Urgent Care for Abdominal Pain in Portland and Tigard, OR

At Columbia Clinic Urgent Care, our team is dedicated to quickly and accurately assessing your pain to provide the best possible care. When you visit us for pain management, it’s helpful to pay attention to several important features of your pain, as this information can help our providers determine the cause and recommend the right treatment.

Start by thinking about the location of your pain—where exactly do you feel it? Does it stay in one spot or does it move to other parts of your body? Try to describe the quality of your pain: Is it sharp, dull, burning, stabbing, throbbing, or aching? We may also ask you to rate the intensity of your pain on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst you can imagine.

It’s also important to consider the duration of your pain—how long does it last? Is it constant, or does it come and go? Pay attention to the timing: Does the pain occur at specific times of day, or is it related to certain activities? Please let us know about any factors that make the pain better or worse, such as rest, movement, eating, or applying heat or ice.

If you notice any associated symptoms—like swelling, numbness, tingling, fever, nausea, or weakness—be sure to mention these during your visit. These details can provide crucial clues about what’s causing your discomfort.

At Columbia Clinic Urgent Care, providing the best possible care starts with understanding every aspect of your health. When you visit our clinic, it’s important to share as much detail as possible about your symptoms with our medical team. Even subtle changes or minor complaints can be valuable clues that help us diagnose your condition accurately and efficiently.

When speaking with our providers, be sure to mention not only your main symptoms but also any new or unusual changes in your body. This can include pain, swelling, rashes, tingling, or numbness. Let us know about changes in appetite, weight, sleep patterns, or energy levels. If you have experienced fever, chills, night sweats, or unexplained fatigue, please bring this up during your visit.

Digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or any changes in your bowel or urinary habits are also important for us to know. Don’t forget to mention symptoms like dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, or palpitations. If you’ve had any recent infections, exposure to sick individuals, recent travel, or contact with animals, please inform our team. Additionally, any mental or emotional changes—such as confusion, mood swings, or memory problems—are important to discuss.

At Columbia Clinic Urgent Care, we know that the location of abdominal pain—whether it’s on the left side, right side, or in the middle—can provide important clues about its underlying cause. Each part of the abdomen contains different organs, so pain in a specific area often points toward certain medical conditions.

For example, pain in the right upper abdomen may be related to issues with the liver or gallbladder, such as hepatitis or gallstones. If you experience pain in the lower right side, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, it could be a sign of appendicitis. Pain in the lower left abdomen may result from conditions affecting the colon, such as diverticulitis, or, in women, issues with the left ovary.

Pain in the center of your abdomen, around the belly button, can be linked to problems with the stomach, small intestine, or pancreas, such as gastritis, pancreatitis, or early appendicitis. Severe central pain might also indicate more serious conditions, like a bowel obstruction or an aortic aneurysm.

While the location of pain is an important clue, it’s not always definitive. Some conditions can cause pain that moves or radiates, and the organs in the abdomen can overlap. Other factors—such as how the pain started, its severity, and any accompanying symptoms like fever, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits—are also key to an accurate diagnosis.

Lower abdominal pain is a common complaint with many possible causes—some are mild and self-limited, while others can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. We understand how concerning and uncomfortable abdominal pain can be. Our experienced medical team is here to promptly evaluate your symptoms and provide the care you need.

It’s important to recognize when lower abdominal pain requires prompt medical evaluation. You should visit Columbia Clinic Urgent Care or seek emergency care if:

The pain is sudden and severe, especially if it wakes you from sleep or makes it difficult to move.
You have persistent or worsening pain that does not improve with rest.

The pain is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as:
● Fever and chills
● Nausea or vomiting (especially if you cannot keep fluids down)
● Blood in your stool, urine, or vomit
● Heavy or unusual rectal or vaginal bleeding
● Severe pain during pregnancy
● Pain after trauma or injury
● Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or confusion

If you have a history of chronic medical conditions—such as inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, or recent abdominal surgery—and develop new or severe lower abdominal pain, it is especially important to seek prompt assessment.

Your health and safety are our top priorities. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are an emergency, it is always better to lean on the side of caution and seek care. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Tibbetts St Portland, Milwaukie OR, Oak Grove OR, Stark Street Portland, Fairview OR, Happy Valley OR, Gladstone OR, Cedar Mill OR, Tibbetts Street Portland OR, West Linn OR, Aloha OR, Tigard OR, Lake Oswego OR, Tualatin OR, Oregon City OR.