Urgent care can help with abdominal pain in many different ways, from diagnosis and treatment to providing referrals for further care as needed. When experiencing abdominal pain, visiting urgent care can be an excellent first step, especially since the abdomen contains many organs and potential causes for pain. Abdominal pain can present suddenly or gradually and may worsen over time.

There are several situations where visiting urgent care for abdominal pain is advisable. If the pain is severe, of new onset, or accompanied by additional symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, tenderness, swelling, bloody stools, bruising, a yellowish skin tone, or recent trauma, seeking urgent care is important. Urgent care providers at PrimeHealth Urgent Care will assess your symptoms, review your medical history, and, if necessary, order additional tests to make a diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment to achieve swift and lasting pain relief.

Abdominal pain is typically classified into four types, generalized, localized, cramping, and colicky. Generalized abdominal pain is pain that is felt in more than half of the abdominal area and is often linked to indigestion, stomach viruses, or gas.

Localized pain occurs in a specific area of the abdomen and usually results from an issue with an organ, such as the appendix, stomach, or gallbladder. Cramping is another type of abdominal pain that often presents intermittently and can vary in its degree of severity. It is usually associated with gas, menstruation, or passing a stool.

Colicky pain is characterized by sudden onset and severe intensity, often linked to conditions like kidney stones or gallstones. Determining the exact type of abdominal pain can be challenging, so consulting an urgent care provider can help diagnose and address the pain accurately.

Determining the seriousness of abdominal pain should involve consulting a healthcare provider like those at PrimeHealth Urgent Care for an accurate assessment and diagnosis. Patients do not need to wait until the presenting pain is debilitating or severe symptoms arise before seeking medical attention.

However, some signs can indicate that abdominal pain is serious and requires urgent care. Serious abdominal pain may result from a threatening underlying condition, an injury, or other causes. If you experience severe presentations of pain or pain that doesn’t improve within a few days, it’s important to visit an urgent care center. Other concerning symptoms include blood in the urine, painful urination, diarrhea lasting more than five days, nausea, discomfort while eating, loss of appetite, fever lasting more than three days or reaching above 100 degrees, and any additional symptoms accompanying abdominal pain. These signs often suggest a more serious cause that needs medical attention.

Reducing abdominal pain often depends on the type and cause of the pain. Seeking medical care is the best course of action to get treatment and guidance on at-home remedies and lifestyle changes. For more mild abdominal pain, some general steps can help ease discomfort.

Avoiding solid foods for the first two hours and sipping water regularly can be beneficial. Eating smaller meals more frequently, eliminating gas-producing foods, and ensuring meals are high in fiber with plenty of fruits and vegetables can also help. Maintaining overall health through regular exercise can prevent certain types of abdominal pain.

Antacids may help with some forms of pain, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and greasy foods can be beneficial. If vomiting accompanies the pain, mild foods like crackers or rice and avoiding dairy products can help when resuming eating after about six hours. It’s important to avoid using medications without consulting a healthcare provider.

Additionally, using a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen can provide relief, but a towel should be placed under the pad to protect the skin.

Visiting an urgent care center such as PrimeHealth Urgent Care is often the best course of action for helping patients achieve swift and lasting relief from abdominal pain while ruling out more serious concerns.

Urgent care treatment for different types of abdominal pain is available at PrimeHealth Urgent Care. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online now! We serve patients from Parrish FL, Bradenton FL, Sarasota FL, Lehigh Acres FL, West Bradenton FL, Estero FL, Ellenton FL, Port Charlotte FL, Palmetto FL, Lakewood Ranch FL, Foxleigh FL, Venice FL, Fruitville FL, Wimauma FL, Balm FL, Fort Myers FL, Westminster FL, El Dorado Acres FL, Cascades FL, West Samoset FL, Memphis FL, Harbour Heights FL, Murdock FL, and surrounding cities.