominal pain – when can it be dangerous?

Everyone experiences stomach pain at some point in their life. It is a condition that may have various causes and severity. It is often the result of improper eating, stress or gastrointestinal infections. However, this pain is not always harmless, so it is important to skillfully recognize signals that may indicate the need for immediate medical intervention. In this article, we will discuss the different aspects of acute abdominal pain and when you should act quickly.

Symptoms accompanying abdominal pain

Before understanding when abdominal pain can be dangerous, it is worth paying attention to other ailments accompanying the pain. It is worth paying attention to:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal swelling
• Blood in the stool

These symptoms may indicate a more serious health problem and require immediate medical consultation.

When does abdominal pain indicate that you need to call an ambulance?

There are situations in which the abdominal pain is so intense and accompanied by other disturbing symptoms that it is necessary to call an ambulance. It’s worth acting quickly if:

• The pain is unbearable and increasing
• The patient loses consciousness
• Gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurs
• The abdomen is hard and bloated

In these cases, time is of the essence and a delay may endanger the patient’s life.

When does abdominal pain indicate the need to go to hospital?

Abdominal pain that is very severe and does not go away, but there are no symptoms that require immediate intervention, may indicate the need to visit the hospital. Especially if the pain is accompanied by problems with urination, nausea and vomiting, as well as fever. In this case, your doctor may decide to hospitalize you for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

When do abdominal pain indicate that you should go to a clinic or emergency room?

Some abdominal pain, while not as dramatic, may require urgent medical evaluation. If you experience pain that lasts longer than a few hours and is not related to eating or your menstrual period, it is worth going to a clinic or emergency room. Similarly, if abdominal pain is accompanied by constipation, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite, immediate medical consultation is necessary.

When can abdominal pain be treated at home?

In some cases, abdominal pain can be caused by simple causes such as eating too much, food intolerance or stress. In such situations, you can try to relieve the pain at home by:

• Rest
• Avoiding hard to digest foods
• Taking paracetamol-based painkillers
• Applying warm compression to the abdomen

However, if the pain does not subside after a few hours or gets worse, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

Treating abdominal pain at home

For mild abdominal pain, you can try various home treatments. It is worth remembering to hydrate the body, avoid alcohol and spicy food, and use medications in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations or packaging.

When should you report abdominal pain to your doctor?

Disturbing abdominal pain that does not go away is a signal that you should see a doctor. It is also worth doing this if you experience additional symptoms, such as:

• Fever
• Change in stool color
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Abdominal swelling

Diagnosis and treatment of abdominal pain require a thorough medical examination and possible additional tests, such as blood tests, ultrasound or computed tomography.

Your suggestions

If you have any doubts about abdominal pain, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. It is the doctor who can best assess the situation and decide on further steps. Remember that health is the most important thing, so do not ignore abdominal pain, especially if it is unusual or getting worse.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in the topic of abdominal health and related ailments, we recommend that you read our other articles on this topic:

• “Constipation – causes and treatments”
• “A healthy diet for the stomach – how to take care of your digestion”
• “Gastrointestinal infections – how to deal with them”

Reading these articles can help you better understand abdominal pain problems and how to prevent them.

It is worth remembering that each case of abdominal pain is individual, so you should always follow the opinion of a medical specialist to effectively solve the health problem.