Abdominal Pain: When to Seek Help and When Tests May Help | Victoria Medical
Symptoms and testsEvidence-only patient guide

Abdominal pain: when to seek help and when tests may help

Abdominal pain has many possible causes. The safest next step depends on how suddenly it began, how severe it is, what other symptoms you have and your medical history. An ultrasound can be useful for some questions, but it is not the right test for every type of pain.

Published 15 April 2026 Updated 30 August 2026

Common problems such as indigestion, constipation or a stomach infection can cause abdominal pain, but persistent, worsening or severe pain needs assessment. A clinician considers the whole picture rather than trying to diagnose from the area of pain alone.[1]

This guide supports a conversation with a health professional. It does not diagnose the cause of pain and must not delay urgent medical care.

When to get urgent help

Call 999 or go to A&E if

pain came on very suddenly or is severe; it hurts when you touch your stomach; you are vomiting blood; your stool is bloody or black and sticky; you cannot pass urine, stool or wind; you cannot breathe; you have chest pain; you have diabetes and are vomiting; or someone has collapsed. Do not drive yourself to A&E.[1]

Seek an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 advice if pain becomes much worse, does not settle or keeps returning, or is associated with pregnancy, unplanned weight loss, urinary changes, rectal bleeding, unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, or persistent diarrhoea.[1]

How abdominal pain is assessed

Assessment starts with questions about where the pain is, when it began, whether it comes and goes, what makes it better or worse, and symptoms such as vomiting, fever, bowel or urinary changes, vaginal bleeding or discharge. A clinician may recommend an examination, urine or pregnancy test, blood tests or imaging according to the clinical question.[2]

Assessment questionA route that may be consideredImportant limit
Possible gallbladder, biliary, kidney or some gynaecological causesAbdominal or pelvic ultrasound may be considered.The scan is selected for a particular question; it does not explain every cause of pain.
Possible bowel obstruction, infection or a generalised acute abdomenHospital assessment and other tests, including CT in some situations, may be more appropriate.Investigations should not delay admission when urgent care is needed.
Ongoing or recurrent symptomsA clinician may consider blood tests, urine or stool tests, imaging or follow-up.The choice depends on the assessment rather than a standard pain-location checklist.

What an abdominal ultrasound may contribute

Ultrasound uses sound waves to image an area of the body. An abdominal examination may be used to examine structures such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen and aorta. It can help answer a defined question or monitor an existing condition, but another scan or test may be needed if it does not answer the question raised by your symptoms.[3]

Preparation is examination-specific. Some providers ask people having an abdominal ultrasound to fast, while other ultrasound examinations have different instructions. The clinic confirms preparation, suitability, the booking route, reporting and follow-up for your selected examination.[3]

Questions that can help at an appointment

  • What possible causes are being considered from my symptoms and examination?
  • Is there a specific question that an ultrasound can answer in my situation?
  • Could I need blood, urine, stool or pregnancy testing as well as imaging?
  • What result or symptom change should lead to a different next step?
  • Which symptoms mean I should use NHS 111 or emergency services rather than wait for a scan?

Frequently asked questions

Can the position of pain tell me what is wrong?

The position and pattern of pain can help a clinician decide what questions and examinations are needed, but they cannot diagnose the cause on their own. Stomach, bowel, urinary, gynaecological and gallbladder conditions can overlap.

When might an abdominal ultrasound be useful?

It may be considered when assessment raises a question about the gallbladder, biliary system, kidneys or other abdominal structures. NICE lists ultrasound among the possible investigations for suspected biliary, gynaecological or renal pathology. The most suitable test depends on the symptoms and examination.

Does an abdominal ultrasound rule out every cause of pain?

No. Ultrasound is one part of an assessment. It may not answer every clinical question, and another test, follow-up or urgent assessment may be needed depending on the symptoms and findings.

Do I need a referral or special preparation?

The appropriate booking route, referral requirements and preparation are confirmed for the specific examination at booking. Do not assume that another provider’s fasting or fluid instructions apply to your appointment.

Related routes and information

Abdominal ultrasoundLearn about this examination and booking confirmation.Private GP consultationsDiscuss abdominal symptoms and appropriate next steps.Pelvic ultrasoundAn imaging route where pelvic symptoms are relevant.Blood tests at 40Understand how tests are chosen for a clinical question.

References

  1. [1]NHS: Stomach ache — symptoms and when to get urgent help
  2. [2]NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries: Acute abdominal pain — investigations, revised January 2025
  3. [3]Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust: Abdominal ultrasound scan

Sources checked 30 August 2026. This evidence-only page does not replace individual assessment, diagnosis or urgent medical care.