Pain in the upper abdomen. Causes of pain in the upper abdomen. What to do with these pains? Pain in the abdomen with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Pain in the upper abdomen cannot be an independent manifestation - it often occurs against the background of various diseases or inflammatory processes of organs anatomically located at the top of the abdomen. But in some cases, pain in this area may be due to irradiation of sensations from other parts of the body, including other areas of the abdomen, chest and back.

Despite the fact that spasms in some people can be expressed rather mildly, while in others - sharply, you should not delay a visit to the doctor, especially if the discomfort lasts more than an hour. The most common symptoms of diseases of the upper abdomen are diarrhea, alternating, general weakness of the body, bouts of nausea with vomiting. If any disorder is accompanied by bleeding, immediately call ambulance, but in no case should you try to eliminate this process yourself with the help of massage and strong palpation, since this can only increase bleeding.

Often on later dates During pregnancy, a woman notices that her upper abdomen hurts - this is due to the growth of the child in the womb and its movements. But if the spasms were localized with right side, this indicates a chronic or acute course of the disease - in most cases it was not acquired during the period of bearing a child, but arose long before that.

Pain localization is important in diagnosis and treatment. For example, if spasms occur on the left side, then the person may have problems with the esophagus or stomach, small intestine or rectum, and also with the pancreas. In cases where soreness manifested itself on the right side, these are problems with the liver, gallbladder or colon. The intensity of the pain can also tell a lot. In some diseases, it can be acute, and in other cases, barely noticeable. The pain becomes sharper under the influence of microorganisms - in such cases, pus may form. With tissue necrosis, soreness can spread to all parts of the abdomen, become girdle and give to other parts of the body or organs.

Etiology

As mentioned above, many diseases can act as factors for the occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen, and they are not always directly related to the organs located in this particular part. Often, abdominal pain is provoked by blood diseases, impaired metabolism or hormonal imbalance. The most common diseases that cause pain in the upper abdomen are:

  • - is complicated by the fact that perforation can occur, due to which the contents that were in the stomach enter the abdominal cavity. The pain is felt on the left;
  • damage to the mucous membrane of this organ when - the pain is localized in the left side of the abdomen and intensifies after eating;
  • inflammatory process in gallbladder. Most often pain syndrome appears against the background of the formation of stones. Spasms are localized on the right side and can last from twenty minutes to several hours;
  • inflammation of the pancreas. Often occurs due to overuse alcoholic beverages or due to some hereditary factors. The main symptoms are pain on the left side, nausea and frequent vomiting. Spasms are worse after inspiration and spread to the back;
  • various diseases affecting the spleen. Since this organ becomes inflamed quite rarely, a person may not always feel any symptoms, but if the pain is expressed, then it is most severe on the left. Most often, discomfort occurs due to an increase in the volume of the organ;
  • various pathologies of the spine cause aching pain on the right or left. This is often observed with injuries or tumors of the spine;
  • , in particular its posterior wall, leads to pain in the abdomen of varying intensity. It can range from barely noticeable to unbearable. Symptoms in this case will only be vomiting and cramps on the left side of the abdomen;
  • - despite the fact that the process is located in the lower abdomen, with an acute course, the pain syndrome can be localized in the upper right side of the abdomen (but through certain time goes down);
  • , in which there is an expansion of the orifice of the organ. With this disorder, a person often does not feel any discomfort, since tissue damage does not occur. The most common cause of pain in women during pregnancy;
  • oncological neoplasms in organs such as the esophagus, stomach, liver, bladder and pancreas. With such an ailment, the pain will be girdle and often spread to other organs, depending on where the metastases go;
  • abdominal trauma. To possible factors the occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen can be attributed -, or the liver, the occurrence of hematomas from a severe bruise.

In addition, the causes of pain in the upper abdomen include diseases or processes such as:

  • different origin;
  • , i.e. inflammation of the abdominal cavity;
  • congenital pathologies, among which;
  • various, for example, when eating stale food, excessive intake of alcoholic beverages or drugs, as well as from chemical elements;
  • disorders of cardio-vascular system provoke the appearance of pain on the left and right in the upper abdomen;
  • use a large number fatty foods, especially at bedtime;
  • various genetic disorders;
  • reception medicines, side effects which can cause pain in the upper abdomen;
  • pregnancy. Due to the enlargement of the uterus, there is pressure on some of the internal organs, which, in turn, cause cramps in the upper abdomen. In this case, the pain will be localized in the middle and often spread to the lower back. If the cause was any disorder that progressed even before the onset of pregnancy, all methods of therapy, including surgery, will be carried out only after childbirth.

