Abdominal Pain, Age 12 And Older: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Have you had a recent injury to the abdomen?

See significance of injury if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have severe pain after an injury?

Yes

Do you have bleeding from the rectum, urethra, or vagina that started after an injury to the abdomen?

Yes

Do you have an abdominal wound that penetrated deeper than a scratch?

Yes

Do you have shoulder pain after an injury to the abdomen and you have not had a shoulder injury?

Yes

Was your injury intentionally caused by another person (abuse)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Have you vomited more than one time after an injury to the abdomen?

Yes

Do you have moderate pain when pressing on the abdomen 1 hour after an injury to the abdomen?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had nausea for longer than 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had heartburn or loss of appetite for longer than 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had ongoing mild pain but no other symptoms for longer than 24 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	February 15, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer