Common Causes Of Chest And Abdominal Pain
When you are having abdominal or chest pain, it is often difficult to find what is causing it. Many different factors including the severity of pain, its location, and other symptoms could guide your doctor to figure out what is causing the pain.
There are two different types of pain or discomfort that you can have in your stomach or chest. The first type of pain is generalized pain, which can happen with many different illnesses. This type of pain is known to go away without any medical treatment. The second type of abdomen pain is localized pain. This is when you only have pain in one part of the abdomen. These pains normally happen suddenly and get worse over time.
Common causes of chest and abdominal pain include:
Schedule A Doctors Appointment If:
If youre experiencing stomach pain that repeatedly comes back or grows worse over an extended period of time you may want to schedule a doctors appointment. This could also be the case if you notice that certain foods trigger your stomach pain, or you experience pain in the abdomen at least twice a month for three months.
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
- Yellowing skin
- Pink urine or difficulty urinating
Theres a reason for your abdominal pain and it shouldnt 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.
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What Are The Possible Causes Of Abdominal Pain
There are a number of conditions that can cause abdominal pain. However, the main causes are:
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Inflammation
Furthermore, a physician will also determine whether your symptoms are caused by infections in the blood, intestines, or throat. These infections can cause bacteria to move into your digestive tract, causing abdominal pain as well as other symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation.
In general, the less serious and most common causes of abdominal pain and discomfort are the following:
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Diarrhea
On the other hand, the conditions that typically cause severe acute abdominal pain are:
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Organ rupture, a common example of which is a burst appendix
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Gallbladder stones and inflammation
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Kidney stones and/or infection
You Think You Broke Or Tweaked Something
Where you should go depends on what the “what” is. In short: Minor broken bones would be a case for urgent care, while major broken bones should be treated at the ER.
Heres another way to decide: rolled your ankle and think it might be broken or sprained, but it doesnt look deformed? Small breaks like that, which wont require straightening of the bone, can be splinted in urgent care centers, says Roth. If that ankle is flopping around or visibly deformed, seek emergency care.
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Three Things To Look For With Stomach Pain
Suhail Sharif, MD, a general surgeon at Medical City Fort Worth and Medical City Alliance says there are three things you should look for that can help diagnose the source of abdominal pain, including:
- Type of pain: Is it a dull, achy, constant pain? Or more of a sharp, stabbing pain that comes and goes? This can tell doctors a lot about what might be going on.
- Location of pain: Pinpointing the exact location can be difficult, but try to narrow it down to the upper abdomen, the lower abdomen, the right side or the left. The abdomen has multiple organs, Dr. Sharif says, and as such any organ can cause abdominal pain.
- Additional symptoms: Are there other symptoms associated with your abdominal pain, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or indigestion? Your doctor will take all of these into account when making a diagnosis.
Here Are Five Signs You Should Head For The Emergency Room Instead
Again, these are general. If you think you need emergency care for something that isnt on this list, seek it.
For instance, an allergic reaction involving swelling in your tongue and mouth can impact your breathing, which deserves emergency attention. Severe shortness of breath can also be a sign of a cardiovascular issue such as a heart attack. No matter the cause, always seek emergency care if your ability to breathe is compromised in an alarming way.
Chest discomfort on the left side, which could signal a heart attack, generally deserves prompt medical attention. This could present as straight-up pain, but it might also feel like pressure, squeezing, or as though that area is strangely full, according to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. This discomfort can be mild or intense, persistent or intermittent.
With that said, women are more likely to experience lesser known symptoms of a heart attack, like shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain that radiates into the back, shoulders, and jaw. If youre experiencing any of these, go to the emergency room or call 911.
This is especially important if youre more prone to heart attacks due to being over 55 or having other heart attack risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and a family history of this health issue.
You can think of the stroke symptoms to watch for with the acronym FAST, the Mayo Clinic says:
Related:
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Your Stomach Pain Is Accompanied By Other Severe Symptoms
When severe stomach pain isnt your only symptom, that increases the likelihood that you are suffering from a serious medical condition. Symptoms to be concerned about include but are not limited to:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Bloody or burning urine
- Bowel movements accompanied by vomiting
- Chest pain or pressure
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
- Diarrhea lasting more than 5 days
- Difficulty Breathing
- Inability to pass a stool
- Neck pain
You Have The Worst Headache Ever
Think about: A ruptured aneurysm or stroke. People whove had a ruptured aneurysm in their brain often complain about feeling the worst headache of their life. The pain often starts suddenly. That could signal bleeding within the brain, says Dr. Evans. You may also be unable to think clearly, fumble with speech, or have problems with vision, swallowing, or movement, symptoms that could indicate either a brain bleed or a blocked artery in the brain .