Symptoms

Despite the fact that the main symptom of pain in the upper abdomen are cramps of varying intensity (for example, from aching pain to sharp pain), this disorder may be accompanied by other signs that appear depending on the main disease. The most common among them:

  • increase in body temperature;
  • persistent nausea and vomiting;
  • dizziness and severe headaches;
  • constipation, followed by diarrhea, and vice versa;
  • increased sweating;
  • general weakness of the body;
  • acquisition skin pale shade;
  • fever;
  • change in the size of the abdomen;
  • blue lips;
  • bleeding, due to which a person can lose consciousness;
  • labored breathing;
  • heaviness under the ribs, on the left or on the right side, depending on what served as a factor in the appearance of pain;
  • the appearance of bitterness in the oral cavity.

These symptoms are very important to thoroughly study during pregnancy, since some of them are characteristic of this particular period in a woman's life.

Diagnostics

If there is pain in the upper abdomen, without complete examination put the patient correct diagnosis and assign the most effective treatment rather difficult. Even if a person provides complete information about what symptoms bother him, on which side (on the right or on the left) the pain is most intense, this is not enough to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, it is also necessary to provide information about the course of pregnancy. That's why diagnostic measures include:

Care should be taken when diagnosing women during pregnancy, since not all methods can be carried out during this period.

Treatment

Depending on the factor in the occurrence of acute pain in the upper abdomen on the right or left side, the patient may be prescribed several methods of treatment.

Pain in the upper abdomen common symptom, which is found in a wide range of diseases.

What are the causes of pain in the upper abdomen? What diseases and functional states should I think if there is such pain?

Causes of pain in the upper abdomen

Before you start talking about specific diseases that can cause pain in the upper abdomen, it is worth paying attention to what this pain is in general and what changes it is provoked by.

Pain in the upper abdomen may appear with pathology internal organs. Pain in hollow organs (for example, in the stomach or intestines) can be caused by spasm - contraction of smooth muscles. In this case, it is cramping, burning or pressing. When the walls of a hollow organ are stretched, bursting pain appears.

Another cause of pain is damage or stretching of the organ capsule (liver, spleen). The organ capsule is a dense shell of connective tissue and has good innervation. When an inflammatory or tumor processes, as well as in case of injury, the capsule is stretched. In such cases, the pain can be either barely noticeable or severe - it depends on the degree of damage or stretching and on the individual perception of pain. When the capsule breaks, the intensity of pain increases significantly, it becomes acute, unbearable.

The third reason is ischemia (impaired blood supply) to the organs, which occurs when the vascular patency is impaired. Such a situation may arise, for example, due to an atherosclerotic lesion or blockage by a thrombus.

The fourth reason is irritation of the peritoneum - the mucous membrane covering the walls and organs of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum has a huge number of nerve endings, so any chemically aggressive effect on it (for example, gastric juice poured out during perforation of an ulcer) causes very intense cutting pain. The condition in which "peritoneal" pain appears is called " acute abdomen” and is regarded by doctors as the first sign of a catastrophe and an indication for emergency hospitalization.

Finally, the last reason for the appearance of pain in the upper abdomen is its irradiation (spread) from other areas. The appearance of reflected pain is explained by the structural features of our nervous system: nerve fibers that transmit information from diseased organs pass in the spinal cord close to the fibers responsible for pain sensitivity of the area where the pain radiates. With reflected pain, there is usually a zone of more pronounced pain, from which it “radiates” to nearby parts of the body.

What diseases cause pain in the upper abdomen

Pain in the upper abdomen may occur with:

  • diseases of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum;
  • with diseases of the liver, gallbladder;
  • with pathology of the pancreas;
  • with diseases of the spleen;
  • in diseases of the cardiovascular system: acute myocardial infarction, aneurysm, dissection or rupture of the aorta;
  • with lung diseases: pleurisy;
  • with hernias: esophageal part of the diaphragm, white line of the abdomen;
  • with inflammation of the abdominal muscles (myositis);
  • with metabolic disorders: thyrotoxic crisis, diabetic coma, ketoacidosis;
  • with salt poisoning heavy metals- mercury, lead;
  • with pathology of the nervous system: intercostal neuralgia (arising as a result of compression of the nerve roots - most often occurs with osteochondrosis).

