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What to do if…
you have sudden severe pain in your upper abdomen with nausea that will not settle

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

Short answer

Treat sudden severe upper abdominal pain with nausea that will not settle as urgent. If the pain came on very suddenly, is severe, or you feel very unwell, call 999 or 112, or go to A&E now.

Do not do these things

  • Do not wait it out if the pain is severe, sudden, worsening, or stopping you from standing or moving normally.
  • Do not drive yourself to A&E if you are in severe pain, dizzy, faint, confused, or vomiting; call 999 or 112, or ask someone else to take you.
  • Do not keep eating to try to settle it.
  • Do not take extra doses of painkillers or mix medicines beyond the label.
  • Do not ignore chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse, fainting, confusion, or pain spreading to your back or shoulder.
  • Do not assume it is indigestion, gallbladder pain, or pancreatitis without being assessed.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency signs and act on them. Call 999 or 112, or go to A&E, if any of these apply:
    • the pain came on very suddenly or is severe
    • it hurts when you touch your stomach
    • you have chest pain or cannot breathe properly
    • you feel faint, someone has collapsed, or you are becoming confused
    • you are vomiting blood, or vomit looks like coffee grounds
    • your poo is bloody, black, sticky, or extremely smelly
    • you cannot pee
    • you cannot poo or fart
    • you have diabetes and you are vomiting
    • you are pregnant or could be pregnant and the pain is severe, worsening, or you feel unwell
  2. If it does not clearly need 999 or 112 but the pain is still severe, persistent, or worrying, get urgent medical triage now:
    • in England, use NHS 111 online or phone 111
    • in Scotland, phone NHS 24 on 111
    • in Wales, use NHS 111 Wales online symptom checkers or phone 111
    • in Northern Ireland, contact your GP out-of-hours service if your GP practice is closed
  3. Say the key sentence clearly: “I have sudden severe upper abdominal pain with nausea that will not settle.” Tell them when it started, whether it is getting worse, and whether it spreads to your back, shoulder, chest, or right side under the ribs.
  4. Make yourself safer while help is being arranged. Sit upright or lie on your side with your knees slightly bent, whichever is most comfortable. Avoid food for now. If you are not actively vomiting and can swallow safely, take small sips of water.
  5. Gather what a clinician may need without delaying help: your medicines, allergies, pregnancy possibility, diabetes status, recent heavy alcohol intake, new painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicines, and any history of gallstones, ulcers, or pancreatitis.
  6. If you are alone, call or message someone to stay with you or stay on the phone while you contact urgent help. If you become faint, confused, or unable to speak normally, they can call 999 or 112.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause right now.
  • You do not need to decide today about tests, surgery, diet changes, alcohol changes, or long-term treatment.
  • You do not need to prove it is serious before asking for urgent help.
  • You do not need to search symptoms repeatedly while the pain is severe.

Important reassurance

Severe upper abdominal pain with nausea can feel frightening, and several different causes can feel similar at the start. Getting urgent assessment is a sensible protective step; it does not mean you have done anything wrong or that you are overreacting.

Scope note

These are first steps only to help you stay safe and reach the right urgent service. Later decisions, including tests or treatment, may need a clinician or another appropriate specialist.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis and not medical or professional advice. If symptoms are severe, sudden, worsening, or you feel very unwell, seek urgent medical help immediately.

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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