The pain is superficial in the upper abdomen. Pain in the upper abdomen: possible causes. Problems in neurology

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 strong. 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, 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.

These tables do not list everything, of course. The most common erroneous action of patients, when the stomach hurts, is taking painkillers, especially with severe and prolonged pain. Pain is one of the protective functions of the body, which signals various diseases. And, having got rid of pain, we do not eliminate the cause of its occurrence. With severe and prolonged pain in the abdomen, when a visit to the doctor is simply necessary, taking painkillers can complicate the correct diagnosis.

For a more complete understanding of the diversity of causes of abdominal pain, we present a modern classification of the most common pains.

Classification of abdominal pain

I. Abdominal pain associated with abdominal causes

II. Pain associated with extraperitoneal causes

III. Metabolic Causes

IV. Neurological/psychiatric causes

V. Toxic Causes

VI. Undefined Mechanisms

And a little more detail about the causes of abdominal pain in their localization, tk. it allows you to more accurately determine the scope of the differential diagnosis.

Causes of abdominal pain depending on location

Cause diffuse non-localized pain can be:

Gastroenteritis
Mesenteric ischemia
Bowel obstruction
irritable bowel syndrome
Peritonitis
Diabetes
Malaria
Familial Mediterranean Fever
Metabolic diseases
Psychiatric diseases

Doctors classify abdominal pain as a rubric R10 in the International Classification of Diseases ICD-10.

Professional medical publications related to abdominal pain

Discomfort in the abdomen is a common complaint among people of all ages. The causes of the development of discomfort in most cases are associated with a violation in the functioning of the digestive tract. Pain in the upper abdomen is the most alarming symptom.

Depending on the intensity, nature of pain and associated symptoms, one or another pathology can be assumed. It is possible to reliably find out the cause of pain only after conducting laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods.

Abdominal pain is a serious symptom

Upper abdomen as an anatomical region

In anatomy, the part of the abdomen bounded at the top by the sternum, costal arches on the sides and the line connecting the lower ribs from below is called the epigastrium. The following organs are projected onto the upper abdomen:

• right hepatic lobe;
• transition of the ascending colon into the transverse colon;
• gallbladder;
• left hepatic lobe;
• stomach;
• abdominal part of the esophagus;
• pancreas;
• bottom of the stomach;
• duodenum;
• tail of the pancreas;
• transition of the transverse colon to the descending colon.

Topography of the abdominal organs

Diseases that accompany epigastric pain

From the side of the liver and gallbladder:

• hepatitis;

From the intestines:

• colitis;

From the side of the small intestine:

• mucosal inflammation;
• duodenal ulcer.

From the side of the stomach:

• gastritis;
• peptic ulcer;
• food poisoning;

From the side of the pancreas:

Diaphragm side:

From the side of the esophagus:

Emergency conditions that are accompanied by epigastric pain:

• hepatic colic;
• acute appendicitis;
• perforation of a stomach ulcer;
• peritonitis;
• gastralgic form of myocardial infarction;
• pancreatic necrosis.

Pathologists of the liver and gallbladder

Acute hepatitis

With inflammation of the hepatic parenchyma, the patient is concerned about mild or moderate pain on the right. An increase in the size of the liver is determined by palpation and percussion. The hepatic edge is painful, dense. Hepatitis is accompanied by yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.

Diagnosis is by sonographic examination and laboratory blood tests for transaminase and alkaline phosphatase.

Acute cholecystitis

Appears as a result of a violation of the diet. The pain syndrome is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• medium and high pain intensity;
• localization - right hypochondrium, but the attack begins in;
• nausea, vomiting;
• increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees.

In acute cholecystitis, the following symptoms are positive:

• Kera - soreness with pressure in the projection of the gallbladder;
• Ortner - pain when tapping on the right costal arch.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical picture, ultrasound and laboratory diagnostics.

hepatic colic

This is an emergency condition that develops due to a violation of the outflow of bile from the gallbladder and hepatic ducts. A common cause is the exit of the calculus into the lumen of the duct and blockage of it. Pain in hepatic colic is intense, paroxysmal. Localization in the right hypochondrium. The attack is due to a violation of the diet on the background of cholelithiasis.

Important! Hepatic colic, if it is not stopped in a short time, is complicated by obstructive jaundice.

Bowel disease

Colitis

Inflammatory processes in the transverse colon and in the places of its transition to other departments are accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen.

