{"id":6910,"date":"2019-05-29T20:47:38","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T20:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6910"},"modified":"2021-05-04T17:09:06","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T17:09:06","slug":"15-reasons-for-having-upper-abdominal-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-reasons-for-having-upper-abdominal-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Reasons For Having Upper Abdominal Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For people of all ages, stomach aches and upper abdominal pains are a fairly common complaint. The upper abdominal part of the body has several very important organs and structures within its proximity, including the upper intestines, the liver, and the pancreas. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mild reasons for upper abdominal pain are not usually a cause for concern and these can range from flatulence and gas to a mild stomach virus. Other, more serious reasons for upper abdominal pain may require the assistance or advice of a doctor or urgent medical attention. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several serious underlying stomach and organ problems that may cause stomach pain, but in order to fully understand the causes of this painful symptom, here is an expanded list of 8 of the most common reasons as to why someone would feel pain in their upper abdominal region. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with most medical complaints, if something serious is suspected, help should be sought immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Gas <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although gas occurs naturally in the digestive system, too much gas can cause upper abdominal pain, as can gas caused by certain food types which the body may find difficult to break down. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The type of pain associated with gas in the upper abdominal region is one of high pressure, with a bloated <\/a>and overfull feeling. If an infection or a virus is present, symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation can lead to the pain caused by the gas becoming very intense indeed. There are a few telltale signs which indicate that gas is the cause of your upper abdominal pain. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include symptoms such as the pain seeming to come and waves and if the stomach bloats or swells. Gas may also be to blame for the pain if there is a sensation that feels as though something is moving in the stomach. Gas will usually dissipate on its own, and so too should the pain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Indigestion<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pain caused by indigestion <\/a>is especially unpleasant, with many people comparing it to a burning sensation that can be felt from the upper parts of the stomach, right up to the chest and into the mouth and throat. When there is too much acid in the stomach, indigestion can be brought on resulting in significant discomfort and the development of pain. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several other causes of indigestion, other than excess stomach acid, which may warrant the opinion of a health care professional. Without wanting to cause any alarm, recurring episodes of indigestion can be an indicator of a much bigger problem with the digestive tract, or even indicative of stomach cancer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, anyone who suffers from regular bouts of indigestion, that doesn’t seem to go away very easily, would be well advised to seek medical help and the opinion of a doctor or other health care professional.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Gastritis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An episode of gastritis <\/a>can cause the lining of the stomach to become very swollen and subsequently, extremely painful for the affected person. Acute episodes of gastritis are not usually anything to worry too much about, as they occur over the short term, most commonly as the result of a bacterial infection. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the infection has run its course, gastritis finishes up with almost as much haste as it came about in the first place. There are however a number of conditions that can cause gastritis to tip over from the manageable acute stage to the more unbearable chronic type. These underlying illnesses and conditions include Crohn\u2019s disease and some autoimmune diseases, as well as sarcoidosis and various allergies. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some viruses can also cause gastritis to become chronic. As you might imagine, the pain felt during an episode of chronic gastritis is at least twice as bad as an episode of acute gastritis.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Stomach Viruses <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, certain stomach viruses such as the dreaded gastroenteritis have the capacity to cause serious pain in the upper abdominal region. This condition, which is also known as stomach flu, can cause people to experience hefty bouts of nausea, with vomiting and diarrhea <\/a>thrown in for good measure. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst there are few things a person can do to speed up the recovery time from gastroenteritis, it is always a good idea for someone to remain as hydrated as they can, in order to keep the digestive system lubricated and ready for action. The pain caused by gastroenteritis can be pretty harrowing and has been known to hospitalize people who may be vulnerable and more susceptible to serious episodes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These people include the very young infants, children, the old and weak, as well as those people living with weakened immune systems and other underlying stomach conditions. Stomach viruses hurt, but with time they usually go away fairly quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Muscle Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are so many muscles in the body which extend to the upper parts of the stomach, meaning that the pain caused by a fairly mild muscle injury<\/a> can actually result in considerable pain in the upper abdominal region. