Upper abdominal pain

Upper abdominal pain are a common symptom of many diseases. 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 navel and costal arch, it is generally referred to as upper abdominal pain.

When pain occurs in the area between the navel and costal arch, it is generally referred to as upper abdominal pain. These symptoms make up a large part of the reasons for a doctor's visit. The possible pain intensity can range from only very mild to unbearable symptoms.

In order to be able to differentiate the disease sufficiently despite the many possible causes, the pain is narrowed down using a few factors. For this reason, a distinction is made between acute and chronic pain. It is also very important to determine whether the complaints originate in the affected area itself.

If this is not the case, it is usually a radiating pain from neighboring organs. In these cases, epigastric pain caused by pain projection is mentioned.

causes

The cause of upper abdominal pain is almost always harmless, which means that it will go away on its own within a short time. If these circumstances exist, it was usually a food intolerance. This can indicate an allergy to a particular food product. It is also possible that the food was spoiled or that there is an unhealthy eating behavior in the form of overeating or undernourishment.

Psychological causes can also be considered. In many cases, people suffer from epigastric pain who are exposed to high levels of stress, either professionally or privately.

If the pain is caused by organs, the cause is usually in the digestive tract. Then gastrointestinal diseases and, less often, inflammations of the appendix and pancreas come into question.

In emergencies, life-threatening clinical pictures can also trigger upper abdominal pain. Emergency medical treatment must be given immediately for diseases such as a radiating acute heart attack or a bursting aortic aneurysm.

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➔ Medicines for stomach ailments and pain

Diseases with this symptom

• Food intolerance
• Lactose intolerance
• Food allergy
• Heart attack

• Histamine intolerance
• Celiac disease
• Gastric ulcer
• Biliary colic

• abdominal influenza
• Gastric mucosal inflammation
• Stomach cancer
• Aortic aneurysm

Diagnosis & course

The cause of upper abdominal pain is difficult to diagnose because it can have a large number of origins. First, the attending physician takes an anamnesis, in which the patient is asked about previous illnesses such as diabetes or a stomach ulcer. In addition, a detailed list of all medication recently taken, the food consumed and any accompanying symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea) is created.

In the next step, a pain history is created. Here, the exact location of the complaints and a possible transmission are checked. In addition, the nature of the pain is important, which determines whether the pain is perceived as pulsating, dull or piercing.

If the cause is not sufficiently narrowed down after these steps, blood will be drawn and tested for certain inflammatory parameters and antibodies. If there is a heart disease, an EKG is also written. Imaging methods such as sonography are also possible.

Depending on the diagnosis, the upper abdominal pain can resolve quickly or require a hospital stay with possible surgery.

Complications

Upper abdominal pain can have different causes and can lead to different complications. An inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) can happen acutely and lead to internal bleeding. This bleeding can be so severe that it can turn into shock with a drop in blood pressure and an increased pulse. This medical emergency should be treated immediately.

It can also turn stool and vomit dark to black. If the gastritis is chronic, so much blood can be lost that it can lead to anemia, which is characterized by decreased performance and chronic fatigue. In addition, the risk of developing gastric ulcer or gastric cancer is increased.

Hepatitis can also cause upper abdominal pain. If the liver is chronic, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. The performance of the liver decreases, the body suffers from edema and blood clotting disorders. In addition, the spleen enlarges as the blood is diverted, which causes additional pain. In addition, the risk of developing liver cancer is greatly increased.

An aortic aneurysm can also cause dangerous complications. On the one hand, the blood is no longer properly passed on to the legs, which can lead to circulatory disorders in them. Most feared, however, is when the aneurysm bursts, which leads to profuse 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 upper abdominal pain, but these are usually very treatable. A visit to the doctor is not necessary for harmless and minor pain in the upper abdomen, provided that it disappears on its own within a few days. Affected people can also take their own measures in advance, which can contribute to a significant improvement. Active ingredients that soothe the stomach, such as chamomile, provide effective pain relief.

