Upper abdominal pain is a common symptom of many medical conditions. The underlying cause is harmless in most cases, but it can also be dangerous and require immediate treatment by a doctor.
What is upper abdominal pain?
When pain occurs in the area between the belly button and the rib cage, it is generally referred to as upper abdominal pain. When pain occurs in the area between the belly button and the costal arch, it is generally referred to as upper abdominal pain. This complaint accounts for a large proportion of the reasons for a visit to the doctor. The possible pain intensity can range from only very mild to unbearable discomfort. In order to be able to differentiate the disease sufficiently despite the many possible causes, the pain is narrowed down on the basis of a number of factors. For this reason, a distinction is made between acute pain and chronic pain. Furthermore, it is of great importance to determine whether the complaints originate from the affected space itself. If this is not the case, the pain is usually radiating from neighboring organs. In these cases, we are talking about upper abdominal pain caused by pain projection.
Causes
The cause of upper abdominal pain is almost always harmless, which makes it disappear by itself within a short time. If these circumstances are present, it was usually a food intolerance. This may indicate that there is an allergy to a particular food product. Furthermore, it would be possible that the food was spoiled or an unhealthy eating behavior in the form of overeating or malnutrition is present. Psychological causes can also be considered. In many cases, people suffer from upper abdominal pain who are exposed to high levels of stress at work or in their private lives. If the pain is caused by organs, the cause is usually in the digestive tract. In this case, gastrointestinal diseases and, less frequently, inflammation of the appendix and pancreas are the main causes. In emergencies, life-threatening clinical pictures can also trigger upper abdominal pain. In such conditions, such as a radiating acute myocardial infarction or a bursting aortic aneurysm, emergency medical treatment must be given immediately.
Diseases with this symptom
- Food intolerance
- Lactose intolerance
- Food allergy
- Heart attack
- Histamine intolerance
- Celiac disease
- Gastric ulcer
- Biliary colic
- Gastrointestinal flu
- Gastritis inflammation
- Stomach cancer
- Aortic aneurysm
Diagnosis and course
The cause of upper abdominal pain is difficult to diagnose, as a high number of origins are possible. First, the attending physician takes a medical history, in which the patient is asked about previous illnesses, such as diabetes or a stomach ulcer. In addition, a detailed list of all medications taken recently, foods consumed, and any accompanying symptoms (for example, vomiting or diarrhea) is compiled. The next step is to take a pain history. Here, the exact location of the complaints and any possible radiation are examined. In addition, the character of the pain is important, which determines whether the pain is perceived as pulsating, dull or drilling. If the cause is not yet sufficiently narrowed down after these steps, blood is taken and tested for certain inflammatory parameters and antibodies. If heart disease is a possibility, an ECG is also written. Imaging procedures, such as sonography, are also possible. Depending on the diagnosis, upper abdominal pain may resolve quickly or require hospitalization with possible surgery.
Complications
Upper abdominal pain can have a variety of causes and carry with it several complications. Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) can happen acutely leading to internal bleeding. This bleeding can be so severe that it can progress to shock with a drop in blood pressure and elevation of the pulse. This medical emergency should be treated immediately. It can also cause the stool and vomit to become dark to black in color.If the gastritis is chronic, so much blood can be lost that it can lead to anemia, which is characterized by a drop in performance and chronic fatigue. In addition, the risk of developing a stomach ulcer or stomach cancer is increased. Furthermore, hepatitis can also cause upper abdominal pain. Liver inflammation, if chronic, can lead to cirrhosis. The performance of the liver decreases, the body suffers from edema and blood clotting disorders. In addition, the spleen enlarges as blood is diverted, this causes additional pain. In addition, the risk of developing liver carcinoma is greatly increased. An aortic aneurysm can also cause dangerous complications. For one thing, the blood is no longer properly conveyed to the legs, which can lead to circulatory problems in them. Most feared, however, is when the aneurysm bursts, causing severe bleeding into the abdomen, which is rarely survived.
When should you go to the doctor?