What to do: If any headache feels exceptional , book it to an ER. The faster you get treatment, the better. Dont be embarrassed if its a false alarm. As Linda Regan, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, puts it, Telling patients its nothing is what all ER doctors hope for.
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Bleeding And Ruptured Blood Vessels
The stomach is full of blood vessels, including the aorta, which is the bodys largest blood vessel.
A ruptured aortic aneurysm occurs when a bulge in the aorta breaks. An aortic dissection happens when something cuts or punctures the aorta. Sustaining any tear or rupture in the stomachs blood vessels is a life-threatening emergency.
The main symptom of a ruptured blood vessel in the stomach is sudden, unexplained, extreme pain. Some people also experience shortness of breath, a racing heart, and dizziness.
People who know they have an abdominal aneurysm should treat any stomach pain as an emergency. On arrival at the emergency room, they must tell the physician about the aneurysm.
Stomach Ills: When Should I Go To Urgent Care
by ZipClinic | Dec 15, 2016 | Blog Posts, General Tips, Illness Prevention
The holiday season brings with it plenty of traveling and visiting with family and friends, which can expose you to new foods and germs.
When your stomach doesnt feel right, its not always clear what kind of ill you may be dealing with. Symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting can be the result of a host of illnesses ranging from food poisoning to the stomach flu.
Heres a look at how you may be able to tell what is causing your symptoms, provide some relief, or make the decision to seek urgent care where testing can be done to determine cause of your illness.
Food poisoning is caused from eating foods that contain bacteria, viruses or parasites. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, and even fever. They can start within hours of eating contaminated food or show up days later. At-home treatment options include: resting, drinking clear fluids , and taking acetaminophen to reduce fever and discomfort. You should also avoid milk and cheese products, raw fruits and vegetables, fatty foods, alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine for a few days.
How can I avoid getting sick? Wash your hands frequently and pay attention to food safety. The best offense is a good defense!
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Is Stomach Pain A Sign Of Covid
Fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath are some of the hallmark symptoms of COVID-19. However, a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggested that abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting may also be early indicators of COVID-19.
Its important to keep in mind that if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or a combination of any of those symptoms, it doesnt necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. However, its wise to pay extra attention to your health and such symptoms at this time. For your peace of mind and safety, its best to undergo .
When Should I Go To The Er For Abdominal Pain
How do you know when stomach pain is serious? If you are having any doubt about the type of chest and abdominal pain that you are experiencing or your chest pain includes any of the following symptoms, please call 911 immediately.
- Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back
- A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone
- Nausea, dizziness, rapid heart rate or rapid breathing, confusion, ashen color, or excessive sweating
- Very low blood pressure or very low heart rate
- Sudden sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity
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Stay Home Doctor Er Or Urgent Care
Stomach pains occur for a multitude of reasons, ranging from mild to severe. By itself, a typical stomach ache is not cause for alarm and can be safely treated at home. If stomach pain presents with new or worsening issues or is persistent, however, it may need to be evaluated by a medical professional. Here we explain how you can tell the difference between a typical stomach ache and a more serious matter, as well as the most common causes of stomach pain.
When To Go To Urgent Care For Stomach Pain
When to go to Urgent Care for Stomach pain
Many times, stomach pain is a symptom of an acute issue like food poisoning or appendicitis. And if you have abdominal pain on top of diarrhea and vomiting , go to urgent care. Delaying treatment for these acute issues can result in serious complications and long-term health problems. So remember: when youre vomiting blood or experiencing severe abdominal pain, dont hold offgo straight to urgent care.
Common stomach pain can be caused by a number of different factors, including gas, stress, overeating and more. If youre having constant severe pain or youre vomiting regularly, it may be a good idea to head over to urgent care. There are several signs and symptoms that should have you considering urgent care: Persistent Nausea : If your nausea is consistent and doesnt get better after taking an anti-nausea medication such as Zofran or Kytril , you may have something more serious than an upset stomach.
