When Abdominal Pain is an Emergency
If you’ve ever suffered sudden, acute pain in the abdomen, a chronic ache in the gut, or a long, drawn out ache in the stomach, you probably wondered when would be the right time to go to the ER. In most cases, the board-certified emergency medicine physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care recommend coming in for a fast evaluation if you have any doubts about your abdominal pain.
“Abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints that we see often in the Emergency Room setting,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “It could potentially be caused by any of a number of serious medical conditions. Patients require medical evaluation to determine the root cause of pain.”
Causes of Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can be acute (coming on suddenly) or chronic (persistent over time). It can come and go, or it can be steady and even pulsating. Everyone suffers from abdominal pain at some point in their lives. Understanding some of the causes can help you know if it’s time to head to the ER. Some of the serious causes of abdominal pain include:
- Appendicitis
- Gallbladder
- Spleen rupture
- Kidney stone or infection
- Bladder inflammation or urinary tract infection
- Heart attack
- Aortic aneurism
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diverticulitis or intestinal blockage
- Stomach flu
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cyst
- Hernia
- Celiac disease
- Ulcer
- Sickle cell anemia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Hepatitis
- Cancer
- Lymphoma
“As you can see, there are a wide array of reasons why a person may be suffering from abdominal pain,” said Dr. Vora. “It’s important to know how long the pain has been going on, if it comes and goes or is steady, if any activity or food seems to trigger it, or if there are any accompanying symptoms.”
Emergency Signs Accompanying Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can be an indicator of a life-threatening condition. If your pain is sudden or severe, come to the ER right away. If the pain is in the mid-to-lower right side, come to the ER for evaluation.
Come to the ER immediately if your abdominal pain comes with:
- Fever
- Bloody stool
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Tender area that hurts to touch
- Bloated, extended abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Yellowing skin
- Pink urine or difficulty urinating
“There’s a reason for your abdominal pain and it shouldn’t be ignored. Any time you are suffering from pain or chronic ache, you should be seen by a qualified physician. We have a range of helpful diagnostic tools, such as lab tests, CT scan, ultrasound and X-ray right here for easy access,” said Dr. Vora. “If you are experiencing abdominal pain, come right in and let us help you.”
Treatments for Abdominal Pain
Since there are so many different causes of abdominal pain, the treatment may also vary and possibly include prescription for pain medications and/or antibiotics, regulating diet, initiating immediate surgical intervention or implementing a long-term maintenance plan for chronic conditions.
Fast Help at Medco ER & Urgent Care
When you are experiencing abdominal pain and are suspicious that something’s not right, the emergency physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care are ready 24/7 to take care of you. Don’t delay coming in for an immediate evaluation. We offer No Wait access to top emergency care physicians and our trained team will go to work fast to help you start to feel better again.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.
10 Symptoms You Should NOT Ignore
Self-reliance, toughing it out and playing through the pain is so ingrained in our psyches that it is common to hear of someone who waited too long to go to the doctor. Some symptoms are early indicators of a serious health condition and should not be ignored. To help you know the difference between a passing pain and a serious symptom, the physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care have compiled a list of 10 things you just shouldn’t ignore.
“If you are noticing any of these symptoms,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “Come to Medco ER immediately or call 9-1-1 for assistance. Even if it turns out to be a minor condition that is easily treatable, it is best to err on the side of caution in most of these cases.”
1. Sudden Pain
If you have sudden, shooting or stabbing pain, you should pay close attention. If there is no cause for it that you can easily identify, it’s time to head to Plano’s Medco ER for evaluation. If you have pressure in your chest or pain in your neck, jaw or shoulders, it could be heart-related. Any piercing headache that comes on suddenly should also receive a prompt medical evaluation.
2. Difficulty Breathing
When your breathing becomes strained, reduced or labored, try to remain calm and not panic. Shortness of breath can be a sign of a serious medical condition such as COVID-19, Pneumonia or heart problems, OR it may be caused by a benign condition such as anxiety. However, you must seek medical attention to rule out a serious disease.
3. Numbness
If you notice an unusual sensation of numbness, such as in a foot, arm or hand, it could potentially be an early sign of stroke. At Medco ER, we have the diagnostic tools, such as a CT scan, to help evaluate your condition and treat you quickly to prevent serious health consequences of a stroke such as paralysis.
4. Sudden Weakness
If you suddenly feel your legs give out, your strength drops, you are dizzy or you feel weak all over, it is time to get medical help. Weakness may be a sign of stroke or heart attack. You could be experiencing a drop in blood pressure or a heart issue. Additionally, fainting should never be ignored.
5. Racing Heart
If your heart suddenly goes into overdrive and is racing for no apparent reason, you need to be evaluated by a qualified ER physician. Have someone drive you to the nearest ER or call for an ambulance. It is important to rule out a heart attack or cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
6. Searing Pain
If you suddenly have a searing headache or a burning pain in any other part of your body, this is not something to ignore. Your body is trying to tell you something. Our board-certified physicians excel at diagnostics and are ready to help. For example, a sudden onset of an excruciating headache can potentially be a sign of aneurysm or bleeding in the brain and requires an emergent CT scan of the head for evaluation.
7. Blood in the Stool
If you notice a dark, tarry looking stool, it may have blood in it. If you think there is blood in your bowel movements, it is time to be checked out by a qualified doctor. At Medco ER, our qualified physicians can perform blood tests to check for anemia, liver disorder and even a CT scan to rule out potentially serious bleeding in the abdomen.
8. Unexplained Weight Loss
If you are losing weight without a change in diet, exercise or activity level, that is enough reason to go see the doctor. Weight loss may be a sign of cancer, which may be caught in its early stages by a CT scan.
9. Confusion
Any confusion or change in mental status should be immediately evaluated at the nearest ER. If the patient shows unusual signs like being unable to do simple math, tell time or recall a major event, it is time to head to the ER. Confusion may be an early sign of stroke or bleeding in the brain.
10. Dimming Vision
Any changes in the vision, especially if occurring suddenly and accompanied by a headache, should be immediately examined at the ER. “We can examine the patient and refer to an eye specialist, if appropriate,” said Dr. Vora. “Or, it could be related to a medical condition that we can begin to treat right away.”
Find help at Medco ER & Urgent Care
Any condition of a sudden onset can be quickly addressed at Medco ER & Urgent Care. Our no-wait ER has Board Certifies physicians standing by 24/7 to diagnose and treat your condition. We provide fast access to some of the highest quality and safest medical care in the region.
While many conditions presenting to the ER may be benign, it’s important to rule out the serious ailments before they become life threatening. We take pride in our staff and Board-Certified physicians at Medco ER who can recognize the severity of any presenting medical complaint and act fast to save lives in an efficient & timely manner.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.