Upper abdominal pain usually indicates an infection of the digestive organs. Other causes can also be responsible for pain in the upper abdomen, but they are usually very treatable. A visit to the doctor is not necessary in the case of harmless and minor pain in the upper abdomen, provided that it disappears on its own within a few days. Affected individuals can also take their own measures in advance, which can contribute to a significant improvement. Active ingredients that soothe the stomach, such as chamomile, contribute to effective pain relief. However, if there is no significant improvement after two to three days, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. If the upper abdominal pain is caused by acute diarrhea, sufficient fluid intake is particularly important. Again, if the acute diarrhea lasts more than three days, a visit to the doctor is highly recommended. In addition, further complications such as nausea, fever, vomiting and dizziness are to be expected. Food intolerance is also a common cause of pain in the upper abdomen. To find out, it is necessary to go to the doctor. A special text can very quickly find out if such a food intolerance is present. In general, if the pain in the upper abdomen lasts longer than three days, a doctor should be consulted immediately. If the strength of the pain is unbearable, it may be necessary to immediately visit a hospital, as it could be appendicitis.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of upper abdominal pain always depends on the cause and is distinguished between symptomatic and causative therapy. For symptomatic treatment, antispasmodic drugs are prescribed for mild abdominal cramps, which allow rapid improvement of the symptoms. It is also advised to avoid major exertion and to apply heat to the abdomen. A healthy diet can also contribute significantly to an improvement of the symptoms, which is why eating light food is recommended. If the upper abdominal pain is due to a psychological cause, a change in lifestyle and stress management or psychotherapy may be useful. Infections in the digestive tract in many cases require medical treatment with antibiotics, which can only be directed by a doctor. Although these can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects that initially aggravate the symptoms, they lead to a rapid recovery if successful. In very few cases, upper abdominal pain leads to surgical intervention followed by hospitalization. These could involve, for example, acute appendicitis. However, such an operation is comparatively uncomplicated and carries few risks. If the upper abdominal pain is caused by a dangerous aortic aneurysm, however, a difficult operation would have to be performed, from which patients are usually slow to recover.
Outlook and prognosis
Taking medications for upper abdominal pain often results in only short-term relief of symptoms. If the effect of the medication wears off or if the medication is discontinued after a few days, the pain may return.If the upper abdominal pain is triggered by a food intolerance, there is natural relief of the pain as digestion progresses until it is completely gone. If the pain occurs due to a stressful situation such as an exam, there is often spontaneous healing after the event experienced. If a viral disease or inflammation is present, there is a very good chance of recovery through the administration of medication. As the disease subsides, the pain usually disappears completely. If the upper abdominal pain is triggered by an underlying psychosomatic illness, the affected person usually needs psychological support. By working through psychological issues, targeted changes in behavior and cognitive reassessment of experienced fate, relief and healing of the abdominal pain is achieved in a step-by-step process. If the upper abdominal pain occurs as a result of taking medications that have the possibility of injuring the mucous membranes in the organism as a side effect, the discomfort disappears completely when the medication is discontinued. In order not to endanger the state of health, this should take place exclusively with the consultation of a doctor.
Prevention
The best way to prevent upper abdominal pain is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. The regular consumption of vegetables and fruits as well as the renunciation of particularly greasy or possibly expired foods should be in the foreground here. Furthermore, exercise has proven to improve blood circulation in the upper abdomen and thus prevent pain. Yoga and the general avoidance of excessive stress can also help to significantly reduce the risk of upper abdominal pain.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Upper abdominal pain is not always a reason to see a doctor. If the discomfort is mild and the cause is harmless, various home remedies and measures can help. In addition to plenty of bed rest, it is important to warm the upper abdomen with a hot water bottle or a cherry pit pillow. Proven home remedies include chamomile or ginger tea, but also relaxation exercises or an extensive bath with lavender or yarrow herb. Upper abdominal pain associated with indigestion can be reduced by exercise. Gentle activities such as gymnastics, yoga or Pilates as well as moderate jogging or swimming are particularly suitable. It is also possible that the complaints are due to an incorrect diet. Those affected should avoid flatulent foods, drink enough with every meal and include laxative foods such as prunes or sauerkraut in their diet. Upper abdominal pain as a result of stress can be relieved by appropriate anti-stress or exercise therapy. For menstrual-related pain, gentle diet and heat treatments help. Relaxing baths with antispasmodic herbs such as lady’s mantle, verbena or lavender also have a soothing effect on upper abdominal pain. If the discomfort persists or is severe and is associated with accompanying symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and headache, the upper abdominal pain should be evaluated by a physician.
