Diagram 12: Bending over with severe abdominal pain.
Step 1 ask these questions:
Location of the pain: Is it all over the belly or always in one spot?
Type of pain: Does it feel dull, sharp, crampy, steady, or like pressure?
Movement of pain from one place to another: Does the pain move to the back, chest, groin, right side, or left side?
Time: When did the pain start?
Intensity of pain: Is it mild or moderate pain or the worst pain you have felt?
Temperature: Is there a fever?
What: Anything that makes the pain better or worse? For example, food, sitting to standing, medications, lying still versus moving about, or having a bowel movement?
Communicate: Then call your doctor and describe the pain.
Step 2 for only mild pain:
Try sips of clear fluids (water, broth, fruit juice with half water) and gentle foods (saltine crackers, dry toast, rice, and applesauce).
Step 3 for pain that is worsening or severe:
Do not eat or drink, and do not take any medications. Avoid laxatives and enemas.
Step 4 seek emergency medical help or call 911 for the following symptoms:
Severe pain or pain that is quickly getting much worse.
A swollen or hard abdomen/belly, groin, or testicle.
Pain with a light touch on the abdomen.
Bending over and holding abdomen/belly. (Diagram 12)
Blood in bowel movements/stools or urine/pee.
Suspect a poison was swallowed.
Injury directly to the abdomen/belly, like a car accident or a fall.