Acute colitis occurs with excruciating, paroxysmal pain, increasing in intensity. For chronic pathology of the intestine is characterized by constant mild pain. Depending on the cause of the development of colitis, the pain syndrome will be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• With infectious colitis - nausea, diarrhea, green or yellow stools, rumbling, fever;
• and Crohn's disease - diarrhea from 5 to 20 times a day, bowel movements with mucus, blood;
• Helminthic colitis - constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, subfebrile temperature, weight loss, allergies, itching in the perianal area;
• Dysbacteriosis due to antibiotics - diarrhea, flatulence, spastic pain, fatigue, decreased performance.

Diagnosis of colitis is based on instrumental methods - irrigoscopy, colonoscopy.

Duodenitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine can be divided according to etiology into several groups:

1. Duodenitis associated with gastritis is manifested by intense sucking pain at the top of the abdomen on an empty stomach. After a meal, after a few hours, the pain resumes. Nighttime hunger pains are also typical.
2. Duodenitis with the spread of the process to the entire small intestine is characterized by dyspeptic manifestations and pain of moderate intensity.

A little intense, aching pain in the upper abdomen is characteristic of a chronic process in the duodenum in remission.

The correct diagnosis is made on the basis of data from fibrogastroduodenal examination.

duodenal ulcer

A defect in the intestinal mucosa is often associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The pain increases in intensity, begins 2 hours after eating and on an empty stomach. Pain in the middle of the night of high intensity, disappear after drinking a glass of milk or any food. In addition to pain, patients complain of dyspepsia. Against the background of the existence of an ulcer, attacks of pancreatitis and cholecystitis often develop.

It is possible to identify damage to the mucosa using FGDS with pH measurement and duodenal juice sampling.

Diseases of the stomach

Gastritis

A common pathology among the young population. Improper nutrition leads to inflammation of the gastric mucosa and the appearance of pain in the epigastrium. Symptoms are as follows:

• pain in the upper abdomen a few hours after eating;
• lying pain subsides, standing and sitting increases;
• eating is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, belching and heartburn;
• on an empty stomach unpleasant;
• increased gas formation in the intestines;
• distension in the upper abdomen.

Diagnosis is based on the visualization of mucosal damage using gastroscopy.

Stomach ulcer

In most cases, Helicobacter pylori infection is involved in the formation of an ulcer. Pain in peptic ulcer disease has a different localization depending on the place of formation of the defect.

Pain in the upper abdomen under the xiphoid process is characteristic of a stomach ulcer. The food bolus, entering the stomach, irritates the receptors and stimulates a pain attack. If the ulcer is located in the cardiac region and on the back wall of the stomach, then the symptoms appear immediately after eating. With an ulcer located closer to the pyloric region, the pain syndrome develops a few hours after eating and on an empty stomach. The more food enters the stomach, the more intense the pain.

Important! Serious complication of an ulcer - perforation of the stomach wall at the site of the defect. The process leads to the release of gastric contents into the abdominal cavity. A characteristic sign of ulcer perforation is dagger pain in the upper abdomen. With untimely assistance, diffuse inflammation of the peritoneum develops.

Appendicitis

The attack is manifested by pain in the epigastric region, which migrates to the right iliac region within an hour. Then the typical symptoms of peritoneal irritation appear.

Peritonitis

Never develops as a primary disease. Inflammation of the peritoneum is always a complication of the pathology of the abdominal cavity or small pelvis. In the initial stage, the pain is local in nature at the site of the source of inflammation.

Reasons for the development of peritonitis of the upper floor of the abdominal cavity:

• rupture of the gallbladder filled with calculi;
• intestinal perforation;
• pancreatic necrosis;
• perforation of a stomach or duodenal ulcer.

Important! The course of peritonitis is rapid, a few hours after its development, the terminal stage is formed, the patient's condition becomes extremely severe.

food poisoning

Cramps in the upper abdomen, accompanied by profuse repeated vomiting, first of gastric contents, and then of bile, indicate poisoning. When the small and large intestines are involved in the process, soreness spreads throughout the abdomen. The infection is accompanied by chills, fever, bone aches and muscle pain.

Pathologies of the pancreas

pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreatic parenchyma develops after a food error. After eating fried, fatty or spicy, aching pain appears in the upper abdomen. The intensity increases, the pain from localized becomes diffuse, girdle. It is typical for an attack of acute pancreatitis that a person tosses about in bed, unable to find a position to relieve suffering. The symptom is most pronounced lying on the back.

