What is causing my upper abdominal pain?

When should you seek immediate medical attention?

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Severe pain or extreme pressure
Fièvre
You feel nauseating or vomiting that doesn’t stop
Unexpected weight loss
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin.
Abdominal sweating
You will feel extreme tenderness when you touch your abdomen

Bloody stool

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should immediately have someone drive you to an emergency room or urgent care. These symptoms could be an indication of a serious condition that requires immediate attention.

It’s what is causing it?

Gallstones

Gallstones are solid deposits in the bile and digestive fluid of your gallbladder. This four-inch-long organ is located below your liver. They are the leading cause of pain in the right side and upper abdomen.

Gallstones can cause symptoms but not always. If gallstones block the duct they can cause upper abdominal pain.

Pain in the right shoulder
nausea or vomiting
Back pain between your shoulder blades
A sudden, intense pain below your breastbone in the middle section of your abdomen.

Gallstone pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Although your doctor may recommend medication to dissolve gallstones it may take several months or even years for the treatment to be effective. The doctor may recommend that you have your gallbladder removed. This is not necessary and will not affect your ability to eat.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis can be a liver infection that causes pain on the right side or upper abdomen. There are three types:

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious infection that can be spread by infected food and water or contact with infected persons or objects.

Hepatitis B is a serious infection of the liver that can lead to liver failure, cancer or permanent scarring (cirrhosis).

Hepatitis C is a chronic viral infection that can spread through infected blood. It can cause liver inflammation and liver damage.

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You may also experience the following symptoms of hepatitis:

Fatigue and weakness
nausea and vomiting
Fièvre
poor appetite
Dark-colored urine
joint pain
jaundice
itchy skin
appetite loss

Liver abscess

A liver abscess can be described as a pus-filled cyst in the liver. It causes pain on the right side, upper abdomen. A variety of bacteria can cause an abscess. You may also get an abscess from liver damage or blood infections.

You may also notice the following symptoms in a liver abscess:

Pain in your lower right side of your chest
Clay-colored stool
Dark-colored urine
appetite loss
nausea or vomiting
sudden weight loss
jaundice
Night sweats, fever, and chills
Weakness

GERD

Gastroesophageal acid reflux disease (GERD), is acid reflux that can irritate the lining of your esophageal lining. GERD can cause heartburn. This is when acid reflux causes your stomach to move up into your chest. You may feel pain in the upper abdomen.

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Other signs and symptoms of GERD include:

chest pain
Problems swallowing
Backflow of food and sour liquid
Feeling like you have a lump in your throat
Acid reflux at night can also be caused by:
Chronic cough
New or worsening symptoms of asthma
Sleep problems
laryngitis

Hiatal hernia

Hiatal hernia is when your stomach protrudes through the large muscle that divides your diaphragm from your abdomen. Because your stomach is the largest part of your body, you will feel the most pain in the left side.

Although a small hiatal problem is not usually symptomatic, a large hiatal problem can lead to a host of problems, such as:

Heartburn
acid reflux
Problems swallowing
Breathing difficulty
Backflow of liquids or food into your mouth
You can vomit blood
Black stools

Gastritis

Gastritis refers to inflammation of the stomach lining. It is often caused by a bacterial disease. Gastritis can also be caused by excessive drinking or regular use of pain relievers. Gastritis can cause pain in the upper abdomen and can be worsened by eating.

Gastritis can also be manifested by:

nausea
vomiting
Feeling full after eating

Peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers are open sores that occur on the stomach’s lining (gastric) or in the upper portion of your small intestine (duodenal). These can be caused by a bacterial or long-term aspirin use and other pain relievers. Burning stomach pain can be caused by peptic ulcers. This will usually occur on your left side.

You may also experience the following symptoms:

Feelings of fullness, bloating or burping
Intolerance to fatty foods
Heartburn
nausea

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis refers to a condition that prevents or slows down the normal spontaneous movement in your stomach muscles. This can interfere with digestion. Certain medications can cause gastroparesis, including opioid painkillers, antidepressants, allergy medication, and drugs that raise blood pressure. Gastroparesis can be felt on the left side or stomach.

Functional Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion, is usually caused by something you ate/drank. Functional dyspepsia, however, is indigestion that has no apparent cause. Indigestion can cause burning sensations on one or both sides.

Functional dyspepsia may also manifest as:

Feeling full after eating a few bites
uncomfortable fullness
Bloating
nausea

When should you see a doctor?

You can usually treat mild cases of abdominal discomfort at home. Applying an ice pack to the affected area can ease muscle strain symptoms. Remember that aspirin and ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation which can worsen abdominal pain.

If your pain in the upper abdomen lasts more than a few days or is severe, it’s time to see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to determine whether your pain is normal or serious and can also diagnose the root cause of the problem and provide a treatment plan.