[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/when-is-stomach-pain-serious\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/when-is-stomach-pain-serious\/","headline":"When Should You Seek Care for Stomach Pain?","name":"When Should You Seek Care for Stomach Pain?","description":"Here are some basic guidelines to help you know when a stomach ache is an emergency.","datePublished":"2017-06-23","dateModified":"2023-02-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/emergency-medicine","name":"Trauma & Emergency Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/emergency-medicine","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/trauma-emergency-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/BLG_CRAMP.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/BLG_CRAMP.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/when-is-stomach-pain-serious\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":257,"keywords":["abdominal pain","emergency care","stomach ache","urgent care"],"articleBody":"Stabbing, throbbing, aching, or turning. Stomach pain comes in a few varieties. When is it time to seek medical attention for severe stomach pain, and when can you handle it at home?If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.The abdomen holds several different organs, and any one may be the source of your pain, making it difficult to pinpoint a cause. Here are some basic guidelines to help you know when a stomach ache is an emergency.RELATED:\u00a05 Signs You Should Talk to Your Doctor About HeartburnSigns You Should Seek Care for Stomach or Abdominal PainSudden, severe painGo the emergency room if you have severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly and lasts for more than a few minutes.Pain that gradually increases in severitySee a doctor if you feel pain that is localized to one area of your abdomen, particularly if that pain increases over time.Vomiting blood or passing bloody or tar-like stoolThese symptoms, especially when accompanied by abdominal pain, require immediate attention.Abdominal pain accompanied by chest, shoulder, or neck painThese symptoms may indicate a heart attack and require immediate treatment at an emergency department.For help finding immediate care near you, visit\u00a0UPMC CareFinder. Locate a UPMC Emergency Department, UPMC Urgent Care, Walk-in Primary Care, or Children\u2019s Express Care that\u2019s close to you. You can also receive an online medical visit with UPMC AnywhereCare. No appointment is needed.Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on June 23, 2017, and was last reviewed on February 7, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"When Should You Seek Care for Stomach Pain?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/when-is-stomach-pain-serious\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]