Severe pain in the upper part of the stomach. Causes of pain in the upper abdomen. What organ causes pain

Diana asks:

What does pain in the upper abdomen mean?

Clinical significance of the symptom of pain in the upper abdomen

• stomach;


• duodenum;


• liver;


• gallbladder;


• pancreas;


• spleen.

In addition, pain in the upper abdomen also occurs with many rather heterogeneous diseases, such as:

• diseases of the spinal column (gastralgic form of osteochondrosis);


• pathology of the anterior abdominal wall (hernia of the white line of the abdomen);


• development of inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity (subphrenic abscess).

To correctly diagnose, doctors, first of all, try to establish the exact localization of pain (in the epigastrium, in the right or left hypochondrium).

Of great importance is the so-called detailing of the pain syndrome, during which the patient will be asked questions about the severity of pain, its intensity, nature (stabbing, cutting, cramping pain, etc.), irradiation (where the pain gives), factors that enhance and weaken pain.

What can suddenly appear sharp pains in the upper abdomen mean (in which cases it is necessary to seek emergency medical help)

Pain in the upper abdomen during perforation of a stomach or duodenal ulcer is dagger-like in nature. The pain syndrome has an extremely high intensity, so often patients from the first minutes of the disease take a forced position with their knees pressed to their stomachs.

Such severe pain quite often leads to the development of a pain shock clinic: the heart rate increases (up to 100 beats per minute and above), blood pressure decreases (systolic pressure is 100 mm Hg and below), patients become covered with cold sticky sweat and are in prostration.

Pain in the upper abdomen during perforation of a gastric or duodenal ulcer is accompanied by retraction of the anterior abdominal wall in the epigastrium (scaphoid abdomen), a powerful protective tension of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall (board-shaped abdomen) develops a little later.

Such a characteristic picture of the disease is due to the fact that when the ulcer perforates through the hole formed into the free abdominal cavity, gastric contents mixed with hydrochloric acid and protein-dissolving enzyme, pepsin, pour out. As a result, the so-called chemical peritonitis develops - inflammation in the abdominal cavity associated with the aggressive effects of gastric contents.

As a rule, perforation of an ulcer occurs during an exacerbation of the disease, but sometimes the so-called "silent ulcers" first appear in this way. The average age of patients with perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer is 40 years. In men, such a severe complication occurs 7-8 times more often than in women.

If a perforated gastric ulcer is suspected, emergency hospitalization is indicated in the surgical department of the hospital. The treatment of this pathology is exclusively surgical.

Acute pain in the upper abdomen due to myocardial infarction

Acute pain in the upper abdomen occurs with the so-called gastralgic form of myocardial infarction. This clinical picture is typical for necrosis of the posterior wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septum. These parts of the heart are in close proximity to the diaphragm, which determines the characteristic localization of the pain syndrome.

In such cases, pain in the upper abdomen is accompanied by signs of disorders of the digestive tract, such as nausea and vomiting (usually single).

Myocardial infarction in the gastralgic form can be recognized by the presence of symptoms characteristic of heart damage, such as:

Suspicion of myocardial infarction is an indication for emergency hospitalization in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Intensive care is needed to save the patient's life.

Sharp pain in the upper abdomen in acute pancreatitis

Pain in the upper abdomen in acute pancreatitis has a girdle character. A pain attack, as a rule, develops suddenly after a gross violation of the diet (most often there is excessive consumption of fatty and sweet foods in combination with alcohol).

In acute pancreatitis, pain in the upper abdomen has a wide area of ​​irradiation - it radiates from the front to the right and left supraclavicular and subclavian spaces, and from behind under both shoulder blades, to the spine and to the lower back.

The pain syndrome is accompanied by nausea and repeated vomiting, which does not bring relief to the patient. Often after the next emptying of the stomach, the pain intensifies.

The pancreatic gland normally secretes proteolytic enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract, when it becomes inflamed, these enzymes corrode the gland tissues (in severe cases, complete necrosis of the organ is possible) and enter the bloodstream, causing general intoxication of the body.

It is the combination of pain in the upper abdomen with signs of pancreatogenic toxemia that makes it possible to accurately diagnose acute pancreatitis even before laboratory tests. Signs of intoxication with gland enzymes include the following symptoms:

• cyanosis (cyanosis) of the face, trunk and (less often) extremities;


• ecchymosis (hemorrhages in the form of irregularly shaped spots) on the lateral surfaces of the abdomen;


• petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages) around the navel and on the buttocks.

Acute pain in the upper abdomen with hepatic colic and acute cholecystitis

hepatic colic is a specific pain syndrome associated with impaired patency of the biliary tract. The most common cause of hepatic colic is cholelithiasis (blockage of the biliary tract by a stone or / and reflex spasm of the smooth muscle of the biliary tract in response to irritation by an outgoing calculus).

Pain in hepatic colic is localized in the right hypochondrium and has a cramping character. Pain syndrome gives up, under the right collarbone and back, under the right shoulder blade.

Pain in the upper abdomen with hepatic colic is combined with nausea and vomiting, usually a single one, which does not bring relief to the patient. In typical cases, an attack is easily stopped by taking standard antispasmodics (No-shpa, etc.).

In cases where taking antispasmodics brings only short-term relief, the attack lasts several hours and is combined with an increase in body temperature with chills and the appearance of symptoms of intoxication (weakness, lethargy, headache), one should think about acute cholecystitis.

At this time, the blood gradually accumulates under the capsule, stretching it. Then there is a rupture of the capsule, which is clinically manifested by acute pain in the upper abdomen, aggravated in the supine position, and signs of internal bleeding.

The duration of the light interval depends on the intensity of bleeding and can range from several hours to several days (cases are described when acute internal bleeding developed 2-3 weeks after the injury).

Two-stage liver rupture is an extremely dangerous complication, often leading to death. Therefore, for any injuries of the abdomen, chest and lower back, accompanied by the appearance of pain in the upper abdomen, it is best to do an ultrasound of the abdominal organs in a timely manner.

Acute pain in the upper abdomen with traumatic and spontaneous ruptures of the spleen

Traumatic ruptures of the unchanged spleen are much less common than traumatic ruptures of the liver, this is due to the smaller size of the spleen and its more favorable anatomical location.

The clinical picture of traumatic ruptures of the spleen, with the exception of the localization of the pain syndrome, is similar to the clinic of liver ruptures. Pain in severe damage to the spleen is localized in the upper abdomen on the left, and gives to the left collarbone and under the left shoulder blade.

Just as in the case of subcapsular ruptures of the liver, it is quite difficult to make a diagnosis of subcapsular rupture of the spleen without the use of appropriate equipment.

Of particular danger are spontaneous (spontaneous) ruptures of the spleen, which quite often complicate diseases accompanied by a significant increase in the organ (tuberculosis, leukemia, malaria, etc.).

In such cases, rupture of the spleen can provoke a slight push to the left hypochondrium, a sharp turn of the patient in bed, coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc.
If pain in the upper abdomen on the left occurs after an injury, or in patients with the threat of spontaneous rupture of the spleen, then an urgent need to consult a doctor.

With spontaneous ruptures, as well as with severe traumatic injuries of the spleen, urgent removal of the organ is carried out. Small tears are sutured. The prognosis for timely assistance is favorable, without a spleen a person can live indefinitely.

Acute pain in the upper abdomen with right-sided pneumonia and pleurisy

Sharp pain in the upper abdomen may indicate damage to the respiratory system. In particular, such localization of the pain syndrome often occurs when right sided pneumonia.

What can occasional pains in the upper abdomen mean (which doctor should be consulted routinely)

Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic diseases of the stomach and duodenum are localized in the epigastrium ("under the pit of the stomach"), and have a constant or paroxysmal character.

