Patient education: Abdominal pain in adults – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is abdominal pain? — "Abdominal pain" means pain in the abdomen, or belly (figure 1). This is the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis.

Many things can cause abdominal pain. Some are serious things like bleeding or an infection. Less serious things, like an upset stomach, can also cause abdominal pain.

Whether you need specific treatment depends on what is causing your pain.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Keep track of your pain to help your doctor learn more about the cause. Write down what you were doing before and during the pain. If food seems to cause the pain, write down the specific foods you eat.

●Eat small meals more often. Eat more fiber and drink more water if you have constipation (trouble having bowel movements).

●Avoid foods or drinks that make your pain worse. Some people are bothered by:

•Drinks that are fizzy or have caffeine or alcohol

•Fried, greasy, or fatty foods

•Orange juice

•Milk or cheese

●When you have pain, you can:

•Try to have a bowel movement.

•Lie down and rest.

•Avoid solid foods for a few hours. If you are hungry, try liquids like broth or water. When you feel better, try mild foods like rice, crackers, bananas, applesauce, or toast.

●Avoid over-the-counter medicines, such as antacids or laxatives, unless your doctor tells you to.

●Check with your doctor before you take any herbal medicines or supplements.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You have sudden severe belly pain, or the pain is constant.

●You have trouble breathing or chest pain.

●You start vomiting blood or pass a lot of blood in your bowel movements.

●Your belly becomes very hard or swollen.

●You get a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher or shaking chills.

●You have signs of dehydration (severe fluid loss), such as:

•No urine for more than 8 hours

•Feeling very lightheaded, or like you are going to pass out

•Feeling weak, like you are going to fall

●Your pain gets worse, comes more often, or moves to 1 area of the belly.

●Your stools are black or tar colored.

Call your regular doctor if:

●The pain is not gone or is not getting better in 1 to 2 days.

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You develop early signs of fluid loss, such as:

•Dark-colored urine

•Dry mouth

•Muscle cramps

•Having less energy than normal

•Feeling lightheaded when you get up

●You have pain when you urinate or blood in your urine.

●Your bowel movements have a small amount (less than 1 teaspoon or 5 mL) of blood in them.

●You have nausea that isn't getting better, and you are having trouble eating and drinking without vomiting.

●You have any other symptoms that worry you.

More on this topic

Patient education: Abdominal pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Stomach ache and stomach upset (The Basics)
Patient education: Appendicitis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Small bowel obstruction (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Ectopic pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Endometriosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Diverticulitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Peptic ulcers (The Basics)
Patient education: Hiatal hernia (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute pancreatitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Gallstones (The Basics)

Patient education: Diverticular disease (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acute pancreatitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gallstones (Beyond the Basics)