Chronic pancreatitis is also accompanied by pain, but much less intensity. Patients are more concerned about abdominal discomfort and indigestion.

Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture and ultrasound scanning.

Pancreatic necrosis

An emergency condition in the pathology of the pancreas is pancreatic necrosis. In this case, the parenchyma of the gland is destroyed under the action of its own enzymes. The pain is localized in the upper abdomen. By nature, it is sharp, gives to the left half of the body. Associated symptoms:

1. • repeated vomiting;
   • temperature rise;
   • diarrhea;
   • blue-violet spots on the abdomen on the left, lumbar region.

Hiatal hernia

This is a hernia of the opening of the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes. The condition is accompanied by the exit of part of the stomach into the chest cavity. In half of the patients it is an accidental diagnostic finding, but sometimes there are severe symptoms:

• burning at the top of the abdomen and below behind the sternum;
• heartburn, belching of overcooked food;
• swallowing disorder.

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out using radiopaque examination.

Esophagitis

Inflammation of the lower esophagus due to hydrochloric acid from the stomach is called gastroesophageal reflux disease. The condition is closely related to gastric ulcer, Helicobacter persistence. Pain during the passage of food through the esophagus spreads from the retrosternal localization to the upper abdomen. The patient complains of burning heartburn after eating.

An important indicator of a malfunction in the body is pain. This is a kind of signal for the brain to take urgent action. When it hurts at the top of the abdomen, you need to be especially careful. This is how the pathology of organs is manifested not only in the abdominal cavity, but in the chest, spine.

Digestive problems

Often the upper abdomen suffers from problems due to poor nutrition. Overeating, eating fatty, fried foods in large volumes, a hearty dinner late at night respond with aching, pulling pains. Gastritis, ulcers are characterized by cramping soreness. An attack of pain from a stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer often occurs at night. In addition to medicines, a glass of warm milk will help to calm down.

Soreness with advanced gastritis with low acidity will have a different character. The feeling of fullness in the stomach in the upper abdomen will continue for a long time. Such an unpleasant sensation will not pass, even when everything should already be digested. With reduced production of hydrochloric acid, diarrhea, poor appetite, and belching with a rotten taste are characteristic.

For people suffering from stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, there is a predisposition to heartburn, prolonged constipation, belching with a sour taste, and increased appetite.

A sharp pain, similar to a dagger strike from above the abdominal cavity, means a breakthrough (perforation) of the ulcer - the formation of a through hole on the muscle layer of the organ. The abdominal muscles will begin to resemble the rigidity of the board, the patient will rush about, not finding a place for himself. Urgent help from doctors is needed, there is a risk of developing inflammation of the abdominal part. This is a dangerous condition, often leading to death.

Another reason for pain in the upper abdomen can be a neoplasm of the stomach of a malignant nature. According to medical statistics, a stomach ulcer rarely degenerates into a cancerous tumor, more often polyps do it. Soreness is noted already in the later stages, when it becomes constant, strong, develops more at night. The girdle characteristic of painful sensations is noted in metastases when they spread to other organs.

gallbladder problems

Pain in the upper abdomen can cause cholecystitis. This inflammation inside the gallbladder is often a complication of gallstone disease. For various reasons, the outflow of bile is disturbed, which causes the formation of stones. They are not formed immediately, it is a long process. Problems happen with large pebbles that have sharp edges.

In the chronic course of the pathology, pain is not expressed strongly, with aching manifestations in the area located just below the stomach. When moving the stones, strong, sharp pains are felt. They are felt in the upper part of the abdominal cavity, on the right under the ribs. The duration of the attacks is significant from 30 minutes to several painful hours.

If a sharp rise in temperature above 38 ° C is connected to pain in cholecystitis, an urgent need to call doctors. There is a risk of rupture of the bile duct, the development of peritonitis.

Pancreas: possible pathologies

Pain in the upper abdomen can be a manifestation of pancreatic disease. The anatomical position of the organ provokes the spread of an unpleasant feeling in this particular area. The main disease is pancreatitis - inflammation of the gland. The main task of the pancreas is the production of digestive enzymes in an inactive form. When they enter the intestines, they are activated, begin to process food.

In case of a disease, for example, when the duct is blocked by a stone, the enzymes cannot leave the gland, they become activated, and begin to process it. Severe pains will be felt at the top of the abdominal cavity, which encircle the body like a strap. It is life-threatening, so a person with such symptoms is hospitalized for treatment in a hospital.

