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Warning-sign checks

Abdominal migraine: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Emergency symptoms, including confusion, difficulty waking, severe dehydration, bloody or green vomit, or sudden rapidly worsening pain, require immediate care rather than routine follow-up.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a clinician promptly for persistent vomiting, reduced urination, unexplained weight loss, pain that regularly wakes the person, ongoing pain between attacks, fever, blood in stool, or a major change from the usual pattern.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
    • has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
    • has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if abdominal pain repeatedly interrupts sleep, meals, school, work, or activities.

    Follow-up is also appropriate when attacks are becoming more frequent, home measures are no longer effective, or a prescribed treatment causes side effects.

    A diary can make follow-up more useful.

    Record when the attack started, how long it lasted, the location and severity of pain, associated symptoms, possible triggers, medicines taken, and the response to treatment.

    For children, recording school absences and growth concerns may also help.

The article also says

The clinician may review whether the diagnosis still fits, whether tests are needed, and whether preventive treatment is helping.

The treatment plan may need adjustment as a child grows or as symptoms change.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Abdominal migraine. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.