If you have a stomachache, don’t just bear it! Beware of the “danger signal” of disease. The sooner you know, the better!

Recently, the 120 Emergency Center of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) received a call for help from a 36-year-old female patient.

The patient complained of right-side waist and abdominal pain for several hours, and the symptoms persisted without relief, so he called 120 for help. When the medical staff arrived at the scene, the patient had difficulty walking due to the pain, was agitated, and had no one to accompany him. After the medical staff helped the patient to the ambulance, the patient immediately asked for painkillers. The medical staff conducted a detailed physical examination while calming the patient, and explained that painkillers should not be used casually for abdominal pain. Intravenous access was immediately established. It was initially diagnosed as urinary stones, and Chinese medicine acupressure was given to relieve the pain. The patient was sent to the hospital as quickly as possible.

Li Xionghui, chief physician and head of the hospital's 120 emergency center, said that almost everyone has experienced abdominal pain, but some abdominal pain may be a "danger signal" of disease. Learning to make quick judgments and handle them correctly can prevent the disease from getting worse and even save lives.

1. Remember: Call 120 immediately in these situations

1. The pain is so severe that you break out in a cold sweat, cannot stand straight, and may even cause your face to turn pale and your hands and feet to become cold.

2. My stomach is as hard as a board and it hurts a lot if I touch it lightly.

3. Accompanied by high fever (＞39℃), vomiting blood, bloody stool or black stool.

4. Pregnant women, the elderly, and children experience sudden and severe abdominal pain.

5. Abdominal pain after injury (such as falling or impact).

2. Identification and treatment of 4 common abdominal pain

1. Acute gastroenteritis

Symptoms: Upper abdominal/navel cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea.

Response: Drink a small amount of light salt water to prevent dehydration, fast temporarily, and apply hot compress to relieve the symptoms.

2. Acute appendicitis

Symptoms: The pain moves from the navel to the right lower abdomen, and the pain worsens with pressure.

Response: Do not eat or drink, avoid hot compresses, and seek medical attention immediately.

3. Acute gallstones/cholecystitis

Symptoms: Severe pain in the right upper abdomen radiating to the right shoulder, possibly accompanied by jaundice.

Response: Lie on your side to relieve pain, avoid greasy food, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

4. Urinary stones

Symptoms: Colic in the lower back and back radiating to the perineum, hematuria.

Response: Drink more water to help expel stones. If the pain is severe, seek emergency medical attention.

3. 5-step method for pre-hospital emergency treatment

1. Don’t move around

In severe pain, lie flat or on your side (to prevent vomiting and choking) and reduce activity.

2. Fasting and no drinking

Avoid aggravating the condition (especially suspected gastrointestinal perforation or intestinal obstruction).

3. Don’t take medicine casually

Painkillers (such as ibuprofen): may mask the condition and delay rescue.

Antidiarrheal drugs: If it is intestinal obstruction, it will increase the danger.

4. Record your symptoms

Where does it hurt? How does it hurt? (e.g., knife-like pain, distending pain, cramping pain)

Any vomiting/diarrhea/fever? When was the last bowel movement?

5. Preparation for medical treatment

Bring your medical insurance card, recent medical records, and medications you are currently taking.

Comatose patients need to clear foreign objects from their mouths and keep their airways open.

4. People who need special attention

1. Abdominal pain in children

May not express themselves, and may cry, curl up, or refuse to eat.

2. Abdominal pain in the elderly

The pain is not obvious, but the condition is more dangerous (such as myocardial infarction, mesenteric embolism).

3. Abdominal pain in pregnant women

Regardless of whether there is bleeding or not, seek medical attention immediately (beware of miscarriage and placental abruption).

5. Avoid these misunderstandings

Myth 1: Heat can relieve all abdominal pain

Hot compresses for internal bleeding and appendicitis will aggravate inflammation.

Myth 2: Drinking hot water can cure stomachache

Drinking water in the event of gastrointestinal perforation or intestinal obstruction may be fatal.

Myth 3: Diarrhea means eating something bad

Myocardial infarction and diabetic ketoacidosis may also present as abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Experts advise

Chief Physician Li Xionghui reminds: Abdominal pain is no small matter. The key is to look at three points: the degree of pain, the accompanying symptoms, and the duration. When you are unsure, it is better to seek medical attention in time rather than blindly bear it. Keep oral rehydration salts at home and drink them when you have diarrhea to prevent dehydration; have regular physical examinations, especially to check for liver and gallbladder and gastrointestinal diseases.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Wang Boguo, 120 Emergency Center, Hunan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

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(Edited by YT)