As a rule, during exacerbations of diseases, constant dull aching pains occur, which intensify some time after eating (with inflammatory processes in the stomach 30-60 minutes after eating, with inflammation of the duodenal mucosa after 1-1.5 hours).

Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, on the contrary, causes a tendency to prolonged constipation, which is associated with a violation of the motor function of the intestine.

For inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa, occurring with increased secretion of gastric juice, as well as for gastric and duodenal ulcers, heartburn and sour belching are specific. Appetite is usually increased.

All diseases of the stomach and duodenum are characterized by nausea and vomiting, which brings significant relief. With gastritis with high acidity, vomiting often occurs early in the morning, on an empty stomach, due to nocturnal hypersecretion of gastric juice. Especially often this symptom is detected in chronic alcoholics.

With gastritis with reduced acidity, nausea appears some time after eating, and for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, "hungry" sour vomiting is characteristic, which occurs at the height of an attack of pain and relieves pain.

Gastric cancer most often develops against the background of gastritis with reduced acidity, malignant degeneration of stomach ulcers (cancer ulcer) is less common. Sometimes an oncological disease occurs against the background of relative health (as a rule, in such cases we are talking about magnification (malignancy) of benign gastric polyps).

Pain in the upper abdomen with stomach cancer usually appears in the later stages of the disease. The pain syndrome in such cases is not associated with food intake and is most often permanent. When the tumor grows into the wall of the stomach, the pain becomes gnawing and worries the patient most often at night.
What tests and examinations can the doctor prescribe for suspected gastritis or peptic ulcer

Pain in the upper abdomen with chronic cholecystitis

Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic cholecystitis is localized on the right. In this case, the epicenter of pain is felt on the border between the inner and middle third of the costal arch (the place where the gallbladder is projected).

As a rule, pain in chronic cholecystitis is associated with errors in the diet (especially the sick gallbladder does not like fatty fried foods) and is often stabbing or cramping. Pain syndrome gives up, to the right collarbone and back, under the right shoulder blade.

There are calculous and acalculous chronic cholecystitis. Both types are significantly more common in women. Calculous cholecystitis is a kind of complication of cholelithiasis and accounts for up to 90-95% of cases of chronic cholecystitis.

It is calculous cholecystitis that most often occurs with characteristic attacks of hepatic colic. However, it should be noted that it is far from always possible to establish the type of cholecystitis clinically, since characteristic attacks of cramping pain can be caused not only by calculi (gallstones), but also by spasms of the biliary tract. Therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, a number of additional studies are carried out (examination of bile, ultrasound, etc.).

In the period between attacks, patients are disturbed by dull aching pains in the right hypochondrium, aggravated after a violation of the diet, psycho-emotional stress, physical activity, shaky driving.

Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic cholecystitis is combined with dyspeptic symptoms, such as belching with air, unstable stools, heartburn and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, flatulence.

Often, chronic cholecystitis is complicated by obstructive jaundice, a characteristic syndrome based on a mechanical violation of the passage of bile through the biliary tract.

In such cases, the bile does not enter the duodenum, resulting in discoloration of the feces, and is absorbed into the bloodstream, giving a characteristic greenish-yellow tint to the skin and whites of the eyes. Part of the pigment substances that make up bile is excreted in the urine, which as a result acquires the color of dark beer.

Obstructive jaundice is accompanied by excruciating skin itching associated with the toxic effect of substances that make up bile and color the skin.

Over time, patients with chronic cholecystitis develop asthenic syndrome, characterized by such signs as:

• weakness;


• fast fatiguability ;


• decreased memory function and attention;



• mood lability with a tendency to depression;


• headache;


• sleep disorders.

• acute and chronic cholangitis (inflammation of the intrahepatic bile ducts);


• acute and chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);


• secondary biliary cirrhosis of the liver.

Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic pancreatitis

Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic pancreatitis is localized depending on the affected area of ​​the pancreas. The fact is that this gland is adjacent to the back wall of the abdominal cavity and bends over the spinal column in such a way that its head is in the right half of the abdominal cavity, and the body and tail are in the left.

Therefore, with inflammatory processes localized in the head of the pancreas, pain is felt in the upper abdomen on the right and in the epigastrium, and with damage to the body and tail - on the left and in the epigastrium.

With a total lesion of the gland, the pain takes on a girdle character, strongly resembling an attack of acute pancreatitis.

The intensity of the pain syndrome in chronic pancreatitis is usually quite high. The pain is felt as cutting, tearing, boring or shooting. In this case, the pain gives to the spine, to the collarbones and under the shoulder blades from the corresponding sides.

Pain in the upper abdomen is aggravated in a horizontal position and slightly relieved in a sitting position with an inclination forward, so that with a pronounced pain syndrome, patients take a forced position: they sit in bed, pressing their legs bent at the knees to their stomach.

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by a special daily rhythm of pain: as a rule, patients feel best in the morning, pain appears or intensifies in the afternoon and increases in the evening, and subsides during the night. Hunger relieves pain, so patients often try in every possible way to limit themselves in food.

The pain syndrome in chronic pancreatitis is combined with other signs of a violation of the gastrointestinal tract, such as:

• increased salivation;


• belching with air or food eaten;


• nausea, vomiting;


• flatulence;


• aversion to fatty foods;


• decreased appetite.

Clinically, this is manifested by a peculiar change in the nature of the stool - steatorrhea (literally, fatty stools). Fecal masses acquire a grayish color and a mushy consistency, droplets of fat and fibers of undigested food are visible on their surface.

Due to the high fat content, feces in chronic pancreatitis stick to the walls of the toilet bowl and are poorly flushed - often this is the first sign that patients pay attention to.

Another specific symptom of chronic pancreatitis is a significant weight loss (sometimes up to 15-25 kg). Such emaciation is associated both with forced food restrictions during pain attacks, and with impaired absorption of nutrients in the intestines.

With a long course of chronic pancreatitis, the following complications are possible:

• cachexia (exhaustion);



• violation of the patency of the duodenum (compression of the enlarged head of the gland);


• violation of the patency of the common bile duct with the development of complications from the liver.

Pain in the upper abdomen with pancreatic cancer

Pain in the upper abdomen with pancreatic cancer appears, as a rule, already at a late stage of the disease. The pathology clinic largely depends on the location of the tumor in the pancreas.

Clinical symptoms of the disease appear relatively early in case of malignant degeneration of the head of the pancreas. The fact is that in such cases, even with a relatively small size of the tumor, the patency of the common bile duct is often disturbed, into which the ducts of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder flow.

As a result, attacks of hepatic colic develop and long-lasting obstructive jaundice, which over time gives the patient's skin a shade of black bronze.

When a malignant neoplasm is located in the body or tail of the gland, pain in the upper abdomen appears much later. Often, the onset of pain syndrome is preceded by nonspecific signs of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, such as a feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite, belching with air, flatulence, etc.

The pain syndrome in cancer of the body of the pancreas, as a rule, has a very high intensity, which is associated with the germination of the tumor in the solar plexus. The pains are boring or gnawing in nature, radiate to the spinal column and lower back, and disturb patients most often at night.

If a malignant tumor of the pancreas is suspected, they turn to an oncologist. Treatment and prognosis largely depend on the stage of the disease.
What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe if pancreatic cancer is suspected?

Pain in the upper abdomen with liver disease

Pain in the upper abdomen is rarely the main symptom of liver damage. The fact is that the liver parenchyma does not have nerve endings, so even significant pathological changes in the organ may not be accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome.

A significant increase in the size of the organ inevitably leads to stretching of the liver capsule, which contains a large number of nerve receptors. Thus, a pain syndrome develops, the severity of which will depend on the rate of increase in the volume of the liver: from intense arching pains to a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the right hypochondrium.

