Blunt Abdominal Injury (Benign)

Home care

• Rest until you are feeling better.

• You may develop a bruise at the site of your injury.

• Eat foods that are low in fiber (called a low-residue diet). Allowed foods include white bread, white rice, and fruit and vegetable juices without pulp. These foods will pass more easily through the intestine. Until you have no symptoms and feel normal, avoid whole-grain foods, whole fruits and vegetables, meats, seeds and nuts. Also avoid fried or fatty foods, dairy, alcohol, and spicy foods.

• Use over-the-counter pain medicine, if needed, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease or have ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as directed.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Pain doesn't start to improve within 24 hours

• Vomiting starts and continues

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Chills

• Blood in urine (pink to dark red)

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Blood in vomit (bright red or coffee ground color) or bowel movements (dark red or black color)

• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting

• Pain that gets worse or suddenly worsens

• Swelling in your abdomen that increases