Over 50? Keeping Up With Your Healthcare Needs

Over 50? Keeping Up With Your Healthcare Needs

How To Know When A Tummy Ache Needs Medical Attention

Nellie Ryan

When most people think about stomach pain and discomfort, they think about stomach aches that come and go quickly, are associated with a minor stomach bug, or that are generally not that big of a deal. However, just like any other pain in your body, stomach pain sometimes demands medical attention. Get to know some of the ways that you can tell your stomach pain needs medical attention. Then, you can be sure you are taking the best possible care of your health going forward. 

You Also Have a High Fever

One of the main ways to tell that you need to go to the doctor or hospital when you have abdominal pain is whether or not that pain is accompanied by a fever. When you have significant abdominal pain, take your temperature. If you have a fever of 101 degrees or higher, then you need to head to the hospital right away. 

Abdominal pain accompanied by a high fever can be a sign of appendicitis or other serious infections like urinary tract infections, gallbladder problems and more. It is better to go to the doctor or hospital to be checked out than to have your appendix burst or continue to let other infections get worse. 

Your Pain Prevents You From Eating

If you have abdominal pain that is so severe you cannot eat or it becomes especially painful after you eat, then you should seek out medical treatment. While some people are unable to eat with a basic stomach bug, these viruses usually pass within a few days and some eating (even if it is just soup or other "sick foods") is possible. 

When you have abdominal pain that prevents you from eating entirely for more than two or three days, you will need to get medical care. This could be signs of an obstruction in your bowels, severe ulcers, or other major issues that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

Your Pain Settles on the Right Side

There are certain areas of your abdomen in which experiencing pain can be a sign of serious trouble. The biggest area of concern is the right side of your abdomen. If you have pain that eventually settles in the right lower abdomen, for example, this is likely a problem with your appendix which requires immediate medical care and treatment.

On the other hand, when your pain settles in the upper right abdomen, it could be a sign of a few issues. The liver sits in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen as does the gallbladder. Pain centralized in those areas could be signs of infections or irritation and inflammation to either of these organs. 

Now that you know some of the signs that your stomach ache requires medical attention, you can be sure that you are doing what is best for your health the next time you experience abdominal pain. Contact a clinic, like Peninsula Community Health Services- Medical (Cottonwood), for more help.


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About Me
Over 50? Keeping Up With Your Healthcare Needs

As an adult in my 50s, I find that my body isn't as strong as it used to be. But I don't let that stop me from enjoying life! In fact, I make every effort to get the treatments I need from my doctor to improve my health. I know that I'm not a senior yet, but I do all I can to prevent the health problems that affect that age group. Because of this, I put together a health blog for people over age 50. My blog isn't a review of what you can easily find on the Internet. It's a plethora of unique information designed to help you find the services you need fast. What my blog doesn't do is tell you what to do for your health. Instead, it offers guidance and options. Please, enjoy the blog and happy reading.

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