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Chronic pain in the upper abdomen most often indicates a pathology of the stomach or duodenum. At ulcerative lesion these organs are observed close connection pain with meals: pain most often appears after eating: with a stomach ulcer after 15-45 minutes, with a duodenal ulcer after 1-1.5 hours. Also ulcer pain appears on an empty stomach and at night. Often it gives to the interscapular region, chest. As a rule, patients with pathology of the stomach and intestines, in addition to pain, have other clinical manifestations eg bloating, loose stools, nausea, vomiting. In diseases of the stomach, vomiting usually brings a feeling of relief (this does not happen with diseases of other organs). If a person with an established diagnosis of a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer has suddenly changed its character - it has become unbearable, piercing, it is worth thinking about perforating the ulcer and pouring out the contents of the stomach or intestines into the abdominal cavity. In this case, emergency hospitalization is required.

If the patient is concerned about heartburn, belching, and the pain that occurs with these symptoms is felt as a burning sensation behind the sternum (in the central part chest), this may indicate an inflammatory or even ulcerative lesion of the esophagus, often occurring when gastric contents are refluxed. This happens with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Pain in GERD mimics heart pain in angina pectoris. If the symptom occurs after eating, lying down, bending over or lifting heavy weights, disappears after taking antacids, and nitroglycerin does not affect its intensity, the diagnosis of esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) becomes most likely.

Liver disease

It is known that hepatitis and even cirrhosis can occur without pain, if there is no stretching of the liver capsule. But if pain in the upper abdomen on the right has arisen (pain in the right hypochondrium), you should think about diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract. With hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer, the pain is usually bursting, giving to the right half of the chest or under the shoulder blade.

Other common cause pain of this localization is cholelithiasis, in which in the cavity of the gallbladder and bile ducts stones are formed. Gallstone disease may manifest itself as dull aching pain under the ribs on the right, or be accompanied by bouts of intense pain - hepatic colic.

by the most frequent complication cholelithiasis is cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder wall. With cholecystitis, the pain is usually cramping, accompanied by nausea, and often vomiting, which does not bring relief. Pain occurs in the upper abdomen on the right and gives to the shoulder or shoulder blade. If the pain gets worse when walking, consider switching inflammatory process on the peritoneum (pericholecystitis).

Diseases of the pancreas

Since the pancreas is located horizontally in the upper abdomen and ends with its tail in the left half of the abdomen, the pain during inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is of a girdle character, or is localized at the top of the abdomen in the center (epigastric region) and on the left. The pain is usually quite pronounced, and in acute pancreatitis it is excruciating, often accompanied by incessant vomiting, after which the desired relief does not occur. With cysts and tumors of the pancreas, the pain is perceived by the patient as bursting, prolonged; its intensity can be from weak to very pronounced.

Diseases of the spleen

A rather rare situation when abdominal pain is caused by diseases of the spleen, however, this happens. The spleen is located in the left hypochondrium, which gives pain in the upper abdomen on the left. As a rule, abscesses, cysts, infarctions of the spleen, or its defeat during neoplastic diseases. There is an enlargement of the spleen, accompanied by stretching of the capsule and arching pains in the left hypochondrium, in diseases of other organs, for example, in infectious, cardiovascular, etc.

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels

At coronary disease the heart can also experience pain at the top of the abdomen. The most common cardiac cause is the development acute infarction myocardium. With it, abdominal pain is of a reflected nature, or is caused by secondary ischemic changes in the stomach and intestines. With a heart attack, the pain can be very pronounced, so that it sometimes leads to an erroneous diagnosis of an "acute abdomen". More often, heart attack pain in the upper abdomen is accompanied by other symptoms of damage to the heart and blood vessels: constricting pain in the chest, shortness of breath, falling or sharp rise blood pressure, severe weakness, cold sticky sweat, rhythm disturbances, etc.

With an aneurysm (a sac-like pathological expansion) of the aorta, abdominal pain also appears, which can radiate to the back. In addition to it, attention is drawn to the presence of a formation visible under the skin, pulsating in the rhythm of the heart. With a rupture or dissection of the aorta, the pain becomes dagger-like, accompanied by sharp drop blood pressure. Such pain can radiate to the chest, under the shoulder blades, to the arm, move down or up (depending on the direction of the progressive dissection). Acute conditions associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system require emergency hospitalization of the patient in a hospital.

Pain in the upper abdomen with lung disease

With pleurisy (more often with dry pleurisy), pain may also appear in the uppermost part of the abdomen. To recognize such pain, it is worth coughing and inhaling deeply: if the pain has intensified, it is worth excluding lung diseases accompanied by pleurisy. With pleurisy, the pain decreases in the supine position on the sore side. There are usually other signs of lung damage, such as coughing, shortness of breath. Often the development of pleurisy passes with fever, chills, weakness.

