When to see a doctor

Call 911 or emergency medical assistance

Seek help if your abdominal pain is severe and is associated with:

• Trauma, such as an accident or injury
• Pressure or pain in your chest

Seek immediate medical attention

Have someone drive you to urgent care or the emergency room if you have:

• Severe pain
• Fever
• Bloody stools
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Skin that appears yellow
• Severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen
• Swelling of the abdomen

Schedule a doctor's visit

Make an appointment with your doctor if your abdominal pain worries you or lasts more than a few days.

In the meantime, find ways to ease your pain. For instance, eat smaller meals if your pain is accompanied by indigestion. Avoid taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) because these can cause stomach irritation that may worsen abdominal pain.