If, however, 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. The same applies here: If the acute diarrhea lasts for more than three days, a visit to the doctor is highly recommended. Other complications such as nausea, fever, vomiting and dizziness can also be expected.

Food intolerance is also a common cause of upper abdominal pain. To find out, a visit to the doctor is necessary. A special text can be used to find out very quickly whether such a food intolerance exists. In general, if you have upper abdominal pain that lasts longer than three days, you should consult a doctor immediately. If the severity of the pain is unbearable, you may need to go to a hospital immediately, as it could be appendicitis.

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Treatment & Therapy

The treatment of upper abdominal pain always depends on the cause and a distinction is made between symptomatic and causal therapy.

For symptomatic treatment of mild abdominal cramps, antispasmodic drugs are prescribed, which enable the symptoms to improve quickly. It is also advised to avoid excessive exertion and to apply warmth to the abdomen.

A healthy diet can also make a significant contribution to improving symptoms, which is why we recommend eating light foods. If the upper abdominal pain is due to a psychological cause, a change in lifestyle and stress management or psychotherapy can be useful.

Infections in the digestive tract often require drug treatment with antibiotics, which can only be directed by a doctor. Although these can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects, which initially intensify the symptoms, if successful they lead to rapid recovery.

In very few cases, upper abdominal pain leads to an operation followed by a hospital stay. These could include acute appendicitis (appendicitis), for example. However, such an operation is comparatively uncomplicated and involves few risks. If the upper abdominal pain is triggered by a dangerous aortic aneurysm, however, a difficult operation would have to be carried out, from which patients usually only recover slowly.

Outlook & forecast

Taking medication for upper abdominal pain often only provides short-term relief from the symptoms. If the medication wears off or if the medication is stopped after a few days, the pain may return.

If the upper abdominal pain is triggered by a food intolerance, the pain is naturally relieved as the digestion progresses until it has completely disappeared. If the pain occurs due to a stressful situation such as an exam, spontaneous healing often occurs after the event.

If there is a viral disease or inflammation, 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 disease, the person affected usually needs psychological support. By working through emotional issues, targeted changes in behavior and cognitive reassessments of past fates, relief and healing of the abdominal pain is achieved in a step-by-step process.

If upper abdominal pain occurs as a result of taking medication, which may damage the mucous membranes in the organism as a side effect, the symptoms disappear completely when the drug is discontinued. In order not to endanger the state of health, this should only take place after consulting a doctor.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for stomach ailments and pain

prevention

Home remedies ↵ for abdominal
pain The best way to prevent upper abdominal pain is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. The regular consumption of vegetables and fruit as well as the avoidance of particularly fatty or possibly expired foods should be in the foreground.

Sport has also proven itself to improve the blood circulation in the upper abdominal area and thus prevent pain. Yoga and the general avoidance of excessive stress can also help greatly reduce the risk of epigastric pain.

You can do that yourself

Upper abdominal pain is not always a reason for the doctor. Various home remedies and measures can help with mild complaints and a harmless cause. In addition to a lot of bed rest, it is important to warm the upper abdomen with a hot water bottle or a cherry stone pillow. Tried and tested home remedies include chamomile or ginger tea, as well as relaxation exercises or a long bath with lavender or yarrow.

Upper abdominal pain associated with indigestion can be reduced through exercise. Gentle activities such as gymnastics, yoga or Pilates as well as moderate jogging or swimming are particularly suitable. It is possible that the symptoms are based on an improper diet. Those affected should avoid flatulent foods, drink enough with every meal and include laxative foods such as plums or sauerkraut in their diet. Upper abdominal pain as a result of stress can be alleviated with suitable anti-stress or exercise therapy. In the case of menstrual pain, gentle food and heat applications 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 symptoms persist or are severe and have accompanying symptoms such as vomiting, fever and headache, the upper abdominal pain should be clarified by a doctor.