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 after getting hit in the abdomen (belly). The medical term for this is "blunt abdominal trauma." It can happen when the belly is hit during an accident, fall, or assault.
The doctors think it is safe for you to recover at home. How long it will take for you to heal depends on how serious your injuries are, your overall health, and how you respond to treatment.
Sometimes, symptoms of serious injuries do not show up right away and instead happen days or even weeks later. It's important to watch for the problems listed below.
You might be waiting on 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 do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●When you take deep breaths, sneeze, cough, or laugh, hold a pillow against your belly to ease pain.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). If the doctor says it's safe, you can take ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve) as well.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling. Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your belly every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your belly becomes very hard or swollen.
•The pain in your belly suddenly gets worse or gets very bad.
•You vomit blood.
•Your bowel movements have a large amount (more than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) of blood in them.
•You have trouble breathing or severe chest pain.
●Return to the ED if:
•You have new or worse belly or chest pain.
•You feel weak or lightheaded, or you faint.
•You are unsteady when you walk.
•You become confused.
•Your urine is bloody.
•Your bowel movements have a small amount (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) of blood in them.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Still have belly pain after taking pain medicines
●Have nausea or vomiting
●Have new or worsening symptoms
