How Do I Know if My Stomach Pain Is Serious?

Stomach pain can have many causes. Most of them aren't serious, but some are, and you need to be able to recognize the warning signs.

If you rest, avoid certain foods, take medication, or use a heating pad, you may get relief from some kinds of pain. For others, you may need urgent medical care.

This article explains which symptoms mean you should head to the emergency room (ER). It also lists symptoms that mean you should visit your healthcare provider. Finally, it provides some at-home solutions to try.

When Stomach Pain Is an Emergency

Stomach pain can sometimes be caused by a life-threatening condition. Some examples are:

• Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
• Bowel obstruction (when food or waste blocks the intestine)
• Bowel perforation (a hole in the intestine that leaks food material)

These emergencies usually cause pain that feels extreme. Your stomach pain may be urgent if:

• You're pregnant
• Your pain started within a week of abdominal surgery
• Your pain started after a procedure in your stomach area, like an endoscopy
• You have ever had surgery on your digestive tract, like a gastric bypass, colostomy, or bowel resection
• Your pain started shortly after an abdominal trauma
• Your abdomen is bruised or rapidly expanding

Even if these don't apply, get help if you feel unusually severe pain.

Sometimes stomach pain is mild at first but gets worse after a few hours. You may also develop other symptoms. Get help right away if you have any of these symptoms along with stomach pain:

• Extremely hard abdomen
• Abdominal tenderness when touched
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Vomiting that won't stop
• Bloody diarrhea
• Chest pain or pressure
• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Inability to have a bowel movement, along with vomiting
• Pain in the neck, shoulder, or between shoulder blades
• Vision changes

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Some kinds of stomach pain need immediate attention. With others, you can call or visit your healthcare provider. It can be hard to know what you should do. Listen to your body and trust your instincts if you're not sure.

If you have any of these symptoms along with stomach pain, call your healthcare provider within one to two days:

• Burning with urination
• Urgent need to urinate
• Blood in the urine
• Pain, discomfort, or nausea when you eat
• Diarrhea that lasts more than five days
• Fever above 100 degrees
• Fever for three days or longer
• Loss of appetite
• Pain that gets worse or doesn't get better within one or two days
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
• Excessive vaginal bleeding or blood clots
• Vaginal bleeding that lasts for longer than usual

You should also call your healthcare provider if you have stomach pain while you are being treated for cancer.

When You Can Manage Stomach Pain on Your Own

If your stomach pain is not severe or long-lasting, and if you're not having symptoms like those mentioned above, the pain may go away on its own.

Try taking these steps:

• Limit yourself to clear liquids for a few hours.
• If you have vomiting or diarrhea, stick with the BRAT diet. Eat mild foods until you feel better.
• Avoid foods that are hard to digest. Fatty, fried, or spicy foods can cause stomach pain. So can drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Try an over-the-counter antacid or a product to relieve gas.
• Try to have a bowel movement. Eating raw fruit, vegetables, beans, or high-fiber cereal can help.
• Use a hot water bottle or heating pad. Place the pad on your abdomen for a half hour at a time, with a towel under the pad to protect your skin.

Your symptoms may improve within a day or two. If they do not, call your healthcare provider.

Summary

Stomach pain may mean you have an urgent medical problem like appendicitis or a blockage or leak in your intestines. A hard stomach, vomiting, bleeding, dizziness, or fainting are signs of a medical emergency when they happen with stomach pain.

If you're pregnant, being treated for cancer, or you've had an abdominal procedure or trauma, don't wait. Go to the emergency room right away.

Call your doctor if you have other symptoms such as fever or diarrhea with stomach pain. You may have a health condition that needs treatment. Otherwise, you may be able to try some home remedies to ease the pain.

A Word From Verywell

Stomach pain is very common. When the pain is severe, it can be alarming. Because there are so many causes, it can be hard to figure out whether it is serious or not. If you are not sure whether your stomach pain is serious, it is best to seek medical attention.