ABDOMINAL PAIN

The abdominal pain is owed often, though not always, to a pathology located inside the abdomen. The pain can be recounted to this one from other places, as the chest, column or genitalia.

Abdominal pain is commonly due to, although not always, a condition located inside the abdomen: indigestion, flatulence (gases), mild abdominal colic (intermittent abdominal pain without diarrhoea or fever) and the effects of excessive food or alcohol intake. Mild abdominal pain will go away if the cause is found and dealt with. A light diet for a few days, with occasional antacids (algedrate + aluminium hydroxide, DRAWER 2, first aid kits A, B, and C ) (three times a day), may solve the problem. Local heat on colic type pains may alleviate them.

An abdominal emergency (fever, hard abdomen, absent abdominal noise, prolonged constipation, etc.) requires surgical treatment which, no doubt, is not feasible at sea. In such cases proceed to evacuate the patient; do not give any food orally, and do not give sedatives as they may mask or aggravate the condition. Ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO , immediately, as well as for mild cases that do not resolve themselves within two days.