Another mechanism for the occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen in liver diseases is associated with a violation of the discharge of bile through the intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts. In such cases, the pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, reaches a high intensity and has a stabbing, cutting or cramping character, often resembling attacks of hepatic colic. Such pain is specific, for example, for acute alcoholic hepatitis, which usually occurs against the background of cholestasis (bile stasis), for acute and chronic cholangitis, for secondary biliary cirrhosis of the liver.

And finally, pain in the upper abdomen with liver diseases can occur due to the development of concomitant pathology in neighboring organs with which the liver is functionally connected (pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum) or due to the characteristics of the circulatory system (spleen).

The liver is a multifunctional organ, therefore, with its serious lesions, in addition to pain in the upper abdomen, signs of systemic disorders develop, united under the name "major hepatic symptoms", such as:

Of course, in such cases, the disease is very difficult to treat. Therefore, with the periodic appearance of pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right, in no case should you self-medicate. Timely seeking specialized medical care is the best way to maintain and restore health.
What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe if a liver disease is suspected

Pain in the upper abdomen with lesions of the spleen

Pain in the upper abdomen with damage to the spleen most often develops due to stretching of its richly innervated capsule, which is observed with an increase in the organ. Much less often, pain syndrome occurs when inflammation passes to the peritoneum (perisplenitis), as happens, for example, with abscesses or infarcts of the spleen.

The intensity of pain in the upper abdomen associated with an enlarged spleen is usually not high. Quite often, pain with an enlarged spleen is felt as a feeling of heaviness in the left hypochondrium or discomfort in the left side of the abdomen.

All cases of enlarged spleen can be divided into several large groups. Quite often, the cause of an enlarged spleen is working hypertrophy organ. I must say that the spleen is an important organ of the immune system, a kind of giant lymph node that filters the blood, so an increase in its tissue occurs in such cases as:

• acute and chronic infectious diseases (infectious mononucleosis, malaria, sepsis, tuberculosis, etc.);


• systemic autoimmune aggression in the body (systemic lupus erythematosus, serum sickness).

Another fairly common cause of dull pain in the upper abdomen on the left is an increase in pressure in the portal vein system, leading to the deposition of blood in the spleen and congestive increase organ. This development of events is typical for cirrhosis of the liver.

In addition, an enlargement of the spleen occurs with malignant proliferation (multiplication) of hematopoietic cells lymphocytic line. So, for example, the spleen is significantly enlarged with lymphomas, and with chronic lymphocytic leukemia it can reach gigantic sizes.

Since the spleen performs a hematopoietic role during embryogenesis, this function can be pathologically revived in some malignant blood tumors, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Prolonged enlargement of the spleen leads to the development of hypersplenism - a syndrome, the main manifestations of which are a decrease in the number of blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets).

Clinically, pancytopenia (a decrease in the number of cellular elements in the blood) is manifested by symptoms of anemia (weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath with little physical exertion, pallor of the skin and visible mucous membranes), leukopenia (a tendency to infectious diseases), thrombocytopenia (bleeding gums, nosebleeds, subcutaneous hemorrhages ) and with the progression of the process can lead to dangerous complications (sepsis, internal hemorrhages).

Therefore, if pain or discomfort appears in the upper abdomen on the left, you should contact your general practitioner in a timely manner. In the future, depending on the cause of the enlarged spleen, you may need the help of an infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, immunologist, gastroenterologist, hematologist or oncologist.

Treatment of hypersplenism syndrome, as a rule, is radical - removal of the spleen. The prognosis depends on the cause of the development of pathology.

Pain in the upper abdomen with epigastric hernias of the white line of the abdomen

Pain in the upper abdomen can also occur with epigastric hernias of the white line of the abdomen. The white line of the abdomen is a plexus of tendon bundles of three paired wide abdominal muscles, which stretches from the xiphoid process of the sternum down to the pubic joint.

Between the fibers of the white line of the abdomen there are slit-like spaces through which the vessels and nerves pass. Through these "weak spots" hernias come out, while it is the epigastric (subcutaneous) region that is a favorite place for the exit of hernias of the white line of the abdomen.

At the initial stages of hernia formation, a portion of the preperitoneal fatty tissue penetrates through the defect in the divergence of the fibers of the white line of the abdomen, forming the so-called "preperitoneal lipoma".

The preperitoneal tissue compressed in the hernial ring may contain nerve fibers associated with the solar plexus. Therefore, the clinical picture of a hernial protrusion that is still invisible to the eye may resemble the symptoms of diseases of the organs of the upper floor of the abdominal cavity, such as stomach ulcers, cholecystitis, etc.

Some help in the diagnosis can be provided by the fact that the pain in the upper abdomen with an epigastric hernia is not associated with food intake, but may increase after physical exertion on the press, as well as after coughing, laughing, straining, etc.

Since hernias are steadily progressive diseases, the gap in the white line of the abdomen will gradually increase, and over time, a sheet of peritoneum with hernial contents will penetrate there, and a hernia will form.

Epigastric hernias of the white line of the abdomen rarely reach large sizes, therefore, in obese people they are often detected only with such a complication that is quite common for this type of hernia, such as strangulated hernia.

Infringement of a hernia occurs as follows: with a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure (straining, severe cough, etc.), a significant amount of viscera comes out under the skin through a defect in the white line of the abdomen (hernial orifice), then intra-abdominal pressure drops, and the hernial orifice narrows, and part of the viscera does not have time to slip back into the abdominal cavity and is clamped in the hernial ring.

Most often, the omentum is infringed in epigastric hernias, but sometimes more important internal organs (stomach wall, small or large intestine, gallbladder) can fall into such a trap.

Clinically, a strangulated hernia is manifested by increased pain in the upper abdomen and extreme pain on palpation in the hernia area, which in such cases is usually determined visually.

Incarceration of a hernia is a rather dangerous complication, since blood circulation in the strangulated organs is disturbed and their necrosis may develop.

Therefore, if there is pain in the upper abdomen in the middle, suspicious of an epigastric hernia, you should contact the surgeon in a timely manner. The treatment of this disease is exclusively surgical. The prognosis for timely treatment is quite favorable.
What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe if a hernia of the white line of the abdomen is suspected

Pain in the upper abdomen with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Pain in the upper abdomen can also occur with osteochondrosis - a disease of the spinecharacterized by systemic degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, as a result of which the stability of the spinal column is disturbed and complications from the nervous system develop.

So, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae, the nerves emanating from the spinal cord are clamped, which often causes symptoms of damage to the internal organs of the upper floor of the abdominal cavity.

Quite common gastralgic syndrome that occurs when the spine is damaged in the upper and middle thoracic region. In such cases, chronic pain appears in the upper abdomen in the middle, resembling pain in gastritis.

Significant help in the diagnosis can be provided by the fact that these pains are not related to food intake, do not depend on the quality of the food consumed, but are aggravated after physical work. A specific sign of pain in the upper abdomen with osteochondrosis is an increase in pain in the afternoon and subsidence after a night's rest.

In addition, in such cases, as a rule, other signs of osteochondrosis are also expressed, such as:

Form for supplementing a question or feedback:

Our service operates during the day, during business hours. But our capabilities allow us to qualitatively process only a limited number of your applications.
Please use the search for answers (the database contains more than 60,000 answers). Many questions are already answered.

A rather vague complaint called "pain in the upper abdomen" is equally characteristic of men, women and children. The causes of such pain are varied, ranging from appendicitis to various infectious diseases. If the pain lasts for several seconds or a minute, then this is not a cause for great concern.

Types of pain

The first one belongs visceral pain. It occurs when there is irritation of nerve endings in the walls of internal organs. Such pains are directly associated with spasms or with stretching, for example, of the stomach.

This type of pain is almost always colic of varying strength. They are often spilled and blunted. They can be localized not only directly at the site of the lesion, but also give to other parts of the abdomen.

