Abdominal pain — or stomach pain — can leave you feeling nauseous, fatigued and without an appetite, making it hard to carry on with daily life. When it is caused by something as simple as mild indigestion, the stomach flu or spoiled food, it is often uncomfortable, but manageable at home. However, stomach pain can also be a warning sign of more serious conditions like an infection, appendicitis, kidney stones or pelvic disease.

So, how do you know when stomach pain requires a trip to the doctor, urgent care, or even the emergency room? Understanding the possible causes of stomach pain is the first step but knowing where to seek care is just as important. In this blog we break down your options for care when experiencing abdominal pain or gastrointestinal issues.

Types and Causes of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be classified into four types: 

  1. Acute – lasting up to 1 week or less
  2. Chronic – lasting at least 3 months
  3. Progressive – worsens over time, often accompanied by other symptoms
  4. Intermittent – pain that comes and goes  

Acute or short-term abdominal pain typically resolves on its own within a few days and can include:

  • Indigestion  
  • Heartburn  
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Ovulation  
  • Stress

Chronic abdominal pain can have many causes that requires diagnosis and treatment by a health care provider, such as:

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Gastritis
  • Acid reflux
  • Celiac disease
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Endometriosis
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome

Sometimes, abdominal pain can be a symptom of a serious condition, like:

  • Liver disease
  • Gallstones
  • Cancer
  • Kidney infection
  • Large bowel obstruction
  • Pancreatitis
  • Stomach ulcer
  • Appendicitis

Keep reading to learn more about your options for care. Anyone who thinks they're having a medical emergency should not hesitate to seek care.

At-Home Care

For the most part, mild stomach pain can be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies. Antacids, like Pepto-Bismol or Tums, may help ease pain from indigestion. If you find that certain foods give you heartburn or acid reflux, try eliminating them to see if the pain goes away. Fluids with electrolytes, like Gatorade or Powerade can help replenish nutrients if you are suffering from diarrhea or vomiting. Lastly, make sure you rest while you are feeling ill to help your body recover.  

Primary Care Provider

If you don’t know what is causing the pain, it doesn’t improve with at-home treatment and/or lasts longer than a week, your next step should be contacting your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP can perform a physical exam and check your vital signs, including your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

Primary care providers can diagnose a range of digestive issues, including celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. They can also diagnose other causes of abdominal pain like gastroesophageal reflux, urinary tract infections and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Many of these conditions can present similar symptoms and require specific testing to determine the underlying cause. And, if needed, your PCP can refer you to a specialist who specializes in the digestive system, such as a gastroenterologist, or the reproductive system, such as an Obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN).

Telehealth

If your pain occurs outside of your provider’s normal hours, you may be able to connect with a board-certified provider virtually. Compass Rose Health Plan members have access to virtual visits though Doctor On Demand®. Doctor On Demand is available 7 days a week and their providers can prescribe medications just like your PCP can. They can diagnose and treat mild conditions that can cause abdominal pain, including acid reflux, diarrhea and urinary tract infections.

Urgent Care

Go to an urgent care if your pain is increasing and lasts for several days, accompanied by fever, bloody urine or stools, or if you are unable to keep food down. Urgent care centers often have shorter wait times for care and are more cost-effective than going to the emergency room. If you are unsure if you should go to urgent care, you can call your PCP first to get advice. Go to urgent care if your PCP is closed and your pain is not severe enough for a trip to the ER.

Emergency Room

If you feel your stomach pain is life-threatening, do not hesitate. Seek urgent medical attention if your pain lasts for several days, or if you experience: 

  • Sudden, severe onset pain
  • Inability to keep down food
  • Fever
  • Blood in your urine, stool or vomit
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Pain in your lower right stomach, which may be a sign of appendicitis (more on that below)

Sometimes heart disease or a heart attack can present itself with nausea or pain in the upper abdomen under the rib cage, so it’s important to get care fast. 

If you recently underwent surgery, abdominal pain may indicate something more serious. Do not wait to seek care if you experience discomfort after surgery.

Could it be Appendicitis?  

You may be familiar with the term appendicitis from TV shows or movies where someone, often a child, becomes ill with stomach pain and is rushed to the hospital. This can lead many to believe that appendicitis is common and the only source of stomach pain. However, appendicitis only occurs in 1 in 20 people in the U.S., mostly in males between ages 10 and 30. 

While appendicitis may not be the cause of every bout of abdominal discomfort, it’s important to understand its symptoms so you know what to look out for.  

There are two types of appendicitis:   

  1. Acute appendicitis, which is the most common type. The symptoms usually start quickly and worsen within a few hours.
  2. Chronic appendicitis, meaning the appendix is inflamed but stable and doesn’t get worse. This can be harder to diagnose but is not as common as acute appendicitis.

Symptoms of appendicitis include:

  • Severe pain, usually in the lower right abdomen
  • Swollen stomach
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever over 99 F

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a medical professional right away. Treatment for appendicitis requires surgery to remove the appendix, which is why it’s crucial to get a prompt diagnosis.

Because there are so many causes for abdominal pain it can be hard to diagnose on your own. If your pain is severe, unbearable and/or accompanied by other serious symptoms listed above, go to the ER. If your pain is mild and unexplained, the first place to start is your primary care provider.

Treatment for abdominal pain will depend on the underlying cause. A healthcare professional can help develop the best treatment plan for you, which may include medications to help manage your symptoms.

To learn more about your options for care — including costs and coverage under the Compass Rose Health Plan — access our Care Options Guide. 

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a healthcare professional. 

Last Updated: October 25, 2024.