Muscle pain

Pain in the upper abdomen can give pain in the abdominal muscles. It is quite simple to exclude this nature of pain: when lifting the legs from a prone position, the pain intensifies, it is closely related to physical activity to the press area.

Neurological pain

With osteochondrosis and some other diseases of the spine, compression of the roots of the spinal nerves can occur. This causes pain that spreads along these nerves. In addition to such pain, the doctor can determine other neurological symptoms. The epicenter of pain is usually located in the spine.

Hernia pain

Hernias occur in case of compression of parts of organs in the so-called. hernial ring. With hernias of the white line, it is possible to feel with your fingers in the area of ​​maximum pain a rounded formation, which can disappear when you press on it. Hiatus hernias usually manifest themselves in a similar way to diseases gastrointestinal tract. The diagnosis is made on the basis instrumental examination(for example, based on X-ray of the stomach and esophagus after contrasting).

Metabolic disorders

With severe metabolic disorders (ketoacidosis, thyrotoxic crisis, etc.), peritoneal receptors may be irritated by aggressive compounds. This sometimes gives the symptoms of an "acute abdomen", i.e. severe unbearable pain in the abdomen, accompanied by muscle tension abdominal wall. For exclusion surgical pathology and treatment, such patients should be referred to a hospital on an emergency basis.

Of course, knowledge of why pain occurs in the upper abdomen can help the patient navigate his condition. However, if you are concerned about abdominal pain, do not self-diagnose. A visit to the doctor will help resolve all anxieties and doubts, as well as maintain your health and prevent the development serious complications.

Pain in upper section belly - dangerous symptom, which is a harbinger of many dangerous diseases. There are many reasons for such a state of affairs. Unpleasant sensations can overtake you suddenly and quickly pass, or they can annoy you. long time.

Despite the intensity and accompanying symptoms, any health problems should be addressed. may be an indicator different states, which we will discuss below.

A gastroenterologist will help you return to an active life.

Unpleasant sensations in the upper abdomen may occur due to different reasons. This may be eloquent evidence of the presence of pathology of the internal organs.

Problems with the stomach and intestines can also cause pain. Man suffers from cramping, burning, pulling or pressing pain. Turning to will help you get back to an active life.

Unpleasant sensations are possible due to stretching of the organ capsule, which resembles a dense shell, paved connective tissue. A tumor, injury, or inflammation can be the precipitating factor causing the capsule to stretch. The severity of symptoms can range from a moderate level to a pronounced disease state.

When the capsule breaks, the patient's condition worsens. Poor circulation can also cause these conditions. Atherosclerotic lesion, blockage of a blood clot in response to the deterioration.

With gastric ulcer, the state of health worsens 15-45 minutes after the meal. The defeat of the duodenum is marked by delayed symptoms, which make themselves felt after 1-1.5 hours. In the presence of ulcers unpleasant symptoms appear on an empty stomach and at bedtime, discomfort is felt in the shoulder blades.

A person has signs of bloating, the stool is disturbed. In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it improves the patient's condition, while the symptoms of problems with other parts of the body do not depend on this action. If suddenly you feel sharp sharp pains, it is better to call a specialist, as jokes are bad with an ulcer. The Right Tactic treatment will help you recover quickly.

Do you feel belching, burning and soreness behind the sternum? It is necessary to exclude inflammation of the esophagus. Other symptoms that confirm the presence of GERD are increased symptoms in the supine position, bending over and physical work.

liver problems

With cholelithiasis, patients describe the presence of bursting pains.

Muscle pain

To understand whether painful conditions are associated with muscle tension worth picking up lower limbs. With a positive answer, the pain will intensify. Pain in muscle tissue is a response to hypertonicity; muscle strain is often diagnosed, accompanied by internal microtraumas.

The reason may be, physical overload, sports training and physical labor. The worst option is a rupture of the abdominal ligaments that occurs with intense excessive load to atrophied muscles.

The video will tell you more about pain in the upper part of the stomach:

Problems in neurology

With osteochondrosis, compression of the roots occurs spinal cord. There are pains, concentrating in the spine. Infringement of the nerve roots makes the nerve supply, spleen and intestines defective.

The person begins to complain of cutting and stabbing sensations. Others appear neurotic symptoms, which signal that it is time to take care of yourself. Massage, physiotherapy and special preparations slow down progression a disease that is now popular and will significantly improve the condition.

