Pain radiates into the back
Right-sided pain in the upper abdomen, which also extends into the back, can also always come from an inflamed pancreas. This very serious clinical picture is caused either by excessive alcohol consumption or by a gall bladder stone that has got stuck in a corridor. Typical for an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is the abdominal and belt-shaped pain that extends into the back.
The diagnosis is made by ultrasound and blood tests. Upper abdominal pain on the right side can also occur during pregnancy. On the one hand, all diseases that cause upper abdominal pain on the right side even in non-pregnant women (for example, diseases of the gallbladder, liver and gastrointestinal tract) can also be the reason for this during pregnancy.
On the other hand, clinical pictures can be responsible for the upper abdominal pain, which typically only occurs in pregnant women and is summarized as gestures. An important example of a gesture that can be accompanied by upper abdominal pain on the right side is the so-called hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of morning sickness in pregnancy which is accompanied by severe and persistent vomiting, upper abdominal pain and dizziness.
How exactly the hyperemesis gravidarum develops is unclear. The pregnant woman loses salts and fluid through excessive vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and circulatory weakness. In many cases, therefore, hospitalization is necessary to prevent further loss of salts and fluids by means of infusions.
If the administration of infusions is not sufficient, the pregnant woman can be treated with drugs that suppress the nausea and the urge to vomit. These drugs are called antiemetics, an important representative is the so-called ondansetron. The prognosis of hypermesis gravidarum is good.
Another example of a gesture that can cause upper abdominal pain in pregnancy is the so-called HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets). The cause of the HELLP syndrome has not yet been conclusively clarified, but it is suspected that processes in the placenta are involved.In the affected person, there is a decay of the red blood cells (haemolysis), liver damage with an increase in liver enzymes (Elevated Liver Enzymes) and a drop in platelets (Low Platelets), which can manifest itself in complaints such as upper abdominal pain on the right, nausea and vomiting, headaches and flickering eyes. The HELLP syndrome is potentially life-threatening for pregnant women, which is why upper abdominal pain on the right side of the pregnancy should always be interpreted as a warning signal and clarified by the doctor. The treatment of the HELLP syndrome consists of an immediate delivery of the child, since processes in the placenta are discussed as the cause for the development of the HELLP syndrome.
