When to Seek Medical Care

Call or see your healthcare provider if the patient has any of the following:

• Abdominal pain that lasts more than six hours or is getting worse
  
  
• Pain that stops the patient from eating
  
  
• Pain accompanied by vomiting more than three or four times
  
  
• Pain that worsens when the patient tries to move around
  
  
• Pain that starts all over, but settles into one area especially the right lower abdomen
  
  
• Pain that wakes the patient up at night
  
  
• Pain with vaginal bleeding or pregnancy, even if the patient only thinks she might be pregnant
  
  
• Pain accompanied by fever over 101°F
  
  
• Pain along with inability to urinate, move the bowels, or pass gas
  
  
• Any other pain that feels different from a simple stomach ache
  
  
• Any other pain that alarms the patient, or concerns the them in any way

If the patient has any of the following, or cannot reach their healthcare provider, go to a hospital emergency department:

• The "worst pain of your life" or very severe pain
  
  
• Pain so bad the patient passes out or almost passes out
  
  
• Pain so bad the patient cannot move
  
  
• Pain and vomiting blood, or any vomiting that lasts more than six hours
  
  
• Pain and no bowel movement for more than three days
  
  
• Pain that reminds you of pain you had before, when you ended up needing surgery
  
  
• Pain the patient thinks might be in their chest, but they aren't sure
  
  
• Pain that seems to come from the patient's testicles

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Abdominal Pain (Adults) - Describe Your Experience

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