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# Abdomen Injuries and Wounds | |
## When to suspect abdomen injury | |
If the belly has suffered a blow, such as from a hard fall, vehicle | |
accident, or getting hit or kicked, look for bruises which are signs | |
of bleeding trapped in the body. Too much bleeding inside the body | |
can lead to shock. Also watch for these signs of serious injury to | |
the abdomen: | |
## Danger signs | |
* Severe pain | |
* Confusion | |
* Belly hard like a board, or growing larger | |
* Signs of blood loss: feeling faint, growing pale, fast pulse | |
For any of these danger signs, treat for shock and get help. Do not | |
give any food or drink. See Belly Pain, Diarrhea, and Worms in | |
*Where There Is No Doctor* for more on emergencies of the abdomen. | |
shock | |
belly pain | |
If part of the gut spills out of the body, cover it with a clean | |
cloth soaked in lightly salted water and get help. Do not push the | |
guts back in. | |
Exposed gut | |
## An object sticking out of the body | |
For an object sticking out of the abdomen, it is usually safest to | |
leave it in and get help. Even if help is days away, do not pull out | |
the object. Secure it in place with bandages or fabric. | |
Impaled in the gut | |
> from NEW WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR © Hesperian Health Guides, | |
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