Pain in the epigastrium – typical causes:

Diaphragmatic hernia: parts of the intestine or stomach get through the diaphragm into the chest Esophageal diseases: e.g. inflammation due to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus Stomach ulcer (see below), stomach tumor

Diaphragmatic hernia: parts of the intestine or stomach enter the thorax through the diaphragm
Esophageal diseases: e.g. inflammation due to reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus
Gastric ulcer (see below), stomach tumor
Starting from the heart: e.g. heart attack, especially with a posterior wall infarction

Left-sided upper abdominal pain – typical causes:

Gastric ulcer: Stomach ulcer with defects in the mucous membrane of the stomach, e.g. due to acidosis or infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori Pancreatitis Aortic aneurysm: Dilatation or bulging of the abdominal artery with the risk of rupture and bleeding into the abdomen

Stomach ulcer: stomach ulcer with defects in the mucous membrane of the stomach, e.g. due to acidosis or infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori
Pancreatitis
Aortic aneurysm: dilatation or bulging of the abdominal artery with the risk of rupture and bleeding into the abdomen
Spleen diseases: e.g. splenic infarction, ruptured spleen

Upper abdominal pain after eating

If the upper abdominal pain always occurs after eating, it is often caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or a gastric ulcer. If, on the other hand, the pain occurs mainly when fasting, it is more likely to be caused by a small intestinal ulcer. These diseases can be diagnosed most reliably with an OEDG (endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine).

Upper abdominal pain during pregnancy

Pregnant women often suffer from upper abdominal pain. Usually the abdominal pain is harmless and is caused by the stretching of the abdominal wall and the displacement of the abdominal organs by the growing child in the uterus. Upper abdominal pain in pregnancy can have the following causes in addition to those mentioned: Often heartburn with pain in the upper abdomen occurs during pregnancy.

The reason for this is the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus due to the changed position of the gastrointestinal tract during pregnancy. Since not all medications are approved for pregnant women, the gynecologist should always be consulted first. Hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness / vomiting during pregnancy): Some pregnant women suffer from severe nausea with vomiting and pain in the upper abdomen, especially in the first third of the pregnancy.

These symptoms should be clarified by the gynecologist as soon as possible.

Often heartburn with pain in the upper abdomen occurs during pregnancy. The reason for this is the reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus due to the changed position of the gastrointestinal tract during pregnancy.
Since not all medications are approved for pregnant women, the gynecologist should always be consulted first.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness / vomiting during pregnancy): Some pregnant women suffer from severe nausea with vomiting and pain in the upper abdomen, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms should be clarified by the gynecologist as soon as possible.
HELLP syndrome: This is a life-threatening clinical picture at the end of pregnancy, with upper abdominal pain often being the first sign. In addition, high blood pressure, elevated liver values and reduced platelets occur together. The suspicion of suffering from HELLP syndrome should immediately lead to hospitalization.