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, with muscle pain, gentle massages and even good old fashioned rest will help a person make a full recovery very quickly. To speed up the process even further and to gain just a little bit extra relief, there is always the option of using cold or hot packs directly on to the affected muscles. The time to see a doctor or a healthcare professional usually comes if muscle pain in the upper abdominal region hasn’t got any better after a couple of days. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, it’s just a case of having done far too many sit-ups that is to blame, but if the pain persists or gets worse for no apparent reason, the affected person needs to seek advice and the opinion of a medical professional.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Appendicitis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who has ever suffered from appendicitis will attest to just how painful the condition is. It can be utterly debilitating, and potentially incredibly serious. Without proper diagnosis and effective treatment, there is potential for the appendix to burst or rupture. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this happens, the condition can become life-threatening. The early onset of appendicitis is usually signaled by a dullish ache that comes on just behind the belly button. This pain then tends to radiate up the stomach towards the upper abdominal area. When the infection reaches its peak, the pain is usually worst down towards the lower right-hand side of the stomach, although the pain in the upper abdominal region does tend to linger. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the majority of cases of appendicitis, it is absolutely necessary for the person to have surgery and for the infected appendix to be removed from the body entirely. Appendicitis <\/a>really really hurts!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Gallstones<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These hard accumulations of cholesterol <\/a>or bilirubin, known as gallstones may develop in the gallbladder. Whilst they don’t always cause problems, they can occasionally block a biliary duct, leading to complications that cause the upper abdominal pain. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a blockage occurs, a person can expect to feel intense pain towards the upper right-hand side of the stomach. This tends to come hand in hand with symptoms such as vomiting, extreme fatigue and unusual levels of exhaustion. When gallstones that cause a blockage are left untreated, unidentified or ignored, the functionality of the liver and the pancreas can be affected. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telltale signs of this happening include a yellowing of the skin and the eyes, as well as increasingly excruciating levels of pain in the upper abdominal area. As with the appendix, doctors usually choose to remove the gallbladder when it becomes blocked with gallstones, given that a person can live a perfectly healthy life without this particular organ.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Liver or Pancreas Issues<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Working together as a team of three, the liver, the pancreas <\/a>and the gallbladder all support digestion and a healthy digestive tract. The location of all three of these organs is at the upper right-hand side of the stomach. As mentioned earlier, blockages caused by gallstones can lead to pain being experienced in the liver or the pancreas. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other issues to do with the liver and the pancreas which can cause significant pain of the upper abdominal area and these include things like hepatitis and pancreatitis which affect the liver and the pancreas respectively, typically causing a great deal of the pain. In some rare cases, pain at this part of the body, the upper right side of the abdomen, can be indicative of a much more serious problem, such as liver or pancreatic cancer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When pain is severe and prolonged, it is recommended that medical help is sought as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Hepatitis Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Upper abdominal pain can occur due to infection of the liver. The hepatitis <\/a>virus infects liver tissues where it starts to present symptoms of nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and changes in the color of urine. If left untreated, hepatitis can progress into a life-threatening condition.
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Patients who do not receive treatment for their condition run the risk of developing cirrhosis, or fibrosis of the liver attributed to scarring. The patient may also develop symptoms of jaundice, which appear as a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
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Hepatitis comes in three strains \u2013 A, B, or C. Hepatitis A is the least aggressive of the three, and the most common. In most cases, patients experience the passing of the virus without any treatment necessary.
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Hepatitis B and C are far more aggressive, and an infected individual runs a higher risk of developing complications related to the disease, such as cirrhosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. GERD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with the gastrointestinal disorder, GERD \u2013 experience a dysfunction in the esophageal sphincter. As a result, the sphincter does not close entirely, and the patient experiences stomach acid entering the lower esophagus. This influx of stomach acid into the throat results in the development of symptoms of heartburn <\/a>and acid reflux in the patient.
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The symptoms of GERD may present as a pain in your upper abdomen, and it increases when lying down. Patients with the disorder often need to sleep in an elevated position to prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus while they sleep.
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Some patients may treat the initial symptoms of the condition in its early stages using antacid products to reduce stomach acid.
