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The range of reasons a person might experience abdominal tenderness are as broad as the individual's meaning of the word "tenderness." In the worst case scenario, abdominal tenderness (pain) can be life-threatening and therefore requires immediate medical attention in the form of 911 or presentation to the local emergency room. The underlying cause of abdominal pain can be anything from abdominal aortic aneurysm to appendicitis, with many other options from which to choose. In other words, acute or immediate onset abdominal pain of unclear etiology isn't one of those conditions you want to ask your internet pals about. Go to the emergency room instead, particularly if there is fever, board-rigidity of the abdominal muscles, the presence of blood either vomited or in the stool/urine, the marked absence of bowel movements, a history of ulcer disease or colon disorders, gallbladder problems, pain between the shoulder blades, neck/chest/shoulder pain, dizziness/weakness/sweating/confusion, if you think you might be pregnant, or have experienced a direct blow/trauma of some type. On the other hand, if the "tenderness" is colicky, recurrent, waxing and waning, related to diet, or some other mild but annoying pain, it still needs to be checked out by a licensed medical professional. Don't mess around with abdominal pain. It's true that your tender abdomen could just be constipation or sore muscles, not thought of as life-stoppers. But, there are so many other things to rule out that at least a call to the local hospital nurse line is warranted. Most insurance companies now have a nurse line. or you can call the local hospital in your area. Just last year, the author knew someone who had a husband opposed to medical care and therefore refused to seek treatment for his abdominal pain, despite the severity. Less than 10 days later, he was deceased from a perforated duodenal ulcer. He literally sat in his chair at home and bled to death. The take-home message is to seek the level of treatment appropriate for any abdominal tenderness/pain. Web References: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003273.htm http://firstaid.about.com/od/firstaidbasics/qt/06_abdpain.htm http://symptoms.webmd.com/ This is a "symptom checker" by Web MD

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17y ago

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