Somatic pain, which is also called peritoneal, often makes itself felt when the peritoneum is irritated. In this case, the endings of the spinal nerves located in the peritoneum are irritated.

This type of pain, unlike the previous one, is always constant. The pain is sharp, cutting, aggravated by any movement or inhalation / exhalation. The muscles of the anterior abdominal wall are very tense. People suffering from these pains are afraid to make an extra movement, because it only increases pain.

Cramping pain attacks often occur if a person has a narrowed intestine due to certain pathological processes.

Constant pain in the abdomen may indicate serious inflammatory processes in the digestive tract.

Regardless of the type and nature of such pain, if they last more than 30 minutes, you should seek qualified medical help as soon as possible. Taking painkillers only for a while will help to cope with discomfort, but will not cure.

The reasons

In modern medicine, there is a whole list of diseases that can lead to pain in the upper abdomen. Among the common causes, medical science identifies the following:

• Ulcerative processes. If perforation begins, then there is a risk of exit of the contents of the stomach into the abdominal cavity.
• Gastritis. In this case, damage to the mucosa occurs. Pain often becomes stronger after a person has eaten (see also -).
• Inflammation in the gallbladder. Pain is often inspired by the presence or movement of stones.
• Inflammation of the pancreas. This organ is often inflamed due to alcohol abuse, in some cases the hereditary factor plays an important role. Against the background of pain, patients have frequent urge to vomit, nausea.
• Problems with the spleen. In general, this organ is “not prone” to inflammation, but if this happens, then the pain occurs due to its increase in size.
• Pathologies of the spine. As it is not surprising, however, aching pains can occur after injuries or in the presence of osteochondrosis.
• myocardial infarction. May cause pain of varying severity. They are barely perceptible, and sometimes almost unbearable. On the background of spasms, vomiting may occur.
• Other disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system.
• Acute attack of appendicitis.
• Oncological diseases. In the event that the stomach, esophagus, bladder or liver are affected, the pain can girdle and often “radiate” to other places. It all depends on where the metastases spread.
• Hepatitis different type.
• Peritonitis.
• Serious congenital diseases such as Crohn's disease.
• Body intoxication. For example, if a person uses drugs. Intoxication can often be caused by uncontrolled intake of medications that cause unpleasant and painful sensations.
• Banal abdominal injuries. Pain can occur as a result of a certain physical impact: if a person has broken ribs, there is a rupture of the spleen or liver. It can also hurt directly at the site of the bruise, especially if a hematoma has formed.
• Psychosomatic pains.

Overeating, especially before bed, can also lead to pain in the upper abdomen, against which there is also a feeling of heaviness. Such symptoms are sharp and can last 3-5 hours.

It should be remembered that pain in the upper abdomen is often very subjective, and they are not always directly related to the internal organs located there.

General symptoms

Liver

Inflammation of this organ, located in the upper right side of the peritoneum, can cause quite noticeable pain. The “natural filter”, as the liver is also called, can grow in size, causing a different pattern of pain - from moderate to severe. There may be pain in the right hypochondrium, which increases with sudden movements.

Spleen

This organ, located in the left hypochondrium, is covered with peritoneal sheets. Therefore, as a rule, the pain is not severe. They are mainly caused by an enlarged spleen. Severe pain can be caused by:

• Rupture of the spleen. In this case, peritonitis is possible, bleeding occurs, the pain is very severe.
• Spleen infarction. The pain is sharp and sharp as the organ stops receiving blood and tissues begin to die.
• Abscess of the spleen. On palpation, the pain in the left upper abdomen increases. Against this background, a person may additionally feel pain in the muscles, body temperature rises.

Where is the pain located (video)

Pain during pregnancy

• Often, pain in the upper abdomen is directly related to an increase in the uterus. The uterus, increasing in size, pushes the neighboring organs, as it were. This process is accompanied by pain. The pain is aggravated by walking or sudden movements.
• Pregnancy can cause various diseases. The fact is that the immunity of the expectant mother is weakened, thus, existing chronic diseases may become aggravated or new ones may appear.
• Pain in the upper abdomen between the ribs, which is complicated by vomiting, problems with stools, elevated body temperature often indicates the development of pancreatitis. Sometimes, due to the increased stress on the female body, gastritis can “remind” itself of such unpleasant symptoms.
• In late pregnancy, pain in the upper abdomen can be a harbinger of placental abruption and preterm labor.

Basic diagnostic measures

Diagnostic measures may include:

• palpation of the entire abdomen;
• measurement of body temperature and blood pressure;
• listening to the heart and lungs;
• radiography, which helps to recognize the pathology;
• the use of ultrasound - in this case, you can measure the size of the organs located on the right or left of the stomach, check for the presence / absence of internal bleeding;
• magnetic resonance imaging, with which you can quite accurately confirm or refute the presence of pathologies;
• examination of the digestive tract with a special probe;
• general and special blood and urine tests;
• sampling of biological materials from tissues or mucous membranes of organs for subsequent detailed examination;
• tests for the presence of harmful microorganisms, the activity of which could provoke discomfort.

Possible treatment options

• surgical intervention;
• drug therapy.

In other cases, medical treatment is prescribed. It is selected strictly individually, taking into account, among other factors, the age, gender, general condition of the patient's body, as well as the presence (absence) of other concomitant diseases or chronic ailments.

As a rule, reception is shown:

• antibacterial drugs;
• medicines that reduce acidity in the stomach;
• antibiotics of different groups;
• antispasmodics;
• phytopreparations.

Pain in the upper abdomen in the middle is a very dangerous symptom, which is a harbinger of the development of various pathologies and dangerous diseases.

Negative manifestations can form suddenly or increase gradually. Some pass in a short period of time, others annoy the patient for a long period. With increasing intensity and intensification of symptoms, it is necessary to contact a professional specialist. The patient must undergo a diagnosis of the body and find out why certain symptoms appeared. After passing the diagnostic methods, appropriate treatment should be prescribed.

The upper abdomen hurts for various reasons. They are indicators of all kinds of conditions. Diseases can manifest themselves differently in each patient. Some patients experience more pain, others less so.

Since pain itself is considered a subjective feeling, it is not recommended to rely on only one symptom. It is impossible to make a correct diagnosis only on the manifestations of pain. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the organism. It is also worth considering that diseases have a specific nature of pain.

Pain in the center (in the middle) of the upper abdomen is divided into types of pain. They have corresponding symptoms. In patients with certain actions or changes in body position, the stomach hurts at the top in the middle. Not everyone knows what to do and what actions to take.

1. First of all, it is necessary to determine the localization of pain. To do this, lie on your back, feel the abdominal cavity. The most vulnerable painful place is found by palpation.
2. It is necessary to understand what preceded the onset of pain. It should be established because of what the negative consequences began to develop. It may be caused by excessive physical exertion, nervous breakdowns, an improperly selected diet, and the intake of alcoholic beverages.
3. Next, the type of discomfort is determined. Depending on the symptoms that appear, pain is divided into several categories. Consider the most common.

It's a dull pain

Aching pain is not expressed by bright intensity. Therefore, most patients call such manifestations the most harmless. They can occur intermittently or appear constantly.

It is worth considering that this type of pain indicates the initial development of the disease and negative changes in the body.

• Aching pain from above can be triggered by circulatory disorders.
• It also manifests itself due to mechanical damage to internal organs. They can be obtained as a result of a fall from a height, a strong blow to the abdominal cavity.
• Aching pains are manifested due to stretching of the muscles, tendons of the internal organs. The manifestation of discomfort is affected by strong inflammatory processes.
• The cause of the occurrence may be a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Such diseases include gastritis, duodenal ulcer, infectious processes.
• The pain is manifested due to inflammation of the pancreas.
• Development can be affected by diseases of the pelvic organs.
• Nerve endings in the spine may be pinched, causing pain in the upper abdomen.
• The cause may be pathology of the central nervous system.
• Cardiac pain radiating upward into the abdominal cavity.
• Discomfort in the solar plexus, radiating into the abdominal cavity.
• Aching pain occurs due to infection of the abdominal cavity;

acute pain

This type of discomfort is called "acute abdomen". Acute sharp pain requires immediate medical attention. Such patients require surgical treatment.