Frequent stomach pain is a symptom of many different conditions. Gastrointestinal distress can be caused by a number of things, such as indigestion or food allergies. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious issues like ulcers and even cancer. If you notice persistent stomach pain accompanied by vomiting, fever or other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Also consult your doctor if youre experiencing bloody stool, abdominal cramps that dont subside or sudden weight loss.
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Experiencing Abnormal Stomach And Chest Pain Visit Complete Care Er For Quality Treatment
Stomach and chest pain can have different variants of pain level and location. Some people have a sharp, stabbing pain while others experience a dull, burning, aching, or tight sensation. Whatever type of pain or discomfort youre feeling, never hesitate to call your doctor or head into the emergency room. You know your body better than anyone and asking for help may just save you from a life-threatening emergency.
When youre experiencing pain accompanied by the onset of other abnormal symptoms, dont wait to head into a Complete Care emergency room. We offer effective ER treatment for chest and abdominal pain without the typical long wait times of your typical ERs when you visit one of our locations in Colorado or Texas today.
Should I Go To Emerald Coast Urgent Care For Back Pain Dont Wait Go Now
You dont want to mess around with back pain. If you are debating, Should I go to urgent care for back pain, then chances are you should. You know how bad your pain is, and putting off seeing a doctor will only make it worse.It is important to go to urgent care as soon as possible. Here at Emerald Coast Urgent Care, we help people with back pain all the time. Use our contact page to ask us any questions, or walk in today. No appointments necessary!
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Choose Bayside Urgent Care For Stomach Pain
Our center is located in Clearwater, Florida, conveniently situated to Largo, Belleair, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, and Tampa. If you are experiencing symptoms detailed above, visit our office or call.
*Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. Always head to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing very serious or life-threatening problems. Read What is Urgent Care for more information.
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When To Go To Urgent Care For Abdominal Pain
When to go to Urgent Care for Abdominal Pain
If your abdominal pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you may have a stomach bug. But if its caused by something like appendicitis, you need to get checked out immediately. Go straight to urgent care if you experience severe abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting . Your doctor will likely do a basic exam and ask questions about your health history.
Abdominal pain is a common symptom that can indicate several different medical problems. Most of us have had abdominal pain at some point and recognize that it doesnt feel good. Even though we recognize it, there are many people who dont know what type of abdominal pain they are experiencing or what action they should take. If you have any concern about your abdominal pain, your first step should be to contact your primary care physician or one of our hospitals and ask for advice. However, if you know your doctor is unavailable or experience severe abdominal pain especially if accompanied by other symptoms like fever, nausea or vomiting you may want to consider visiting one of our urgent care facilities.
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When Should I Seek Emergency Care For Stomach Pain
If your stomach pain is severe enough that you cant stand or you begin vomiting blood, you should go to the emergency room. The following are some other indicators of when stomach pain may be more serious:
- Fever
- The abdomen is tender when touched
- Coughing up or vomiting blood or green or yellow fluid
- Bloody diarrhea
- Pain the neck, shoulder, or between the shoulder blades
- Inability to have a bowel movement accompanied by vomiting
- The pain lasts for several days
How To Know If Your Abdominal Pain Is Serious
Any abdominal pain could be serious, as the underlying cause may need immediate care. You should seek emergency care if your abdominal pain:
- Comes on suddenly and is severe, especially in the lower right side.
- Comes on suddenly in the lower abdomen on either side, and youre a woman.
- Gets increasingly worse in a short time.
Pain is pain, but if you also have any of these symptoms, you should seek urgent care:
- Abdominal swelling.
- Constipation in spite of urge.
- Diarrhea or loose, watery stool.
- Fever.
- Gas and bloating, or the inability to pass gas.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Radiating or pulsing sensation near the navel.
- Rash.
- Severe pain after eating a fatty meal.
- Weight loss.
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You Have A Foreign Body In Your Body
That depends on where the object is, says Roth. If it’s a splinter or your kid stuck something in his nose, youre likely safe at urgent care. But if you swallowed something or, uh, sat on something, youre likely better off at the ER, as you might require surgery or sedation for removal. Hey, at least you’ll get a great story out of it.