How to Spot Signs of a Serious Intra-Abdominal Injury

Serious intra-abdominal injury occurs when a blunt force strikes the abdomen. Injury to internal organs can cause serious health conditions, and even death. Any of the signs below should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Things You'll Need

• Flat surface on which to lay down

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Instructions

Spotting the Signs of a Serious Intra-Abdominal Injury

• 1

  Look for a distended abdomen. A distended abdomen occurs when your abdomen is bigger than usual. It can result in the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, signaling a potentially serious illness. If your abdomen is distended for an unusual period of time, sensitive to touch or appears to be getting bigger, contacting your doctor as soon as possible is needed.

• 2

  Listen for decreased bowel sounds. Decreased bowel sounds include a reduction in the loudness, tone or the regularity of sounds. This also is an indicator of slowing of the intestinal activity. A bowel buildup in the intestinal cavity may occur, leading to other serious problems.

• 3

  Feel to see if your abdomen is tense and hardened. If the lower part of your stomach is hard like a rock or feels like a spasms, this may be a sign of a serious intra-abdominal injury. The abdomen becomes hard and tense due to swelling in the abdominal wall.

• 4

  Determine if you have rebound abdominal tenderness. Rebound tenderness in the abdomen caused by intra-abdominal injury shows signs of pain felt on the release of applied pressure on the abdomen wall. Test for rebound tenderness by lying on a flat surface, press into the abdomen and let go suddenly. If it hurts a lot more when you let go than when you first pressed in, you have rebound tenderness and medical assistance is needed.