When it is Time to go to an ER for your Stomach Pain

Stomach pain is so common, it is easy to brush it off and think, “I’ll be better soon.” Then wait for the pain to go away. Some stomach pains are ongoing, while other times, the pain suddenly occurs. If you have any of these symptoms, you should head to an ER:

• A tender or swollen abdomen.
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
• Pain accompanied by a high fever or persistent vomiting.
• Presence of blood in stools.
• Yellowish discoloration of the skin.
• Fresh bruising on the abdomen.
• Recent abdominal trauma, such as from a car accident or impact.
• You are pregnant and do not have a history of stomach pain prior to becoming pregnant.

If you are doubling over in pain and cannot even stand up, get to an ER as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Stomach Pain

There are many causes of stomach pain. Some are more severe than others. Some stomach pains are caused by life-threatening conditions. If you have any of the above listed symptoms, the cause of your stomach pain may be:

• Food poisoning. This can be life-threatening, especially for those over 65, who suffer from a weakened immune system, those who are pregnant, and young children. If you cannot hold down water, it’s time to be seen by a doctor.
• Gall stones. These are hardened pieces of bile that form in your gallbladder or bile ducts. When they get stuck in the bile ducts and block the flow of bile, they then cause you severe pain. Your pain will not get better until the gallstones are surgically removed.
• Intestinal or bowel obstruction. This can be life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency that needs immediate attention.
• Appendicitis. The pain begins with cramping in your upper abdomen and escalates quickly. It should be treated immediately before the infected appendix bursts and infects your entire stomach area.
• Pancreatitis is inflammation of your pancreas. It can be chronic and causes pain in the right upper quadrant that frequently feels like the pain loops around to your back. It can be life-threatening if not treated. In severe cases, parts of the pancreas, or the entire pancreas might need to be surgically removed.
• Trauma. If you were in any type of accident and suffered an injury to your abdomen that causes you pain, head to an ER. You may have internal bleeding or have damaged an organ.
• Ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, almost always in the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes do not stretch, so when the egg grows, the fallopian tube breaks and causes life-threatening bleeding in the pregnant woman. It must be treated immediately.
• Recent abdominal surgery. This includes all types, such as a gastric bypass, colorectal surgery for colon cancer, removal of gallstones, and more. This is true whether surgery was laparoscopic or by incision into the abdomen.

What to Expect at the Rice ER

At Rice ER, just as a hospital-connected ER, doctors are board-certified and registered nurses are specially trained to deal with all types of medical conditions. Rice ER is also equipped with in-house imaging services and lab services necessary to determine the cause of your stomach pain.

The difference in what you will find at a hospital-connected ER versus the stand alone Rice ER is in the wait times. Hospital ERs can have long wait-times and may be under-staffed for the volume of people requesting care.

At Rice ER, you will speak to a board-certified physician soon after your arrival, in most cases, within minutes. You will receive all necessary lab and imaging tests and promptly receive the results and a treatment plan established.