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What to do if…
you have sudden abdominal pain that is new and worsening

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat new, worsening abdominal pain as urgent. If it is severe, came on very suddenly, or you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E now.

Do not do these things

  • Do not wait it out if the pain is getting worse, severe, or very different from anything you have had before.
  • Do not take laxatives or try to force a bowel movement to relieve the pain.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are trying to get assessed.
  • Do not take ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin for pain, or extra doses of painkillers unless a clinician or pharmacist has said it is safe for you.
  • Do not drive yourself to A&E if you feel faint, very weak, confused, or the pain is severe; ask someone to drive you or call 999.
  • Do not let embarrassment stop you from seeking help.

What to do now

  1. Decide the safest route to urgent help by symptoms, not guesswork. Call 999 or go to A&E now if any of these apply:
    • the pain is severe or came on very suddenly
    • it hurts when you touch your stomach, or your belly feels rigid or hard
    • you faint, collapse, feel very dizzy or confused, or are clammy
    • you cannot breathe or have chest pain
    • you are vomiting blood, or vomit looks like coffee grounds
    • your poo is bloody, black and sticky, or very unusual for you
    • you cannot pee
    • you cannot poo or pass wind and the pain or bloating is worsening
    • you have diabetes and you are vomiting
  2. If it feels urgent but not immediately life-threatening, use the urgent-care route for where you are:
    • England: call 111 or use 111 online if you are aged 5 or over.
    • Scotland: call 111 if your GP practice is closed.
    • Wales: call 111 or use NHS 111 Wales.
    • Northern Ireland: use nidirect illness advice and contact your GP out-of-hours service if your GP is closed. If you are told to be seen urgently, follow that advice promptly.
  3. If pregnancy is possible, treat this as higher risk. If you can do it quickly, take a home pregnancy test. If you might be pregnant and have abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, faintness, collapse, or severe sudden pain, seek urgent medical help now; use 999 or A&E for severe sudden pain, fainting, or collapse.
  4. While arranging help, avoid alcohol and heavy meals. If you are thirsty and not repeatedly vomiting, take small sips of water.
  5. Make it easy for clinicians to help you. Write down or message someone:
    • when the pain started and how quickly it worsened
    • where it is, and whether it moves to your back, shoulder, groin, or one side
    • vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, fever, shivers, urinary symptoms, vaginal bleeding, or blood in poo
    • pregnancy possibility, diabetes, recent injury, recent travel, recent antibiotics, or recent surgery
    • medicines you have taken, allergies, and relevant medical conditions
  6. Get someone with you if possible. Ask a friend, relative, or neighbour to stay, or to be on call. If you are going to A&E, take your phone, charger, and a list of medicines.
  7. If you are waiting for help and you suddenly worsen, escalate immediately. Call 999 if you become faint, confused, short of breath, develop heavy bleeding, or the pain becomes unbearable.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause right now.
  • You do not need to decide whether it is appendix, gallbladder, kidney stone, infection, trapped wind, or something else.
  • You do not need to finish work, chores, or non-urgent plans before seeking help.
  • You do not need to prove it is serious by waiting for more symptoms.
  • You do not need to make decisions about tests or treatment beyond getting assessed.

Important reassurance

New, worsening abdominal pain can feel frightening, and it is reasonable to seek urgent help even if you are unsure. Early assessment is often the safest way to rule out time-sensitive problems and reduce uncertainty.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the first hours only. Later decisions may need help from NHS 111, a GP, an urgent treatment service, A&E, or another specialist service.

Important note

This guide is general information only. It is not medical, legal, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice, and it cannot diagnose the cause of abdominal pain.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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