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Abdominal pain can be intense, scary, and more than a little uncomfortable. But not every kind of abdominal pain requires emergency care. To understand your pain better and to know when you're potentially dealing with a medical emergency, it's important to recognize certain signs and symptoms. Below is a brief introduction to when you should seek emergency care for abdominal discomfort.

Watch Out for These Symptoms

There are several abdominal symptoms that should not be ignored. If you experience any of these in addition to pain in the abdomen, see a medical doctor sooner rather than later. Serious warning signs include:

  • Chest pain
  • Dark, black, or red stool
  • Fever
  • Inability to eat without vomiting
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness/fainting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Vomiting blood

Conditions That Could Signal an Emergency

emergency careAbdominal pain that accompanies certain medical conditions or certain medical procedures should also be treated as an emergency situation. These include:

  • A recent abdominal surgery or an endoscopy
  • Pregnant women (or women who suspect they may be pregnant)
  • Those over 45 years old experiencing pain or tightness in the upper abdomen/chest
  • Those who have recently undergone gastric bypass or a similar weight loss surgery

If You Have Any of These Symptoms/Conditions

When it comes to abdominal pain, it's always best to err on the side of caution. If any of the above symptoms or conditions apply to your abdominal discomfort, seek emergency care right away. Stomach issues can cause severe complications and lead to a variety of serious health issues, so you should never let pain anywhere in the midsection go untreated or ignored. Also, our bodies have a remarkable way of telling us when something is amiss; if your gut is sending you the message that a critical health problem could be the cause of your pain, listen to your body and visit a physician as soon as possible.

 

If you live in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, trust John R. Loughrey, M.D. Dr. Loughrey and his team specialize in gastroenterology and the treatment of abdominal pain. Call (513) 681-8800 or visit them online to make an appointment today.

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