[47F] Experiencing severe abdominal pain with fever and nausea

Patient Description

A 47-year-old female presents with a two-week history of sharp, piercing abdominal pain, rated 10/10 in severity, located centrally behind the belly button and extending across from left to right. Over the past four days, the pain has become more consistent. Accompanying symptoms include fever, nausea, and altered bowel habits, characterized by dark, hard stools despite taking a stool softener. The patient reports an inability to eat or drink, but no unintentional weight loss, blood in stool, or lightheadedness. There is no known medical history of chronic illnesses or allergies, and the patient is not on any medications.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, you may be experiencing:

  • Appendicitis: This is an inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine. Symptoms often include sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever. However, your pain seems to be more generalized across your abdomen, which is less typical for appendicitis.

    • Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the appendix.
  • Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to a viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

    • Treatment usually involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies. Antibiotics may be needed if the cause is bacterial.
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease: This is a condition where painful sores or ulcers develop in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). Symptoms can include burning stomach pain, feeling of fullness, bloating, fatty food intolerance, heartburn, and nausea.

    • Treatment usually involves medication to decrease stomach acid. If an infection with a bacterium called H. pylori is present, antibiotics will also be needed.
  • Gallstones: These are hard deposits in the gallbladder that can cause abdominal pain. The pain is often severe and located in the upper right part of the abdomen.

    • Treatment may involve medication to dissolve the gallstones or surgery to remove the gallbladder.
  • Pancreatitis: This is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain often radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

    • Treatment usually involves hospitalization for intravenous fluids, pain control, and sometimes surgery.

Please remember that this is not an exhaustive list and other conditions could also explain your symptoms.

What you can do

Given the severity and duration of your symptoms, it's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you haven't already, please contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency department.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • The pain becomes more severe or spreads to your back
  • You start vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
  • You feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint
  • Your abdomen is hard, swollen, or tender to touch
  • You are unable to pass stool or gas

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've provided. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your condition in person.

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11 mo ago

People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of appendicitis?

Common symptoms of appendicitis include sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The pain often starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right side.


How can gastroenteritis be distinguished from other abdominal conditions?

Gastroenteritis is often characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and can be distinguished from other conditions by the presence of diarrhea and the rapid onset of symptoms.


What are the typical signs of peptic ulcer disease?

Typical signs of peptic ulcer disease include burning stomach pain, feeling of fullness, bloating, fatty food intolerance, heartburn, and nausea. The pain is often described as a burning sensation and may improve with eating or taking antacids.


When should someone with abdominal pain seek immediate medical attention?

Immediate medical attention should be sought if the abdominal pain becomes more severe or spreads to the back, if there is vomiting of blood or blood in the stool, if there is lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, if the abdomen is hard, swollen, or tender to touch, or if there is an inability to pass stool or gas.


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