Acute pain includes a complex of clinical signs that must be confirmed by instrumental or laboratory data. Acute pain can be life threatening. They are manifested due to dangerous diseases, injuries or damage to the organs of the abdomen or pelvis.

Consider the most common causes of discomfort:

Sharp sudden pain can manifest itself with movements, changes in body position. It permeates the ligaments, the muscles of the organs. Therefore, in the common people it is called "dagger". The intensity of this manifestation is different, since each patient perceives the threshold of pain perception in his own way.

Such a negative manifestation may indicate the development of severe pathologies and diseases that threaten human life.

Such diseases include:

1. Damage to the spleen;
2. Epigastric hernia of the white line of the abdomen;
3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
4. Signs of appendicitis;
5. Intestinal obstruction;
6. Chronic stage of enteritis;
7. Chronic stage of colitis;
8. Acute diverticulitis;
9. intestinal infections;
10. intoxication;
11. Renal colic;

Blunt pain

At the initial stage, this type of discomfort is hardly noticeable. But as pathologies and diseases form, the intensity of pain begins to increase. It has a continuous character. It disappears only after the use of painkillers. Able to increase with sudden movements, weight lifting, excessive fluid intake. Also, dull pain can be the result of sharp, sharp or cutting pain.

In this case, subsiding unpleasant manifestations can last for 12-18 hours.

Diseases associated with dull pain include:

1. Cholecystitis of the chronic stage;
2. Urolithiasis;
3. Pyelonephritis;
4. Chronic stage of peptic ulcer;
5. Stomach cancer;
6. Pyloric stenosis;
7. Gastritis, which is accompanied by a reduction in pancreatic secretion;
8. Increased pressure in the portal vein, which can lead to the deposition of blood flow in the spleen. In this case, a congestive increase in the organ may occur. The condition is characteristic of cirrhosis of the liver:

• latent stage;
• Subcompensation stage;
• Decompensation stage;

Girdle pain

Such a manifestation is a painful condition with varying degrees of intensity. Pain can be short-term or last for a long period. The pain can be paroxysmal, encircling the entire upper abdomen. Unpleasant sensations appear after eating fatty, overcooked or spicy foods. Can occur after taking alcoholic beverages.

At the same time, patients feel an unpleasant aftertaste and dry mouth, weakness, and an increase in blood pressure. There is repeated vomiting, after which the pain subsides. Separate girdle skin pain, as well as pain emanating from the internal organs. In this case, damage to the nerve endings or the development of diseases dangerous to human health occurs.

Pain can radiate to the lower back, spine, lower abdomen.

Unpleasant sensations can be the result of the following negative manifestations:

• Dysfunction of the gallbladder, manifested in the form of cholecystitis;
• Violations of the functioning of the pancreas in the form of acute pancreatitis;
• Ulcerative lesions of the duodenum;
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• Development of shingles;

Stitching and cutting pain

Such a negative manifestation is considered a signal for the development of pathological processes in the human body. They have different locations. It can prick both at the top of the abdomen and at the bottom. The left and right side may hurt. They radiate to the back, sacrum, spine, thoracic region and hypochondrium. Pain is aggravated by movements, improperly selected physical activity, shaking in transport, and the presence of stress. But the most important cause of pain is improperly selected food. Cutting syndrome occurs due to the consumption of overcooked, spicy, salted, burnt food, carbonated drinks, and fast food.

Pain may appear intermittently. Therefore, if it hurts in the upper abdomen, then it is necessary to find out the causes by undergoing a complete diagnosis of the body.

All pathological changes are accompanied by diarrhea and nausea. A person's body temperature rises. Attacks of sharp and stabbing pain can cause worms, problems with the genital area, and various inflammations of the digestive tract. Stitching syndrome appears due to the formation of the following diseases:

• Pancreatitis in the acute phase;
• attack of appendicitis;
• Inflammation of the pancreas;
• Acute or chronic form of gastritis;
• Perforation of gastric and duodenal ulcers;
• Development of intestinal infections;

Nagging pain

Such discomfort disturbs patients for a long period. They do not have a pronounced intensity. But they cause great discomfort. Pain indicates the presence of the development of pathologies of the initial stage. Can occur due to stretching of the capsule of the liver or spleen. May be the result of stretching of the ligaments that secure the organs in the pelvis. Unpleasant manifestations can radiate to the left or right side, lower abdomen, back. The stomach, right or left side may get sick. At the same time, the patient feels heaviness, increased negative manifestations during physical activity and weight lifting.

Pulling the upper abdomen can be due to the development of pathologies, an increase in the size of organs.

The main causes of the manifestation of pulling pains:

1. Enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy;
2. Development of an ovarian cyst;
3. Inflammation of the appendix;
4. Inflammatory processes in the intestines, including:

• Crohn's disease;
• diverticulitis;
• Duodenitis;
• Enteritis;
• Colitis;

1. Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
2. Prolonged tonic tension of organs;
3. Chronic prostatitis;
4. The formation of malignant tumors;
5. Chronic stage of sigmoiditis;

Features in men

Pain in men is formed with inflammation of the prostate. They can provoke the development of an acute stage of prostatitis, urethritis, ascending infections, sexual disorders, physical inactivity. The reasons may be:

• interrupted sexual intercourse;
• Rare or violent sex life;
• Sedentary "office" lifestyle;
• The presence of chronic constipation;
• Drinking alcoholic products;

Pain may occur behind or above the pubis.

They radiate to the groin, sacrum, perineum, lower back, and rectum. They can be associated with painful frequent urination. In this case, a person may have an increase in body temperature, weakness, and a decrease in working capacity.

Features in women

If it hurts in the upper abdomen, then this may be the result of inflammatory processes in the internal reproductive organs - the uterus, tubes, ovaries. Unpleasant manifestations are felt at the top or bottom of the abdomen in the iliac regions. May be accompanied by intoxication syndrome in the form of:

• chills;
• Weaknesses;
• loss of appetite;
• dizziness;
• fever;

Localization of pain is above the womb, upper and lower abdomen.

Purulent discharge with blood clots is formed, having an unpleasant odor. Discomfort can radiate to the perineum, sacrum and lower back. Pathologies include:

• Intra-abdominal bleeding;
• Rupture of the ovary;
• Ectopic or ectopic pregnancy;

The stomach hurts during critical days, after blows, falls, complications after a tubal abortion.

In what cases is it urgent to see a doctor?

The patient should contact a professional specialist in the following cases:

• With increased intensity of pain defect;
• If there is a weak effect after taking medications;
• If there are symptoms of intoxication in the form of diarrhea, vomiting;
• With severe sharp or cutting pain during urination;
• If there are blood clots in the stool or urine;
• If the stomach hurts when moving, changing the position of the body;
• If the patient's age is less than 10 and more than 65 years;
• If severe injuries of the abdomen were received when struck, injured, falling from a height, squeezing;
• With a sudden onset of acute pain, provoking awakening during sleep, insomnia;
• In the presence of pain syndrome, accompanied by fever;
• With a strong tension of the abdominal muscles, in which the middle of the abdominal cavity is hard, painful. There is a restriction of the respiratory movement of the abdomen;
• If it hurts in the upper abdomen, the pain syndrome is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat;

The patient can get advice from a therapist, then turn to a gastroenterologist, surgeon, allergist, neurologist, oncologist. The choice of a specialist depends on the developing disease.

