Abdominal Pains
Types, Causes & When to go to the Emergency Room
There are many reasons you may experience abdominal pain, most are benign, but sometimes, pain in your abdomen can be a warning sign of a serious illness that needs immediate medical attention.
At Supreme Care ER the finest emergency room in Cypress Texas, we’re happy to provide you with the emergency care that you need in the event of a medical emergency.
What is Abdominal Pain?
When we talk about abdominal pains, we refer to any pain or discomfort you feel between the lower part of your chest and your groin or pelvic area.
This area houses many vital organs, including:
- Stomach
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Gallbladder
- The small and large intestines
Types of Abdominal Pains
There are three different types of abdominal pains; they are categorized based on how quickly it manifests and how long it lasts.
Acute Pain: Severe acute abdominal pain usually requires immediate medical attention. Pain develops suddenly, and other symptoms including nausea and vomiting, typically accompany it.
Progressive Pain: This is pain that steadily worsens as time passes. Progressive pain is often a sign of a more serious condition and does warrant a medical evaluation.
Chronic Pain: This pain is present for at least three months. Pain can be continuous, or it can come and go; the severity of the pain can also increase and decrease.
There are also different ways to describe abdominal pain depending on where and how it’s felt:
Generalized Pain: This is pain felt in more than half of the abdominal area. Stomach viruses, indigestion, or gas typically cause this type of pain. However, if the pain worsens, it could indicate a more serious condition, such as an intestinal blockage.
Localized Pain: This is pain felt in only one area of the abdomen and is usually related to an organ such as the gallbladder, appendix, or stomach.
Cramp-Like Pain: Usually the result of gas and bloating, it’s often accompanied by other digestive discomforts like diarrhea. This type of pain is usually not a reason to worry. However, if the pain lasts more than 24 hours and you develop a fever, you should seek medical attention.
Colicky Pain: This pain comes in sudden waves and is often a sign of a severe condition, including kidney or gallstones.
Common Causes of Abdominal Pain
These are the most common causes of abdominal pain:
- Infections
- Intestinal disorders
- Intestinal blockages (obstruction)
- Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Stress
- Appendicitis
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Gallbladder stones
- Kidney stones
- Kidney infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Traumatic injury
- Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb)
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Please call 911 if you have severe abdominal pain related to trauma (accident, fall, or other injuries) or if you are also experiencing chest pain.
Seek immediate emergency care if you experience pain that is severe enough that you need to curl up to get comfortable or if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Fever greater than 101°F
- Bloody stools
- Vomiting blood
- Nausea and uncontrolled or persistent vomiting
- Swelling or severe tenderness of the abdomen
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- You are unable to keep food down for more than two days
- You show signs of dehydration (infrequent urination, dark urine, and feeling very thirsty)
At Supreme Care ER in Houston, the finest emergency room in Cypress, Texas, we’re happy to provide you with the emergency care you need in the event of a medical emergency. We are conveniently located at 9530 Jones Road, Houston, Texas, 77065. We’re fast and remain open 24 hours year-round.
