Abdominal Pain: When It’s an Emergency You Should Never Ignore

Severe, sudden, or worsening abdominal pain can be a medical emergency.

If pain is associated with vomiting, fever, bloating, blood in stools, chest pain, or fainting, immediate hospital evaluation is critical to prevent life-threatening complications.

📌 Why Abdominal Pain Should Not Be Ignored

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms people ignore or self-treat. Many patients assume it is gas, acidity, or food poisoning. However, serious conditions like appendicitis, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, gallbladder infection, or internal bleeding often start with “simple” stomach pain.

Doctors consistently see delayed cases where early treatment could have avoided surgery or ICU care.

🧠 Common Emergency Causes of Abdominal Pain

Appendicitis

• Starts near the navel, moves to right lower abdomen
• Pain worsens with movement
• Requires urgent surgery

Acute Pancreatitis

• Severe upper abdominal pain radiating to back
• Vomiting, fever, rapid pulse
• Often linked to gallstones or alcohol

Intestinal Obstruction

• Severe bloating
• No passage of stools or gas
• Requires emergency intervention

Gallbladder Infection

• Right upper abdominal pain
• Fever and nausea
• Can become life-threatening if delayed

Gastric or Intestinal Perforation

• Sudden “bursting” pain
• Emergency surgery needed immediately

Smaller stones may pass naturally, but larger stones often require medical treatment.

🩺 How Doctors Diagnose Emergency Abdominal Pain

At a hospital, doctors may use:

• Blood tests
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• X-ray
• ECG (if chest-related pain suspected)

Early diagnosis helps avoid complications and major surgeries.

🛑 What NOT to Do

• Don’t self-medicate repeatedly
• Don’t ignore night-time pain
• Don’t rely on home remedies for severe pain
• Don’t delay hospital visit due to fear

Abdominal pain is your body’s warning signal. Ignoring it can be dangerous.

Early evaluation saves lives and prevents complications.

👉 If you or your loved one has severe abdominal pain, seek medical care immediately.