Diagnostics

Pain in the center of the abdomen gives patients discomfort and discomfort, which disappear only after treatment. But before prescribing the necessary procedures, you need to undergo a diagnosis of the body. Diagnosis will help to identify the causes of pain. It is very difficult to make a correct diagnosis, since at the moment there are various diseases that cause an identical pain syndrome.

1. First of all, an initial examination should be carried out, on which the simplest manipulations are applied. The specialist can:

• Palpation, which reveals pain, the consistency of the liver and spleen. You can determine whether the pain syndrome increases when pressed.
• Visual inspection, due to which increased gas formation, a change in the shade of the skin, rashes and the manifestation of allergic reactions are determined.
• Auscultation, thanks to which noises are heard with the help of a stethophonendoscope.
• Percussion, which reveals the density of tissues and pain in the upper abdomen.

1. After the initial examination, the patient can be redirected to x-rays. The study lasts no more than ten minutes. This research method consists in the passage of X-ray microbeams through the tissues of the body. The method is able to detect:

• Malignant tumors of the abdominal cavity;
• Formed stones located in the gallbladder or kidneys;
• Pathology of changes in the spine;
• stomach ulcer;
• The presence of abscesses located in the abdominal cavity and liver;
• Diaphragmatic hernia;
• Developing pathologies in the spine;

Depending on the results of the examination, the patient may be prescribed:

1. Computed tomography;
2. Magnetic resonance imaging;
3. Ultrasound procedure;
4. Fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy;
5. Microbiological research methods, including:

• Microscopy;
• Cultural examination;
• Detection of antigens and antibodies;
• polymerase chain reaction;

1. Clinical and biochemical analysis of blood;
2. Clinical and biochemical analysis of urine;

What drugs can be prescribed?

Traditional therapy can be medical or surgical. Tablets or surgery are prescribed depending on the developing disease. If it hurts in the upper abdomen, then the operation is prescribed in the following cases:

• With peritonitis;
• Acute pancreatitis;
• Ulcer or cholecystitis, which are accompanied by internal bleeding;
• When an oncological pathology is detected.

In other cases, drug therapy is prescribed.

Analgesics for pain relief. They are available in the form of injections, tablets or syrups.

Condition prevention

In order to avoid the manifestation of pain, you need to monitor your health and follow simple recommendations:

• More being outdoors. Oxygen nourishes blood vessels, improving blood circulation;
• Monitor your diet. Excessive intake of spicy, overcooked, oversalted, smoked food should be excluded. You should not consume chips, sweet carbonated drinks, fast food;
• Monitor the quality of received products. You should not consume stale food, eat from dirty dishes;
• Do not overeat, do not swallow air while eating;
• Quit smoking, drinking alcohol;
• Do not be near chemical compounds. Do not inhale poisons, steam, exhaust;
• When carrying out medical manipulations, observe the rules of antisepsis and asepsis;
• Spend more time on healthy sleep, eliminate insomnia;

If it hurts in the upper abdomen, then this indicates the presence of pathological changes in the body.

Be sure to watch the following video

In case of manifestation of painful sensations and increased intensity, you should contact a qualified specialist for advice. In the presence of acute unbearable pain, you need to call an ambulance.

Burning in the chest, pain, a feeling of tightness appears in people of a more mature age. They may be associated with disorders of the heart or organs of the digestive tract.

Sometimes these symptoms occur in young people or even children. The cause can be colds, gastritis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, intercostal neuralgia.

With these manifestations, you can accurately determine their location. It can be on the left, in the chest area, on the right, from the back.

They also differ in intensity or have additionally defined symptoms. For example, it can be nausea, vomiting, coughing, a sudden change in temperature, chills, heart rhythm failure.

Patients often associate the onset of pain with eating. In the epigastric region, pain begins 20 minutes after eating. A probable and common cause of pain is a violation in the nature of the diet. If the dish consumed by the patient the day before turned out to be cooked in violation of the rules of the diet or from prohibited foods, the pain persists for several hours.

In selected cases, pain in the stomach disturbs the patient after suffering psycho-emotional stress. Another common cause of stomach pain with gastritis is a smoked cigarette, a cup of black strong coffee. The reaction occurs especially quickly if coffee and cigarettes are “taken” on an empty stomach.

In medicine, this symptom is called gastralgia - discomfort, cramping or acute in nature, which are caused by gastric diseases, severe stress, or the presence of pathologies of other internal organs.

Pain of different intensity and localization is often the main and only symptom of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Such diseases, as a rule, are chronic: they progress slowly, and with the development they cause an increase in symptoms.

To differentiate chest pain and make an accurate diagnosis, doctors conduct a full examination of the patient:

• ultrasound examination of the chest and abdominal cavity;
• x-ray examination;
• electrocardiogram;
• monitoring the work of the heart at rest and during physical exertion;
• CT scan.

Be sure to conduct a survey of the patient - in the anamnesis, previously diagnosed diseases of the cardiovascular system and organs of the gastrointestinal tract can be detected.

The pathogenesis of pain

Given that the main symptom of pain is a spasm of varying intensity (aching, sharp, cramping, dull), the disorder can manifest itself in other ways. The most common associated symptoms are:

• cyanosis of the lips;
• increased body temperature and fainting;
• headache and dizziness;
• loose stools or difficult bowel movements;
• sweating increased;
• vomiting, nausea and belching;
• pallor of the skin;
• weakness;
• intoxication;
• chills and fever;
• hard breath;
• feeling of heaviness under the ribs;
• the stomach changes in size;
• bitterness in the mouth;
• bleeding;
• pain shock.

The reasons

Pain in the upper abdomen can be echoes of pathologies of the spinal column. Deformities of the intervertebral discs allow compression of the nerves that extend from the spinal cord. This leads to painful damage to the internal organs of the upper abdominal cavity.

Aching pains in the pit of the stomach and in the left hypochondrium most often indicate chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa (chronic gastritis).

Perforation of a stomach or duodenal ulcer

This is the most disseminated motive for pain in the upper abdomen in the middle.

It is divided into a number of stages, the first is gastritis, the formation of which provokes an increased acidity of the stomach.

The flow is rapid, so ulcers often form in such an environment.

The patient experiences severe weakness, there is a change from diarrhea to constipation, nausea, vomit, loss of appetite, heartburn and weight loss. A similar picture is due to the fact that proper fragmentation and assimilation of food is not performed. Basically, the agents are:

• malnutrition(fatty, dry, spicy, salty, spicy food), non-compliance with the regime, uncontrolled meals in time and portions;
• acid-resistant infections (Helicobacter pylori) disorganize immune mechanisms, thereby hydrochloric acid corrodes the gastric mucosa over time;
• Alcoholism and smoking- helps to reduce the body's defenses in general, and the formation of various inflammations;
• Stress, endemia associated with circulation and blood viscosity.

A timely visit to a specialist will help to reanimate the proper functioning of the organ, avoid surgical intervention, and also save you from even more serious antagonisms (for example, cancerous tumors, bleeding).

Cholecystitis

This refers to inflammation in the gallbladder, mainly associated with the presence of gallstone disease.

They are formed for a number of reasons - an abundance of calcium, bilirubin, cholesterol.

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels

Chest pain usually depends on one of the organs of the chest (heart, lungs, esophagus) or components of the chest wall (skin, muscles or bones). Sometimes internal organs are located close to the chest, such as the gallbladder or stomach, and when they fail, it causes chest pain.

Chest pain can also be the result of neck pain, this is the so-called referred pain.

Typical angina attack

Chest pain is so common

That some guidelines for diagnosing internal diseases call an angina attack a typical retrosternal pain.

Angina pectoris (angina pectoris) and myocardial infarction are manifestations of coronary heart disease (CHD). IHD is an acute or chronic insufficiency of blood supply to the heart muscle, caused by the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the coronary vessels that feed the myocardium.