The inflammatory process can take place gradually - this is a chronic form. Healthy organ tissue is replaced by connective tissue, which is not capable of performing the functions of a gland. Digestive enzymes are produced little, over time there is a lack of insulin. There are characteristic symptoms:

• pulling pains on top of the abdomen;
• frequent diarrhea;
• increased gas formation;
• belching;
• bouts of nausea;
• weight loss;
• development of diabetes.

To cope with the signs at an early stage is possible with the help of a special diet. Timely drug therapy brings positive results.

Pain at the top of the abdomen is noted with pancreatic cancer. The strength of the pain syndrome will depend on the location of the neoplasm. Localization in the head of the gland will block the patency of the common duct, so it will look like severe painful attacks. With a return to the spine, lower back, it will resemble unbearable drilling when metastases begin to grow into the solar plexus.

Liver: possible diseases

With the ingestion of a bacterial or viral infection in the liver, hepatitis develops. No one is immune from infection. In addition to the three types of hepatitis, another toxic variant appeared, which arises from a large amount of toxic substances - allergens in the body. These can be antibiotics, alcoholic beverages, contraceptives, household chemicals.

Type of hepatitis

Hepatitis A

Transmission occurs through the use of contaminated food, dirty water.

Hepatitis B

The main mode of transmission of the virus is through the blood. You can also get infected through unprotected sexual contact, using other people's hygiene products. In manicure and pedicure salons due to non-compliance with the rules for sterilizing devices. Drug addicts are at risk.

Hepatitis C

The method of transmission is through the blood, through contact with infected people.

The main symptoms of hepatitis of any kind will be a sudden yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, redness of the urine.

Possible pathologies of the spleen

The organ is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity, but an increase during pathology makes it possible for discomfort to spread over the surface in all directions. Acute, unexpected pain marks the rupture of the spleen. It occurs due to a blow to this part of the abdominal cavity or due to illness. These are infectious pathologies, with them the spleen is greatly enlarged. The condition is dangerous because of the possibility of losing a large amount of blood.

Another cause for pain is a spleen infarction. This is the name given to the sudden interruption of the blood supply. The cause will be, for example, the ingress (or formation on the spot) of a blood clot in a blood vessel. The blockage cuts off the flow of blood and oxygen. The tissues of the organ die, which leads to sharp pains on the left and at the top of the abdominal cavity. Surgical treatment is provided, usually with the removal of the spleen.

Abscess of the spleen is a rare pathology, with it there is an accumulation of a large volume of pus. With the blood flow, pyogenic microorganisms from other parts of the body enter the spleen. The pain syndrome will increase when you press on the spleen. Due to the ingress of toxic substances into the blood, intoxication of the body will occur - the temperature will rise, the head, muscles, and joints will ache.

Diaphragm damage

The abdominal and thoracic cavities are separated in the body with the help of a special wide muscle - the diaphragm. The esophagus passes through a special hole in the middle of the chest part, connecting with the stomach. In diseases, with age, the muscles of the opening of the diaphragm weaken, stretch, and cannot hold the internal organs in their places. They have the ability to move through the hole, more often a small part of the stomach goes up. This is how a diaphragmatic hernia occurs. In this case, a slight discomfort will be felt after eating.

The danger is the infringement of the hernia, in which there will be a clamping of the blood vessels, nerve endings.

Symptoms of a strangulated hernia:

• vomiting pieces of undigested food;
• strong belching;
• heartburn;
• difficulty swallowing hard foods;
• poor appetite.

If the stomach presses on the heart, then there is shortness of breath, disruption of the heart, discomfort behind the sternum with a deep breath.

Spine - probable causes

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.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region gives pain, reminiscent of pain in gastritis, they are easy to confuse. But the soreness of the spine is not associated with food intake, it does not respond to the sharpness and fat content of dishes. It increases more often in the second half of the day, decreases after a night or a long rest. Such differences help in the diagnosis.

Pain from the top of the abdomen may indicate a back injury, neoplasms of the spine, metastases, or inflammatory diseases of the membranes of the spinal cord. Soreness with such pathologies does not have a bright intensity, it is not expressed by strong attacks. Therefore, if it hurts at the top of the abdomen, and the cause cannot be found, you should pay attention to the spine.

Special form of heart attack

With necrosis of the posterior wall of the heart muscle, the upper abdominal cavity will hurt. This is due to the proximity of this part of the heart to the diaphragm. Such a gastralgic form of a heart attack is accompanied by bouts of nausea, a single vomiting. But there will be signs characteristic of the pathology of the heart muscle:

• unstable pulse;
• high blood pressure;
• dyspnea;
• failures of cardiac activity.

