Quick Hit | What Really Happens When You Go to the ER with Stomach Pain (ER Doctor Explains)

“Dr Cois, I’ve got abdominal pain. What will happen to me when I come to the ED?” It’s one of the most common questions in my inbox — and one of the top 3 reasons people present to my Emergency Department. In this Quick Hit, I walk you through what actually happens when you come in with stomach pain: the conversation we have, the 4 diagnoses we cannot miss, and the bigger story most patients never hear.Inside this episode:•  How emergency physicians use the SOCRATES framework to find the diagnosis before any test is ordered•  The 4 can’t-miss diagnoses — cholecystitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstruction — and how each one classically presents•  Non-GI causes of abdominal pain we always consider,including kidney stones, UTIs, aortic emergencies, and mesenteric ischaemia•  Why most recurrent abdominal pain comes back toconstipation, reflux, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease•  A practical, week-by-week plan to safely increase yourfiber from 15 g to 40 g a day•  Why a CT scan isn’t always the right answer, and how to think about radiation risk in the ER•  The bold takeaway: if we don’t find a life threat, your next step isn’t another scan — it’s your Tier 1 habitsKey Takeaways•  Most abdominal pain in the ER goes home safely•  80% of your plate should be plant foods•  Increase fiber gradually — not 15 g to 40 g overnight•  PPIs are a 2–6 week tool, not a forever medication•  Establish care with a primary care provider for any recurrent abdominal symptomsChapter MarkersChapter timestamps available on the YouTube version of this episode — use that as the master reference.DisclaimerThis episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have symptoms that concern you, please contact your physician or local emergency services.ClosingSend your next Quick Hit question via the contact form at DrCois.com or DM @dr_cois on socials. Fewer bad days. More good decades.