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Doctors fix the function of the esophageal sphincter using surgery to repair the damaged tissues and increase the resilience of the sphincter. Most patients make a full recovery from the surgery, with no lasting complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Hiatal Hernia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients dealing with a hiatal hernia may also experience symptoms of upper abdominal pain. A hiatal hernia <\/a>occurs when there is a dysfunction in the diaphragm muscle which allows part of the stomach to protrude into the chest cavity. As a result, the patient starts to feel pain in their upper abdomen, especially after eating a meal.
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A hiatal hernia can have similar symptoms like GERD, with the patient experiencing heartburn and acid reflux, along with issues swallowing, shortness of breath, and bloody stools. A hiatal hernia will not resolve by itself and requires surgical repair at the hands of a skilled medical professional.
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In most cases, patients make a full recovery from the surgery, and they experience no recurrence of the condition. However, some people may tear the repaired area during their recovery, requiring further surgery to address the hernia. It\u2019s for this reason that many doctors recommend that patients remain I bed and get as much rest as possible for at least 2-weeks after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Gastroparesis <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This digestive disorder affects the peristaltic movement of your stomach, resulting in the patient feeling pain in the upper-right side of the abdomen. Doctors are unsure of the exact reasons why gastroparesis occurs, but some specialists think that exposure to certain medications involved with treating high blood pressure, may induce the disorder.
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Patients with gastroparesis experience trouble digesting their food. As a result, they may pass undigested food in their stool, and they often experience symptoms of vomiting and nausea <\/a>after eating a meal. Patients with gastroparesis may also notice that they start to feel full after eating only a few bites of their meal.
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Since the digestive system is in a dysfunctional state, the affected individual may also experience symptoms of a weakened immune system, exposing them to higher rates of infection. The patient may even start to develop signs of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies as well. If left untreated, the patient may contract a severe disease that presents further complications with their condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Peptic Ulcers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who use Aspirin <\/a>frequently, or experience a bacterial infection of the stomach lining \u2013 are at risk of developing a peptic ulcer. Patients who are dealing with the effects of a peptic ulcer experience symptoms of pain in the upper abdomen, below the heart. These pains vary in intensity, depending on the size of the ulcer, and the contributing factor for the development of the condition.
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Patients who develop peptic ulcers due to medication use may be able to recover from the condition in a few weeks after starting treatment. However, those individuals with a bacterial infection may require antibiotics to clear the bacteria and return the stomach lining to normal.
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Other symptoms that can manifest as a result of a peptic ulcer include a feeling of fullness after eating only a few bites of a meal. The patient may also experience bloating, belching, and feelings of nausea as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Spleen Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The spleen resides in the upper-left region of your abdomen. Under normal circumstances, the spleen acts as a reserve for red blood cells, ensuring that the body always has a fresh supply of new red blood cells to maintain circulation<\/a>.
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Impact on the area of the abdomen housing the spleen may cause the organ to rupture. As a result, the patient may start to experience the onset of rapid internal bleeding that may start to turn the skin around the left side of the abdomen, purple in color.
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If left untreated, the patient could face life-threatening consequences. In the case of a ruptured spleen, the patient requires immediate medical treatment, and surgery to repair the affected area.
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The spleen is also at risk of developing an infection, like any other organ in the body. When the spleen experiences bacterial or viral infection, the patient may notice that their abdomen becomes sensitive to touch on the upper left side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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15. Pneumonia <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pneumonia <\/a>occurs due to bacterial infection of the lungs with Streptococcus pneumoniae. This aggressive bacterium often infects patients who are dealing with another respiratory infection, such as chronic bronchitis. Patients who are dealing with a respiratory disease like bronchitis, experience inflammation of the bronchiole tubes that connect to the alveoli.
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As a result of the infection, the patient starts to develop a cough, and the lungs begin to increase the production of mucus to flush out the bacteria. However, the dark, damp environment of the lungs makes an ideal place for the growth and spread of bacteria. Should the patient experience an infection with streptococcus pneumonia, then they may face a life-threatening situation.
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Patients with pneumonia may experience pain in the upper abdomen, as the infection makes it challenging to breathe. Most patients that receive treatment in time recover from the disease. However, those patients who do not receive a diagnosis, are at risk of the bacteria spreading into both lungs, resulting in collapse.
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