Helps to recognize a heart attack, the connection of an attack with stress of a physical or nervous origin, a history of ischemic pathology. If in doubt, an ECG is performed. To save a person's life, hospitalization is needed if a possible myocardial infarction is suspected.

Waiting for a baby

During the nine months of pregnancy, numerous restructuring takes place, which can provoke an exacerbation of existing diseases, the appearance of other diseases. Sometimes they become causes of abdominal discomfort.

At the initial stage, special hormones are produced to attach a fertilized egg. They affect the work of various internal organs, their activity hurts the upper abdomen. The spasms are not strong, similar to the "hungry" pains of gastritis, but do not calm down after eating. It will become easier if you lie down in a comfortable position. After the action of hormones, everything is normal.

As the fetus grows and develops, it begins to put pressure on the internal organs, which makes it difficult for them to work. It is possible to pinch the vessels of the intestine, the displacement of its loops. Such conditions provoke an exacerbation of chronic pathologies. Pain syndrome develops due to stretching of muscles, ligaments. The connection of toxicosis of a pregnant woman only complicates the situation.

Injuries

Soreness from above the abdominal cavity occurs when a blunt abdominal injury is received. This can happen during a blow, a fall from a height, an emergency, an emergency, a natural disaster. The danger of blunt trauma - there is no dissection of the skin, which means that it remains invisible whether there was damage or not. A person may have an organ damaged, there is internal bleeding, but until there are external signs, it is difficult to notice. Only pain will tell you what is happening inside.

Symptoms of possible damage:

• fracture, cracked ribs - soreness is burning, constant, increases during inhalation, coughing, sneezing;
• rupture of the spleen - a sharp, unbearable pain. From loss of blood, a person loses consciousness;
• liver rupture - severe pain. Blood is poured into the organ, a person can lose consciousness from pain, but he also loses a lot of blood, it is necessary to call doctors.

Blood loss poses a potential threat to life, it is necessary to call doctors, deliver the victims to a medical facility. Rupture of organs requires surgical intervention.

Diagnostic methods

To answer the question - why it hurts from above the abdominal cavity, a diagnostic examination helps the specialist. There are many diseases with such a symptom, tests will help clarify the diagnosis. A series of light pressures on special points of a certain force will allow the doctor to clarify the intensity of pain, the position in the abdominal cavity.

If necessary, an ultrasound examination of internal organs, tomography, x-rays are prescribed. These methods allow you to identify swelling, growths, tears. If a disease of certain organs is suspected, special studies are prescribed. A colonoscopy helps to look inside the intestines. To identify the presence of polyps, the growth of tumors, the appearance of obstruction. Endoscopy is used to examine the esophagus and stomach.

For laboratory studies, tissue samples or the mucous layer of organs are taken. Carry out general and special tests of blood, urine, feces. Gynecologists, oncologists, surgeons are invited for additional consultations.

If you are pregnant, even at an early stage, you should definitely notify your doctor. At this time, some types of diagnostics cannot be performed.

Summarizing

Upper abdominal pain is caused by various causes. Only a specialist, based on the data of a diagnostic examination, will figure out what happened. If any medication is used at this time, it must be shown to the doctor. It is impossible to self-medicate or take medicinal tinctures, decoctions, use traditional medicine recipes. You must first establish the disease.

In the acute period of the disease, it is necessary to be treated only with medicines, traditional medicine, herbal medicine is allowed during remission.

You can get sick at any most inopportune time. It is important not to get confused, to take measures for recovery. It is better, knowing information about possible pathologies, to take effective preventive measures.

Soreness of the stomach may indicate a temporary dysfunction of the organ or the development of a serious pathology. Therefore, the first thing to do with recurring types of pain is to consult a doctor. The specialist, based on the results of the examination, tests and diagnostics, will find out the cause of the discomfort and prescribe a course of therapy if necessary. Self-medication for abdominal pain of unknown etiology is unacceptable.

Causes and symptoms

Pain in the upper abdomen in the middle appear as a result of exposure to various factors - from minor to serious. If pain is ignored for a long time, serious diseases with severe complications may develop. Sources of pain:

1. Abuse of alcohol, coffee. Alcohol-containing drinks and caffeine provoke the production of gastric juice, the excess of which negatively affects the condition of the gastric mucosa.
2. Smoking. Nicotine disrupts blood flow in the walls.
3. Stress. The organs of the gastrointestinal tract are especially susceptible.
4. Large doses of aspirin. This type of painkiller, when used regularly, leads to ulceration of the stomach lining.
5. Pancreatic dysfunction.
6. Nutritional errors.

