Tag Archives: stomach pain

Do You Know the Warning Signs of Appendicitis?

Leave a reply

young woman sitting on edge of bed, clutching stomach due to abdominal painAbdominal pain is a common symptom that people usually ignore. Considering all the delicious food that summer offers, it is hard to distinguish indigestion from anything serious. However, abdominal pain is a warning sign for many serious conditions, including appendicitis. At Highland Park Emergency Room, we know how important it is to diagnose appendicitis quickly in order to avoid ugly complications, including peritonitis and death.

Appendicitis Warning Signs

Appendicitis happens when your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. As a result, the appendix will continue to swell and can rupture, which can be fatal. Knowing the symptoms of this condition can help you seek medical care quickly to avoid any complications.

Abdominal pain

>Abdominal pain can mean a lot of different things. It can be caused by a simple stomach ache, muscle soreness, and any number of things. Typically, the abdominal pain associated with appendicitis is a dull pain near the belly button or upper abdomen. The pain becomes sharper as it moves to the lower right abdomen.

Loss of Appetite

If you have abdominal pain but you still have an appetite, chances are you do not have appendicitis. People suffering from appendicitis lose their appetite. The pain can be so debilitating that a meal is the last thing on your name.

Nausea

The pain from >appendicitis can also cause nausea and/or vomiting. If you do vomit, you might not feel any relief because, unlike a regular stomachache, appendicitis is a lot more serious.

Fever

Along with other symptoms, a fever can occur. If you have other symptoms point to appendicitis and a temperature above 99 degrees, then appendicitis could be the cause of your pain.

Inability to pass gas

Appendicitis pain, from abdominal pain to a fever, can feel ceaseless. An indicator that something is more than just abdominal pain or a sour stomach will be an inability to pass gas. With the inability to pass gas, it’s virtually impossible to feel any kind of relief.girl holding onto stomach with both hands due to abdominal pain

No one symptom is a telltale sign of appendicitis. If you live in the Dallas area, have one or more of these symptoms and think that it might be attributed to appendicitis, stop by or call Highland Park Emergency Room today. Contact us today!

Is it Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?

Leave a reply

Young woman suffering from food poisoning or the stomach flu, vomiting into the toilet bowl If you are vomiting, you need to determine if you have a stomach flu or if you have food poisoning. Determining what the cause of your vomiting is can help a doctor to identify what treatment, if any, you should undergo.  When you are feeling nauseous and ill, it is also important to get medical help so you can be kept hydrated and watched for signs of complications. These are usually common symptoms that bring people into an emergency room. At Highland Park Emergency Room, our emergency medical professionals are available at all times to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning

Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by a parasite, virus, or bacteria. When you have the stomach flu, it is often accompanied by:

  • fever
  • chills
  • aches
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea

Other symptoms can also occur. Food poisoning can have very similar symptoms to stomach flu, although a fever, headaches, and muscle aches are more likely to be signs of the flu than food view of woman's abdomen, in a sweater and blue t-shirt, clutching her stomach in an attempt to prevent vomitingpoisoning.  By contrast, physical pain in the belly is more likely to be caused by food poisoning than by stomach flu. Either way, vomiting can result in dehydration, complicating your condition.

Address Your Vomiting Symptoms

It is imperative that you go to a doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, if your stomach pain is severe, if you are throwing up blood, if you cannot drink or eat, or if symptoms persist. A doctor may run blood tests, urine tests, and take fecal samples, among other diagnostic tools. The goal is to find out if you have food poisoning or the flu and to identify the pathogens that are making you sick so you can be treated correctly. Highland Park Emergency Room have emergency board certified doctors available 24/7, including holidays, to provide treatment. Contact us to find out more today.

Is it a Cramp or Something Worse?

Leave a reply

close up of a torso of a person experiencing abdominal pain

Abdominal pain could be caused by cramps, and can sometimes be a minor inconvenience that goes away on its own. Sometimes, however, abdominal pain is a sign of a very serious condition like appendicitis.  Effectively self-diagnosing your abdominal pain is difficult because you may be unable to tell exactly what the cause of the discomfort is. Don’t take a chance on your pain going undiagnosed if it could be something serious. If you are in the Dallas area, visit Highland Park Emergency Room to get help.

Causes of Abdominal Pain

Common causes of abdominal pain that can require an ER visit include:

  • food poisoning
  • viral gastroenteritis, which is also called the flu
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • menstrual cramps
  • acid reflux
  • urinary tract infections
  • indigestion; gallstones
  • endometriosis
  • appendicitis Female having abdominal pain. Abdomen bloating concept.

You should look for other symptoms that could help  a doctor shed more light on what the cause of your abdominal pain is. You should also consider whether you may have eaten anything contaminated or been exposed to the flu.  You can share this information with a medical care provider when you seek a full diagnosis of your condition.

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain

Deciding when to go to the doctor is a challenge, especially if you have limited or no insurance coverage and if you are worried about having a long wait when you seek medical help. Waiting too long to get help can be detrimental to your health though, so you want to get medical help in a timely manner. The good news is, care is available at  Highland Park Emergency Room for affordable prices. Treatment is provided by qualified professionals, and you should be able to get an accurate diagnosis and get on the road to recovery quickly. Contact us today for more information.