The main symptom of angina pectoris is a pressing pain behind the sternum on the left, extending under the left shoulder blade, to the left arm, left shoulder, left little finger. The pain is quite intense, and causes the patient to freeze in place with his hand pressed to his chest.

Additional symptoms of an angina attack: a feeling of fear of death, pallor, cold extremities, increased heart rate, possible arrhythmias and increased blood pressure.

There are pathologies when the lower abdomen hurts and feels sick, characteristic of men. An inguinal hernia without an operation in the infringement is fatal. If there is a state of severe pain, vomiting, loss of consciousness, urgent hospitalization is necessary. Launched prostate adenoma causes a state of urinary retention, manifested by pain symptoms, nausea.

What to do if the stomach hurts and feels sick, urine does not pass well, and the man is afraid to go to the doctor? The state of urinary retention in adenoma can lead to serious consequences, it is necessary to call a doctor who knows how to explain the severity of the disease to the patient.

For women, discomfort can cause menstruation. In young women, before menstruation and a week when it continues, discomfort appears. The pathological condition is provoked by an excessive level of the hormones prostaglandin and progesterone, which are responsible for sensitivity, uterine contractions. An additional symptom is headache.

These pathologies can be accompanied by loss of consciousness, they are extremely dangerous for a woman's life - a doctor's help and hospitalization are needed.

The appearance of similar symptoms against the background of a severe headache will be signs of severe stress, infections of the central nervous system.

Frequent bloating, the causes of which can be very diverse, requires special attention from the patient. There are several predominant factors that cause bloating:

1. Water retention.
2. Irritable bowel syndrome.
3. Hormonal changes.
4. The appearance of various diseases.

Excessive water retention is usually the result of increased salt intake. This condition also indicates low water intake.

When a person doesn't drink enough water, their body "deceives itself" into feeling that it needs to store water.

As a result, the body goes into "starvation mode" and stores water in its cells for future use. This process leads to a feeling of "bloat".

From time to time, bloating can be a symptom of celiac disease and other ailments.

The condition may also be due to a person's consumption of foods to which they are allergic. For example, many people suffer from a type of food allergy called lactose intolerance.

Their range is diverse, since there are many physiological and (or) pathological conditions accompanied by discomfort in the stomach.

Pain associated with pathologies

Pain in the upper abdomen in the middle can cause the following main causes:

1. Systemic overeating.
2. Gastric ulcer (may be in both a child and an adult).
3. Acute or chronic cholecystitis.
4. Pancreatitis.
5. Pathology of the spleen.
6. Improper human nutrition.
7. Inflammation of the appendix.
8. Oncological pathologies.

Consider each cause of this symptom in more detail.

Binge eating

With frequent overeating, a person may develop inflammation of the internal organs due to a violation of their functions. This will lead to constant pressure pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen.

Usually, these pains go away on their own, even without taking additional analgesics. They are especially pronounced when a person overeats in the evening, since at night it is more difficult for the stomach to digest food. In addition, digestion can be helped by taking drugs that improve this process.

The pain of this origin is eliminated very simply - you just need to normalize your diet and eat in small portions.

stomach ulcer

A stomach ulcer belongs to those diseases that provoke pain at the top of the abdomen most often. An ulcer develops with increased acidity of the stomach, which is why its walls are not protected by the mucous layer.

As a separate pathology, gastric ulcer has several stages, each of which is also considered a separate disease.

Pain above the navel is a common symptom of problems with the upper gastrointestinal tract. At a young age, with initial manifestations in 80% of cases, its cause is functional disorders of the digestive system: functional dyspepsia, biliary dyskinesia or irritable bowel syndrome.

Only 20% of such patients initially detect organic pathology (acute or chronic gastritis, or gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, tumors, and so on).

In turn, in older people, organic pathology predominates.

functional dyspepsia

There are two forms: postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome. In the second case, there will be pressing pain above the navel of moderate intensity, heartburn, belching, feeling of heaviness in the stomach, bloating and early satiety are possible. Sometimes there is also vomiting. It is worth noting that functional dyspepsia, like any functional failure in the body, is an exception diagnosis.

Dyskinesia of the gallbladder

It is observed in hypokinetic and hyperkinetic variants. The first form is the cause of dull aching moderate intensity pain in the right hypochondrium.

Painful sensations in the hypomotor form are quite long (several hours). The hyperkinetic variant is characterized by short-term attacks of pain (up to 1 hour).

Patients complain of a sharp pain under the right rib, a violation of the stool (constipation or frustration), a taste of bitterness in the mouth, weakness.

The following reasons can cause heaviness in the stomach:

1. The accumulation of gases in the human gastrointestinal tract. Doctors often call this condition flatulence or painful bloating. The following factors can provoke it:

• aerophagia (a disorder that develops in a healthy person due to excessive swallowing of air when eating). In most cases, it is this that causes bloating;
• Dyspepsia is an upset stomach in which a person's digestive process is difficult. Symptoms of dyspepsia: belching, bloating, heaviness in the stomach after eating;
• gastrointestinal reflux is a disease in which a person inadvertently releases acids from the stomach back into the esophagus. This condition can cause heartburn, pain and heaviness in the stomach.

1. Improper (poorly balanced nutrition) can also cause discomfort and even heaviness in the stomach. As a rule, this is observed when eating "on the run", eating dry food, eating junk food and starvation (following too restrictive diets, due to which the stomach disrupts its functions).
2. Overeating or eating at night can contribute to the appearance of chronic heaviness in the stomach. At the same time, excess food is not only harmful to this organ, it can also cause a general deterioration in digestion and constipation.
3. The use of indigestible foods. These include:

• raw fish and meat (semi-fried steaks, sushi, etc.);
• mushrooms;
• cabbage;
• potato;
• beans;
• semi-finished products;
• sausages;
• smoked meats, etc.

In this case, the walls of the stomach will be strongly irritated, causing nausea and other unpleasant symptoms.

1. Smoking and frequent drinking can cause not only heaviness, but also pain in the stomach. Moreover, it is these bad habits that most often cause the development of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Lack of useful trace elements and other substances in the diet.
3. Nutrition with strong psycho-emotional overstrain, depression and stress will disrupt digestion. In this condition, a person may also experience discomfort, burning and stomach pain.

1. Pregnancy. The heaviness in the stomach in this state is due to the fact that the fetus is constantly growing, so every month the pressure on the stomach increases, provoking the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Moreover, in the early stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother is worried about toxicosis, and in the later stages - increased intra-abdominal pressure. It also plays an important role in the appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

In most cases, the causes of stomach pain can be:

1. Inflammation of the appendix can be manifested by painful sensations in the stomach, which are given to the lower abdomen and the right side of the person's peritoneum. In this case, in addition to pain, symptoms of inflammation of appendicitis will be:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• headache.

Pain in the stomach can cause diseases of the stomach itself, as well as pathologies of other organs and systems of the human body. The main question in this case is the violation of which particular organ caused pain in the epigastric region. qualified

can only be carried out by a professional doctor. Therefore, if you feel pain in the abdomen, it will be unwise, and sometimes even dangerous, to self-diagnose and begin self-medication.

When a person is faced with pain in the left side of the stomach, it is easy enough to jump to conclusions about the current state of health of the body without any distinctive evidence about the actual state.

Often these conditions are not a sign of anything serious unless the pain in the abdomen on the left persists for a long time.

If this is the case, then this may be a manifestation of kidney stones or stomach ulcers, which can be detected by making a visit to a medical specialist.

Often, when the body is not getting enough fiber or water, it will retain waste and stool elimination will not be effective.

This phenomenon is often called constipation, which causes cramps and tenderness of the stomach (especially to the left of it).

The pain is often felt in the left side of the abdomen and can often be treated with laxative medications.

