While abdominal pain is a common symptom that often doesn’t need treatment, it can be the sign of a serious medical condition. Sometimes stomach upset requires medical attention, or even emergency care. Check out these tips for understand stomach upset and where to find a doctor near you.

Types of Stomach Upset

The abdomen doesn’t just involve the digest tract. It also houses vital organs like the large intestine, stomach, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and appendix. Typically, abdominal pain is mild and resolves with little to no treatment. an upset stomach may be uncomfortable for an hour or so and then resolve when your digestion normalizes. Abdominal pain can also be caused by gas or bloating. If your pain is general and mild, it is most likely due to indigestion. This can normally be treated with antacids or other over-the-counter medications.

However, if your abdominal pain is localized, meaning one particular spot hurts, it could be a sign that there is a more serious issue. If the pain is sharp, persistent, or worsens, you should have it examined by a doctor. If your pain radiates from your chest and feels like heartburn, it could be a heart attack. If you experience this pain with shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or shooting pains down an arm, seek medical attention immediately.

[Related: Heart Disease Diagnosis]

When to Call the Doctor

As a rule, you should see a doctor for abdominal pain if you are experience one or more of the following symptoms:

·        Pain that is dull and lasts for more than a week

·        Pain that is significant and does not get better within 24 to 48 hours

·        Pain that worsens and either gets more severe or occurs frequently

·        Pain accompanied by bloating that lasts for more than two days

·        Pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss

·        Pain accompanied by diarrhea that lasts for more than five days

·        Pain accompanied by fever

·        Pain accompanied by a burning or painful sensation when urinating

Emergency Care

Severe abdominal pain should not be ignored. If you have any of the following symptoms, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911. These include:

·        Gastric pain accompanied by shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·        Persistent nausea and vomiting

·        Abdominal pain while vomiting blood

·        Pain that is severe and sudden

·        Pain accompanied by the inability to have a bowel movement (especially if you are vomiting)

·        Profuse or continual bleeding from the bowels

·        Severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen

·        Swelling of the abdomen

·        Skin that appears yellow

·        Pain during pregnancy or if you suspect that you are pregnant

[Related: Colon Cancer]

Stomach Upset Doctor Near Me

While abdominal pain is usually something simple, it can also be very serious. If something just doesn’t feel right, or you have the symptoms listed above, it’s best to have doctor examine you and make sure that your upset stomach isn’t anything serious. Contact Bowie Internal Medicine today to learn more.