Stomach pain can come from many things, and most of them are not an emergency. Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches treats abdominal and stomach pain at all three locations, with on-site labs and imaging to help find the cause in one visit. Walk in seven days a week, no appointment needed.
However, while this is generally a good thing, it may also make it difficult to determine when it’s time to see a doctor for your abdominal pain. This is because your pain level does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition causing it. In this blog post, your trusted provider of Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches shares the basics of abdominal pain that you need to be aware of.
Many major organs are situated in the abdomen: the small and large intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix, spleen, and kidneys. Often, an inflammation or disease of any of these organs causes abdominal pain.
When you come in for urgent care due to abdominal pain, one of the first things the medical team will try to find out is the type of pain you are experiencing. By finding this out, they may then determine the possible cause of the pain. This also gives them a starting point for tests and treatments. The most common types of abdominal pain can be described in the following ways:
There are a number of conditions that can cause abdominal pain. However, the main causes are:
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.
Your provider asks about your symptoms and examines your abdomen, then uses on-site urine tests, blood work, and X-ray as needed. Many patients leave with a diagnosis and a treatment plan the same day. If your pain points to something that needs a specialist or a hospital, we help you get there quickly.
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.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or a combination of any of those symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. However, it’s wise to pay extra attention to your health and such symptoms at this time. For your peace of mind and safety, it’s best to undergo COVID-19 testing in Palm Beach.
For instance, you might feel severe abdominal pain and cramps due to stomach flu, food poisoning, or even gas, which are all easily treatable especially when attended to immediately. These conditions may even resolve themselves given enough time.
On the other hand, there are more serious and life-threatening conditions, such as appendicitis, that may only cause mild to moderate abdominal discomfort. In some cases, these conditions do not cause any pain at all at their early stages and will only manifest themselves when they’ve already progressed.
Additionally, people describe abdominal pain in different ways. Sometimes, abdominal pain occurs at certain times, such as after meals or at night. All of these details about your abdominal pain provide doctors and medical professionals with important clues about the cause of your abdominal pain.
Some symptoms need emergency care, not urgent care. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you have severe or sudden pain, a rigid or very tender abdomen, pain with chest pressure or trouble breathing, blood in your vomit or stool, a high fever with belly pain, or pain during pregnancy. When you are not sure, call us and we will help you decide where to go.
The key is to know when you need to get immediate medical care, such as at an urgent care center or a hospital emergency room. Sometimes you may only need to call an urgent care center about abdominal pain if the pain is not extreme.
A nurse or doctor can tell you more about what steps to take next, including home care, such as sipping water and other clear fluids. Seek medical attention for abdominal pain that occurs often, lasts more than 24 hours or is accompanied by a fever.
If you or your loved one is experiencing abdominal pain and other symptoms that are causing you worry, discomfort, or inexplicable pain, it’s best that you seek immediate medical care. Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches provides excellent healthcare without the wait, serving you at one of our three convenient locations:
We also offer COVID-19 testing, including rapid COVID testing, to help rule out COVID-19 or determine whether your symptoms may be due to it.
For more information about our medical services, contact us. You may also schedule an appointment online.
Walk-ins Welcome | Cash Accepted | Quick Service & Great Reviews
11951 US Highway 1 Suite 108,
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
5818 South Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
3537 Forest Hill Boulevard,
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
