It would be a dream for many people to have a 24-hour doctor they could call to get advice about the slightest physical ailment. However, the vast majority of society believes that this kind of care doesn’t exist, so they must think long and hard before visiting an emergency room. After all, no one wants to pay a massive bill just to find out that the abdominal pain they have is a result of a little gas.

But how do you know when stomach pain is something you should worry about? The pain can frequently feel unspecific, and that may lead you to dismiss conditions that are far more serious than a little indigestion. When you’re experiencing abdominal pain, here are some of the critical things you should keep an eye out for:

Blood in Your Stool

Stomach pain by itself could be a bit of gas, a little indigestion, or even a small infection that will resolve itself in a few days. When that pain is accompanied by blood when you use the toilet, then it’s a different story entirely.

Blood in your stool is one of the first signs that something is wrong in your gastrointestinal tract. It could be a more straightforward issue – like hemorrhoids – or as severe as colon cancer. For that reason, when you see blood, it’s time to check with your doctor about what tests might need to be done.

Fever, Nausea, and Vomiting

Similar to seeing blood when you go to the bathroom, if your abdominal pain is accompanied by symptoms like fever, nausea, and vomiting, then something out of the norm is probably happening that needs to be addressed.

There are a variety of conditions and diseases that could be causing fevers, nausea, and vomiting, so it’s essential to rule them out with a medical professional’s help. However, they need to be addressed because they are signs that your body is attempting to fight off an infection that requires a significant and stressful response.

When It’s Out of the Ordinary

Admittedly, if abdominal pain were entirely “normal,” then no one would be concerned by its presence or have any reason to think much of their symptoms. However, the reality is that you know your body better than anyone, and when something doesn’t feel right, you want to get it checked out. Sometimes, it could be just a feeling that something’s out of the ordinary; other times, it could be pain that persists for longer than it has in the past. In both cases, you should try to find out as much information as you can so you can get the care you need.

To find out more about what symptoms to look out for when you’re experiencing abdominal pain, or find out how much an appointment to see a primary care physician online costs, call Breezefast Medical today!