Abdominal Pain, Age 12 And Older: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Are you vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds?

See significance of blood in vomit 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 the following question.

Note:

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

Yes

Have you vomited more than a streak of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, but you do not have signs of shock?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Note:

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

Yes

Do you have a streak of bright red blood in your vomit and you are not sure if the blood is from irritation of your nose or mouth while vomiting?

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

Yes

Have you had a streak of blood in your vomit more than one time in the past 24 hours and you are sure the blood is coming from your nose or mouth ?

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