It’s not always easy to figure out when stomach trouble is something to worry about (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Stomach pain is something that affects virtually everyone at some point, but more often than not, it’s something straightforward such as eating something that hasn’t agreed with you, or perhaps a bug that’s been doing the rounds. But in some cases it can be far more serious, so how do you know when stomach pain is something that warrants greater concern? One A&E doctor has outlined exactly when you should seek urgent medical attention.
Dr Ahmed, who boasts more than 500,000 followers on TikTok and describes himself as the “healthcare Gordon Ramsay”, uploaded a video to the platform addressing the matter. Opening his video, he said: “Shut up and listen, this is how you know your stomach pain is something to be worried about or not.”
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Blocked aorta
Dr Ahmed said: “Number one, if you’ve got sudden severe or tearing abdominal pain like Darth Vader has just jabbed you with his lightsabre, yeah, that’s your aorta booking into Hotel Jesus. Come to me before your reservation’s complete.”
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, responsible for pumping blood from the left side of the heart throughout the circulatory system, reports the Mirror. When it becomes blocked, patients may experience pain in the lower body that begins during physical activity and subsides during rest, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
It can also trigger leg pain, erectile dysfunction in males, and in the most severe cases, sores that struggle to heal. Further symptoms include skin that appears paler than usual or feels cold to the touch, pins and needles, or numbness in the legs.
Intestinal obstruction
Dr Ahmed continued: “Number two, if you’re bloating up, haven’t farted for a day, and are throwing up some brown weird stuff now with lots of abdominal pain, yeah buddy, that’s Gandalf in your intestines shouting at poo ‘you shall not pass!’ That’s an intestinal obstruction. Come to me quickly.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most frequent causes of intestinal obstructions include scar tissue developing after abdominal surgery, hernias, or colon cancer. It should be regarded as a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, a general sense of illness, diarrhoea, rapid heartbeat, dark-coloured urine and other indicators of dehydration, and severe constipation. In children, additional symptoms may include fever, blood in the stool, green or yellow-green vomit, lethargy, and a swollen, firm belly.
Peritonitis
Dr Ahmed continued: “Number three, if you’ve got loads of abdominal pain [and] you can’t even stand up straight or even lie straight, you’re walking around like the Hunchback of a Yorkshireman or something like that, that’s peritonitis. Something’s launched a grenade inside your tummy, come to me quickly before you Jesusify.”
Peritonitis is an infection of the inner lining of the stomach, the NHS explains. If left untreated, it can prove life-threatening. It may be triggered by a ruptured stomach ulcer or appendix, digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis, pancreatitis, surgery, an abdominal injury, pelvic inflammatory disease, or cirrhosis.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, an extremely high temperature, feeling hot, cold, or experiencing shivers, a racing heartbeat, passing significantly less urine than usual or none at all, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Those undergoing kidney dialysis treatment may also notice the fluid in their collection bag appears cloudier than usual, or contains white flecks.
Intestinal ischemia
Dr Ahmed said: “And finally, if your pain isn’t that bad, it’s dull, it’s crampy, it’s a bit annoying, but you’re pooping black or reddish blood, buddy, your intestines have already checked out and gone west to Valinor. Come to me quickly, because that might be intestinal ischemia.” Valinor is a location in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Also known as the Undying Lands, it serves as an analogy for the afterlife.
Intestinal ischemia occurs when blood flow to the intestines reduces or ceases, according to the Mayo Clinic. It typically results from a blocked blood vessel or artery, or reduced blood pressure.
Symptoms can include sudden abdominal pain, an urgent need to use the toilet, frequently straining to pass stools, bloating, bloody stools, nausea and vomiting, and mental confusion in older adults. Symptoms which develop more gradually can include stomach pain that worsens over a period of weeks and months, unexplained weight loss, and diarrhoea.
Concluding his video, Dr Ahmed said: “Now tell me, how many of those tick boxes have you crossed out and still got sent home without any investigations?”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
