Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
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.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: February 15, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
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