Abdominal Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

Abdominal pains have numerous causes, ranging from mild to severe. For instance, you could develop a stomachache due to indigestion, or it might be caused by appendicitis. Fortunately, it’s easy to know if it’s an emergency after evaluating your systems.

With five locations, Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care makes it easy to get the care you need. First, we will diagnose the cause of the discomfort and then develop a treatment plan. Since we have diagnostic tools, an onsite laboratory and ER-trained physicians, you can receive the diagnosis and treatment in one spot with our facility.

When to Go to the ER for Abdominal Pain

You should visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care immediately if you experience discomfort that’s accompanied by:

  • Difficulty standing 
  • Bleeding during pregnancy
  • A fever of 102.1 degrees Fahrenheit or higher 
  • Chest tightness or shortness of breath
  • Vomiting and chest pain
  • Faintness or loss of consciousness

In addition, go to our urgent care and ER facility if you:

  • Have a history of heart attacks or strokes
  • Are recovering from abdominal surgery
  • Just underwent an endoscopy or colonoscopy

Lower Abdominal Pain Causes

Many people come to the ER with lower abdominal pain. This could be due to:

  • Appendicitis
  • Diverticulitis
  • Gynecological issues
  • Hernias
  • Tumors
  • Constipation
  • Gastrointestinal issues

Gastrointestinal Issues and Stomach Discomfort

If you have abdominal pain and bloating, it’s likely due to gastrointestinal issues. Your primary care provider can help you address the problems to alleviate your symptoms. On the other hand, if you have abdominal pain and diarrhea, it might be stomach flu or bacterial infection. In this instance, you can contact your primary care provider or go to the emergency room if your symptoms are severe.  

Abdominal pain after eating is another common condition, and it can be a sign of something serious, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, a peptic ulcer or appendicitis. In this case, you will need to go to the emergency room.

Right-sided Abdominal Pain Causes

If you are experiencing discomfort on the right side of your stomach, you likely want to know the cause. As with other symptoms, it might be something minor or significant. Some mild causes include gas and indigestion. However, it can be more serious. You could have:

  • Appendicitis
  • Hernia
  • Pelvic condition
  • Kidney or liver problems
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Testicular torsion

If you have a virus or gastrointestinal issues, you can likely treat the condition at home or get help from your primary care provider. However, don’t wait for an appointment if you have abdominal pain and high fever, are vomiting, or experiencing another symptom that indicates a serious condition.


Instead, head directly to Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care. After diagnosing your condition, we can provide treatment so you will begin feeling better quickly. Also, quick treatment can prevent the condition from developing into something more serious.

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care now has five locations open in Carmel, Fishers, West Carmel/Zionsville, Westfield Hospital and Noblesville Hospital.