What Causes Abdominal Swelling After A Fall?

Posted on Thu, 28 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 Answered on

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have fallen on my back and within a few days had excruciating pain and abbdominal swelling. I think it is pancreatitis. But I did not see a doctor: Hospital costs are too expensive, I have no family or close friends who can transport me; I have pets that would need to be sheltered and that is expensive. I am 71 y/o and mostly home bound doing ok until the fall in May. Now I am having a reoccurrence after I thought it finally healed. I don't know if I should call my Primary care physician, a GI specialist or go to ER. I just don't want to be hospitalized! Can I be an out patient for testing, etc? Can you help with advice etc ?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be abdominal bleeding or urinary retention

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the query.

Do you feel giddy or dizzy?

Are you passing urine and stool normally?

I am sorry for the trouble you faced. I can empathise with your concerns.

I would like to point out that abdominal swelling after a fall could indicate bleeding or urinary retention which could have occurred due to a rib fracture and underlying organ injury. This is a possibility such needs to be ruled out by an urgent ultrasound scan.

I would suggest you contact your Healthcare provider and explain your situation, and get to am Emergency Medicine department at a Hospital as soon as possible.

It is always important to rule out any sinister pathology in the beginning.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng