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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Abdominal Pain in Adults Treatment

Call 911 if:

  • You have pain and tenderness to the touch in the lower right abdomen with fever and/or vomiting.  These may be signs of appendicitis.
  • You are pregnant and have abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. This may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

1. Treat Symptoms

  • For heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), take an over-the-counter antacid.
  • For constipation, take a mild stool softener or laxative.
  • For pain, take acetaminophen (Aspirin Free Anacin, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tylenol). Avoid NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin) because they can cause stomach irritation or bleeding.

2. When to Call a Doctor

Seek medical help if the person:

  • Has severe abdominal pain or pain that lasts several days
  • Has nausea, fever, or inability to keep food down for several days
  • Has bloody stools
  • Vomits blood
  • Has difficulty breathing
  • Had an injury to the abdomen in the days before the pain started

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Andrew Chang, MD on March 09, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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