In more severe cases, pain in the abdomen on the left side may indicate the formation of kidney stones, which are small and dense deposits of mineral deposits in the kidneys.

Pain in the left side usually suggests that the left kidney is affecting the stomach.

Complaints of pain on the right in the upper abdomen can be caused by problems with the gallbladder, duodenum, stomach, esophagus and liver.

Abdominal pain on the right side due to inflammation of the gallbladder

The most common cause of inflammation of the gallbladder are stones formed in it. Less commonly, the gallbladder can become inflamed due to bacteria.

Symptoms of inflammation appear acutely through sudden stabbing pains in the abdomen on the right side from above, which can radiate to the back or to the right shoulder.

Often the body temperature rises, chills and vomiting appear. The stool may be discolored, the mucous membranes and skin of the face may turn slightly yellow.

Pain due to duodenal diverticulosis

Patients complain of pain in the right hypochondrium, radiating to the back and right shoulder blade. They can take on an enveloping character.

Pain in the upper abdomen due to peptic ulcer

If the cause of the pain is a peptic ulcer, then it can be described as pressing and burning. Pain is manifested in the right hypochondrium and in the iliac region. An important sign is that the pain appears shortly after eating. They may be accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, and black stools.

Upper right abdominal pain due to inflammation of the esophagus

If the contents of the stomach are constantly thrown into the esophagus, then this leads to damage to the mucous membrane. The reason for this is the ingestion of food along with gastric juice. The inflamed mucosa of the esophagus causes pain in the iliac region and they can be given to the right hypochondrium.

Other signs of this disease, which in medicine is called reflux esophagitis, are sour belching and heartburn. Most often, an aggravation occurs when a healthy diet is violated.

Abdominal pain due to liver disease

The causes of abdominal pain can be disorders that are not related to the abdominal organs. These are diseases such as neuralgia, pneumonia. About the symptoms of these diseases can be found in the article "Abdominal pain on the left" and "Abdominal pain".

We wish you good health!

Data-matched-content-rows-num="4.2"
data-matched-content-columns-num="1,2"
data-matched-content-ui-type="image_stacked"
data-ad-format="autorelaxed"

Pain in the upper abdomen cannot be an independent manifestation - it often occurs against the background of various diseases or inflammatory processes of organs anatomically located at the top of the abdomen. But in some cases, pain in this area may be due to irradiation of sensations from other parts of the body, including other areas of the abdomen, chest and back.

Despite the fact that spasms in some people can be expressed rather mildly, while in others - sharply, you should not delay a visit to the doctor, especially if the discomfort lasts more than an hour. The most common symptoms of diseases of the upper abdomen are diarrhea, alternating, general weakness of the body, bouts of nausea with vomiting. If any disorder is accompanied by bleeding, you should immediately call an ambulance, but in no case should you try to eliminate this process yourself with massage and strong palpation, since this can only increase bleeding.

Often in the late stages of pregnancy, a woman notices that her upper abdomen hurts - this is due to the growth of the child in the womb and its movements. But if the spasms were localized on the right side, this indicates a chronic or acute course of the disease - in most cases it was not acquired during the period of bearing a child, but arose long before that.

Pain localization is important in diagnosis and treatment. For example, if spasms occur on the left side, then the person may have problems with the esophagus or stomach, small intestine or rectum, and also with the pancreas. In cases where soreness manifested itself on the right side, these are problems with the liver, gallbladder or colon. The intensity of the pain can also tell a lot. In some diseases, it can be acute, and in other cases, barely noticeable. The pain becomes sharper under the influence of microorganisms - in such cases, pus may form. With tissue necrosis, soreness can spread to all parts of the abdomen, become girdle and radiate to other parts of the body or organs.

Etiology

As mentioned above, many diseases can act as factors for the occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen, and they are not always directly related to the organs located in this particular part. Often, abdominal pain is provoked by blood diseases, metabolic disorders, or hormonal imbalances. The most common diseases that cause pain in the upper abdomen are:

• - is complicated by the fact that perforation can occur, due to which the contents that were in the stomach enter the abdominal cavity. The pain is felt on the left;
• damage to the mucous membrane of this organ when - the pain is localized in the left side of the abdomen and intensifies after eating;
• inflammatory process in the gallbladder. Most often, the pain syndrome appears against the background of the formation of stones. Spasms are localized on the right side and can last from twenty minutes to several hours;
• inflammation of the pancreas. Often occurs due to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or is caused by some hereditary factors. The main symptoms are pain on the left side, nausea and frequent vomiting. Spasms are worse after inspiration and spread to the back;
• various diseases affecting the spleen. Since this organ becomes inflamed quite rarely, a person may not always feel any symptoms, but if the pain is expressed, then it is most severe on the left. Most often, discomfort occurs due to an increase in the volume of the organ;
• various pathologies of the spine cause aching pain on the right or left. This is often observed with injuries or tumors of the spine;
• , in particular its posterior wall, leads to pain in the abdomen of varying intensity. It can range from barely noticeable to unbearable. Symptoms in this case will only be vomiting and cramps on the left side of the abdomen;
• - despite the fact that the process is located in the lower abdomen, with an acute course, the pain syndrome can be localized in the upper right part of the abdomen (but after a certain time it goes down);
• , in which there is an expansion of the orifice of the organ. With this disorder, a person often does not feel any discomfort, since tissue damage does not occur. The most common cause of pain in women during pregnancy;
• oncological neoplasms in organs such as the esophagus, stomach, liver, bladder and pancreas. With such an ailment, the pain will be girdle and often spread to other organs, depending on where the metastases go;
• abdominal trauma. Possible factors for the occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen include -, or the liver, the occurrence of hematomas from a severe bruise.

In addition, the causes of pain in the upper abdomen include diseases or processes such as:

• different origin;
• , i.e., inflammation of the abdominal cavity itself;
• congenital pathologies, among which;
• various, for example, when eating stale food, excessive intake of alcoholic beverages or drugs, as well as from chemical elements;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system provoke the appearance of pain on the left and right in the upper abdomen;
• eating large amounts of fatty foods, especially at bedtime;
• various genetic disorders;
• taking medications, the side effects of which can cause pain in the upper abdomen;
• pregnancy. Due to the enlargement of the uterus, there is pressure on some of the internal organs, which, in turn, cause cramps in the upper abdomen. In this case, the pain will be localized in the middle and often spread to the lower back. If the cause was any disorder that progressed even before the onset of pregnancy, all methods of therapy, including surgery, will be carried out only after childbirth.

Symptoms

Although the main symptom of pain in the upper abdomen is cramps of varying intensity (for example, from aching pain to sharp pain), this disorder may be accompanied by other signs that appear depending on the underlying disease. The most common among them:

• increase in body temperature;
• persistent nausea and vomiting;
• dizziness and severe headaches;
• constipation, followed by diarrhea, and vice versa;
• increased sweating;
• general weakness of the body;
• the acquisition of skin integument of a pale shade;
• fever;
• change in the size of the abdomen;
• blue lips;
• bleeding, due to which a person can lose consciousness;
• labored breathing;
• heaviness under the ribs, on the left or on the right side, depending on what served as a factor in the appearance of pain;
• the appearance of bitterness in the oral cavity.

These symptoms are very important to thoroughly study during pregnancy, since some of them are characteristic of this particular period in a woman's life.

Diagnostics

If there is pain in the upper abdomen, without a complete examination of the patient, it is rather difficult to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment. Even if a person provides complete information about what symptoms bother him, on which side (on the right or on the left) the pain is most intense, this is not enough to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, it is also necessary to provide information about the course of pregnancy. Therefore, diagnostic measures include:

Care should be taken when diagnosing women during pregnancy, since not all methods can be carried out during this period.

Treatment

Depending on the factor in the occurrence of acute pain in the upper abdomen on the right or left side, the patient may be prescribed several methods of treatment.