Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for abdominal or belly pain. The doctor thinks your belly pain is likely not caused by something serious.
Many things can cause belly pain. Some are serious, like bleeding or an infection. Less serious things, like an upset stomach, can also cause belly pain.
The doctors might not find all serious causes of belly pain the first time they see you. It is important to follow up with your doctor. You might be waiting on some test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Keep a diary about your pain to help your doctor learn more about the cause. Write down the foods you eat to see if they might be causing your pain. Also write down what you were doing before and during the pain.
●Eat small meals more often. If you are having hard bowel movements, eat more fiber and drink more water.
●Avoid foods or drinks that make your pain worse. Some people are bothered by:
•Drinks that are fizzy or have caffeine
•Alcohol
•Fried, greasy, or fatty foods
•Orange juice
•Milk or other dairy products, like cheese
●When you have pain, you can:
•Try to have a bowel movement.
•Lie down, and rest.
•Avoid solid foods for a few hours. If you are hungry, try liquids like broth or water. When you feel better, try mild foods like rice, crackers, bananas, applesauce, or toast.
●Don't take over-the-counter medicines, such as antacids or laxatives, unless the doctor tells you to.
●Check with the doctor before you take any herbal medicines or supplements.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You have sudden severe belly pain, or the pain is constant.
•You have trouble breathing or chest pain along with your belly pain.
•You start vomiting blood or pass a lot of blood in your bowel movements.
•Your belly becomes very hard or swollen.
•You get a fever 102.2°F (39°C) or higher, or shaking chills.
●Return to the ED if:
•You have signs of severe fluid loss, such as:
-No urine for more than 8 hours
-Feeling very lightheaded or like you are going to pass out
-Feeling weak, like you are going to fall
•Your pain gets worse, comes more often, or moves to 1 area of the belly.
•You have nausea or vomiting that isn't getting better, and are having trouble keeping down food and drink.
•Your bowel movements are black or tar colored.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●The pain is not gone or getting better in 1 to 2 days.
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You develop early signs of fluid loss, such as:
•Your urine is very dark colored.
•Your mouth is dry.
•You have muscle cramps.
•You are tired.
•You feel lightheaded when you get up.
●You have pain with passing urine, or have blood in your urine.
●Your bowel movements have a little (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) blood in them.
●You feel like something is not right in your belly.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
