ER-trained ContinuEM doctor examining a patient with abdominal pain in Lakewood

SYMPTOMS

Abdominal Pain Treatment

Stomach pain is miserable, and guessing at the cause is worse. Our ER-trained doctors in Lakewood evaluate abdominal pain with on-site labs, ultrasound, and CT scans, to give you answers and treatment in one visit. No appointment needed.

What Is Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain is any discomfort between your chest and pelvis: home to your stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and appendix. Where it hurts, how it hurts, and what comes with it are the clues our doctors use to find the cause.

ContinuEM doctor palpating a patient’s abdomen during an exam

What Causes Abdominal Pain?

Most stomach pain comes from common, treatable conditions:

  • Digestive: gastroenteritis (stomach flu), indigestion and gas, acid reflux (GERD), food poisoning, constipation, IBS
  • Inflammatory: gastritis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, and appendicitis, which needs emergency evaluation
  • Other conditions: kidney stones, UTIs, gallstones, peptic ulcers, lactose intolerance, menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts

Abdominal pain can occasionally signal something serious: heart attack, aortic aneurysm, bowel obstruction, ectopic pregnancy, or internal bleeding.

Urgent Care or ER? Know the Difference

Most abdominal pain can be evaluated and treated right here, faster and at a fraction of the cost of an ER.

Come to ContinuEM if you have:

  • Moderate to severe pain lasting more than a few hours
  • Pain with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Fever above 101°F
  • Trouble keeping fluids down, or signs of dehydration
  • Abdominal swelling or tenderness
  • Pain that worsens after eating, or new unexplained pain

Call 911 or go to the ER if you have:

  • Sudden, severe pain that takes your breath away
  • Chest pain or pressure with stomach pain (possible heart attack)
  • Vomiting blood, or bloody or black, tar-like stools
  • A rigid, board-like abdomen that’s extremely tender
  • Pain during pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
  • Pain moving from your navel to the lower right side (possible appendicitis)
  • Difficulty breathing, fainting, or severe weakness
  • Recent abdominal surgery or trauma

Not sure? Call us at (562) 731-3990. We’ll help you decide.

Symptoms We Ask About

How you describe your pain helps us diagnose it. Our doctors will ask about:

Type of pain Often points to
Sharp or stabbing Kidney stones, gallstones, appendicitis
Cramping that comes and goes Gas, food poisoning, menstrual cycles
Dull, constant ache Gastritis, indigestion, viral infection
Burning (upper abdomen) Acid reflux, heartburn, ulcers
One specific spot Organ-specific, lower right may mean appendix, upper right gallbladder
All over Stomach flu, constipation, gas

Also mention: nausea or vomiting, changes in bowel movements, fever or chills, bloating, loss of appetite, urinary symptoms, or (for women) anything tied to your menstrual cycle.

How We Diagnose Abdominal Pain

  1. We listen.

  2. We examine.

  3. We test on site when needed.

We can conduct blood work and urinalysis, stool studies, and imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan) without sending you elsewhere.

How We Treat It

Treatment depends on the cause. Most patients leave the same visit with:

  1. Medications: anti-nausea, antibiotics, acid reducers, and pain management fitted to your condition

  2. IV fluids: if vomiting or diarrhea has you dehydrated, an IV gets you feeling better faster

  3. Clear aftercare: what to eat, what to avoid, warning signs, and when to come back

  4. Coordination with your primary doctor for anything chronic or complex

Most minor GI issues resolve within a few days with treatment and self-care.

Why Choose ContinuEM for Abdominal Pain

ER-trained, board-certified providers

On-site lab and imaging

Walk-ins welcome; open until 11 PM weekdays, 6 PM weekends

$99 upfront fee; most insurance accepted

Faster and far cheaper than the ER for non-life-threatening pain

Conveniently located in Lakewood, CA, serving Long Beach, Downey, Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Signal Hill, Norwalk, Naples, Belmont Shore, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Buena Park, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, and West Garden Grove.

Related Care at ContinuEM

One visit usually covers whatever stomach pain brings with it:

ContinuEM Urgent Care in Lakewood
ContinuEM doctor discussing abdominal pain results with a patient

FAQ

Abdominal Pain FAQs

Urgent care handles most moderate abdominal pain. Choose the ER for severe pain, chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting blood, bloody stools, or pain during pregnancy. Unsure? Call (562) 731-3990.

Only what your symptoms call for: blood work, urinalysis, and — if we suspect a structural problem, X-ray, ultrasound, or CT, all on site.

Most visits run 30–60 minutes including testing — versus several hours at a typical ER.

Often, yes. If your condition needs surgical care (appendicitis, bowel obstruction), we’ll identify it, facilitate your transfer, and send complete documentation ahead of you.

No. Walk-ins are always welcome during open hours. Call ahead if you like — it’s never required.

Most plans do. You pay a $99 upfront service fee; the rest is billed to your insurance. See Insurance & Pricing.

When it’s severe, lasts more than a few hours, keeps getting worse, or comes with fever, vomiting, bloody stools, or chest pain. Trust your instincts — if you’re worried, get checked.

FAX

(562) 461-0082

HOURS & APPOINTMENTS

Monday – Friday
8 AM – 11 PM (last check-in at 10 PM)

Saturday & Sunday
10 AM – 6 PM (last check-in at 5 PM)

Times may vary. See Holiday Hours.

COVERAGE

We’ve Got You Covered

Most in-network and out-of-network insurance accepted. You pay a $99 upfront service fee; the rest is billed to your insurance.

*Exclusions apply for insurance plans without urgent care benefits — see cash payment options.

  • Aetna
  • Alignment Healthcare
  • Anthem
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Brand New Day
  • CareMore Health
  • Cigna
  • Health Net
  • ILWU Local 13
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Medicare Advantage
  • Medicare
  • Optum
  • SCAN Health Plan
  • United Healthcare

ContinuEM Urgent Care is dedicated to delivering exceptional, convenient healthcare to the Lakewood community and its surrounding areas. Our board-certified providers deliver expert care with compassion, transparency, and respect for your time.

Giancarlo DiMassa, MD

Medically reviewed by

Giancarlo DiMassa, MD

Written by

ContinuEM Editorial Team

Last updated

January 7, 2026

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding a medical condition. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Be the first to know

Sign up to stay connected on new product releases, exclusive offers, and news from e-RYDE.

BOOK MY APPOINTMENT