Abdominal Pain

Following a thorough assessment, we feel that you do not need to be admitted to hospital.

Abdominal pain is very common and we often do not find what is causing the pain. Most abdominal pain will settle down over a few days.

Do I need to come back to the Emergency Department?

What should I look out for?

If you develop any of the symptoms below, you should make your way to the Emergency Department if you are able, or alternatively call for an ambulance.

• Very severe abdominal pain
• Pain that goes through to your back
• Shoulder pain
• You become feverish or shivery
• Start vomiting blood or passing blood from your back passage
• For females - bleeding much more heavily than normal from your vagina
• Suffer any fainting or collapse episodes
• Pass black bowel movements

Do I need to come back to the Emergency Department?

What should I look out for?

If you are a man and develop any of the symptoms below, you should make your way to the Emergency Department if you are able, or alternatively, call for an ambulance.

• Very severe abdominal pain
• Pain that goes through to your back
• Shoulder pain
• You become feverish or shivery
• Start vomiting or passing blood from your back passage
• Suffer any fainting or collapse episodes
• Pass black bowel movements

Where can I get more information?

Call 111 when you need medical help fast, but it’s not an emergency,

Or visit: www.nhs.uk/symptomcheckers

UCLH cannot accept responsibility for information provided by external organisations.

Discharge advice

You have been advised initially to go home and rest. You should take simple pain relief medication (always follow the instructions on the packet) or any medicine that the doctor gave you.

If your pain does not settle down, you should go and see your GP.