All of the above causes cause sharp, paroxysmal pain in the left intercostal space. These factors provoke the development of pathologies of the stomach and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract. With different diseases, the nature and intensity of pain varies over a wide range. Cutting pain in the middle left of the abdominal wall is the result of:

• burns with alkalis or acids;
• food poisoning (accompanied by belching, heartburn).

With heaviness and bursting in the epigastric zone with dull, weak pain sensations, one should suspect:

• gastritis, accompanied by a reduction in pancreatic secretion;
• pyloric stenosis;
• stomach cancer;
• peptic ulcer in the chronic phase.

Severe pain characterizes an acute ulcer or an exacerbation of a chronic pathology of the stomach and duodenum 12. If acute dagger pain occurs with high intensity, perforation of the ulcer with the release of gastric contents into the abdominal cavity or an exacerbation of the chronic form of another disease should be suspected:

• acute pancreatitis with reflux into the abdominal cavity of enzymes that break down proteins;
• colic with spasm of the smooth muscles of the gallbladder when the stone is stuck;
• perforation of the colon;
• peritonitis;
• rupture of the liver.

With soreness and nausea, diseases of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver are suspected:

• gastritis;
• pancreatitis;
• hepatitis;
• ulcer;
• cholecystitis;
• food poisoning (belching joins the symptoms).

Less often, pathologies of the central nervous system are possible. Symptoms occur after eating with additional stress on the diseased organ. Soreness in the upper abdomen and diarrhea accompany a violation of the process of digestion and absorption of food due to the development of:

• stomach ulcers, when digestion and absorption in the intestines are disturbed, which causes diarrhea;
• pancreatitis, when there is a lack of digestive enzymes;
• cholecystitis, when bile flow is disturbed, and fats are not absorbed in the intestine;
• irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by diffuse pain and alternating constipation with diarrhea.

Soreness at the top under the ribs on the left and temperature appear with any inflammatory processes or food poisoning. Pain syndrome with temperature occurs:

• with gastritis (temperature not higher than 38 ° C);
• stomach ulcer (temperature above 38 ° C);
• pancreatitis in the acute phase (fever with rapidly changing indicators);
• food poisoning (above 39 ° C, depending on the type of microbe that caused the process).

In all cases, the first thing to do is to go to a specialist for help.

Diseases of the stomach that cause painful spasms in the upper middle of the abdomen

1. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa or gastritis. Signs: sudden pain at the top in the epigastrium, bad breath, nausea on an empty stomach or after eating, migraine, heartburn. The pain syndrome goes away on its own within two days.
2. Dyspepsia of the stomach - dysfunction of the organ, difficulty and soreness of digestion. Signs: pain syndrome on top of the epigastrium, nausea, loss of appetite, bloating, heaviness in the stomach. Occurs against the background of pancreatic dysfunction.
3. Peptic ulcer of the stomach - ulceration of the mucosa of the organ. Signs: pain after eating, heaviness, pressure.
4. Gastric cancer - malignant tumors with metastases in nearby and distant tissues. The precursors are ulcers and gastritis. Symptoms are similar to those of an ulcer. At the same time, there is weight loss.

What to do?

Do not take painkillers before going to the doctor for pain in the middle of the upper abdomen, as this will make it difficult to make a diagnosis and choose the appropriate type of treatment. It is forbidden to warm up, but you can apply ice. The most dangerous pains are those that are accompanied by fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious illness that only a specialist can cure. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor in the following cases:

• the appearance of sharp, severe pain, in which it is difficult to move, begins to feel sick, and the duration is several days;
• the occurrence of pain in the stomach with diarrhea, constipation, spotting, fever;
• the occurrence of pain in the upper section under the ribs, while the urine darkens, the skin and whites around the eyes turn yellow;
• duration of spasms for more than 30 minutes without cessation;
• the appearance of painful sensations with vomiting, sweating, squeezing of internal organs, difficulty breathing.

Treatment is prescribed depending on the type of disease, its stage of development. In the absence of pathologies, the pain syndrome is stopped by simple actions. What do we have to do:

• Eat properly.
• Observe the mode of activity and rest.
• To refuse from bad habits.
• Avoid stress.