Cramp-like pain in the upper abdomen | Pain in the middle of the upper abdomen

Cramp-like pain in the upper abdomen

Pain in the middle of the upper abdomen, which can be crampy and intermittent, may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome. They often occur in combination with diarrhea and a feeling of restlessness in the bowel and can be triggered by special situations such as stress. If the cramps occur only briefly, they can also occur in the context of flatulence.

Central upper abdominal pain during pregnancy

Central upper abdominal pain, which occurs during pregnancy, is usually heartburn. As the uterus rises higher, the position of the stomach and intestinal tract changes and pressure is increased, which affects the lower sphincter muscle of the esophagus. This can result in an increased backflow of gastric acid, which causes not only heartburn but also pain in the central upper abdomen. Inflammations in the area of the stomach, duodenum and pancreas can also cause pain in the central upper abdomen of pregnant women.

Diagnosis

In order to be able to diagnose central upper abdominal pain, a detailed conversation with the patient is necessary. The patient should be asked about the exact symptoms, the course of the disease, the medical history, medications, and especially about food intake and bowel movements, and a detailed description of the localization and the character of the pain should be given. This is followed by a detailed physical examination.

The first choice is an ultrasound to assess the organs more closely. Many causes can already be clarified by the ultrasound. A blood test should also be performed.

Here, special attention should be paid to signs of inflammation and specific values for some organs. An ECG serves to rule out a heart attack. If a further diagnosis is necessary, an x-ray of the thorax or abdomen can also be made.

Free air in the X-ray image could be an indication of a burst stomach or duodenum ulcer. A CT of the abdomen can also provide further and more specific indications of an organic cause. For example, an aneurysm, a tumor, an intestinal infarct or even an inflammation of the pancreas can be ruled out. If an inflammation of the stomach or a cause of pain resulting from the intestine is suspected, further examinations such as a gastroscopy and colonoscopy can be performed.