The appearance of a hernia

When the organs are clamped, a hernia is formed. The person feels pain around the formation. When pressed, the round formation disappears. Patients with hernias of the esophagus face all the troubles that causes the presence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The increase entails the expansion of the gate and stretching of the structures surrounding the defect of the abdominal wall. A dangerous phenomenon is considered to be the entry of organs into the abdominal sac, which is also accompanied by pain. Local sensations or pain in the entire abdomen may be diagnosed.

Metabolic disorders

When ketoacidosis occurs and thyrotoxic crisis irritate the receptors of the peritoneum. Sharp pain accompanied by abdominal tension. To clarify the diagnosis, a patient with the listed symptoms is sent to a hospital.

Rules of conduct for abdominal pain

Only when feeling acute pain does a person begin to pay attention to problems in the body.

Regardless of the intensity and characteristics of the pain, it is necessary to consult a medical institution to prevent serious complications and worsening of the condition.

It is worth trying not to take pills before the initial consultation so that the doctor can make the most accurate diagnosis.

Until the initial verdict is issued, the heating pad must not be used. To somehow alleviate the condition, you can use ice. It is worth alerting if there is vomiting, fever.

These additional symptoms may indicate the severity of the situation. Irregular pains of moderate intensity, appearing from time to time, give hope for a happy outcome. It is worth contacting a specialist if the pain becomes more frequent and interferes with normal life.

It is important to tell the doctor in detail about the nature, intensity of pain and events preceding the worsening of the condition. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the underlying cause that causes similar conditions. Modern man lives in a special rhythm. It is difficult for him to take the time and listen to his own body.

Aching pains are often ignored, the malaise is attributed to poor-quality food. Only when feeling acute pain does a person begin to pay attention to problems in his own body. Painkillers come on though the right step would be a call to a doctor and a visit to a specialist.

Collected analysis, inspection and diagnostic procedures help to set the exact one, since abdominal pain can be the cause of many ailments that require drug treatment or surgical intervention. It is important to pay attention to additional symptoms: the presence of vomiting, stool disorders, pain in the hypochondrium. The exact writing of the symptoms helps to quickly find the root cause and start the fight against the developing disease.


Tell your friends! Tell your friends about this article in your favorite social network using social buttons. Thank you!

Soreness of the stomach may indicate a temporary dysfunction of the organ or the development of a serious pathology. Therefore, the first thing to do with recurring types of pain is to consult a doctor. The specialist, based on the results of the examination, tests and diagnostics, will find out the cause of the discomfort and prescribe a course of therapy if necessary. Self-medication for abdominal pain of unknown etiology is unacceptable.

Causes and symptoms

Pain in the upper abdomen in the middle appear as a result of exposure various factors from minor to major. If ignored for a long time pain possible development serious illnesses with severe complications. Sources of pain:

  1. Abuse of alcohol, coffee. Alcoholic beverages and caffeine trigger the production of gastric juice, the excess of which negatively affects the condition of the gastric mucosa.
  2. Smoking. Nicotine disrupts blood flow in the walls.
  3. Stress. The organs of the gastrointestinal tract are especially susceptible.
  4. Large doses of aspirin. This type of painkiller, when used regularly, leads to ulceration of the stomach lining.
  5. Pancreatic dysfunction.
  6. Nutritional errors.

All of the above causes cause sharp, paroxysmal pain in the left intercostal space. These factors provoke the development of pathologies of the stomach and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract. At various diseases the nature and intensity of pain varies over a wide range. cutting pain in the middle left of the abdominal wall is the result of:

  • burns with alkalis or acids;
  • food poisoning (accompanied by belching, heartburn).

With heaviness and bursting in the epigastric zone with dull, weak pain sensations, one should suspect:

  • gastritis, accompanied by a reduction in pancreatic secretion;
  • pyloric stenosis;
  • stomach cancer;
  • peptic ulcer in the chronic phase.

Severe pain is characterized acute ulcer or exacerbation chronic pathology stomach and duodenum 12. If acute dagger pain with high intensity occurs, perforation of the ulcer with the release of gastric contents into the abdominal cavity or exacerbation should be suspected. chronic form other disease:

  • acute pancreatitis with reflux into the abdominal cavity of enzymes that break down proteins;
  • colic with spasm of the smooth muscles of the gallbladder when the stone is stuck;
  • perforation of the colon;
  • peritonitis;
  • rupture of the liver.

With soreness and nausea, diseases of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver are suspected:

  • gastritis;
  • pancreatitis;
  • hepatitis;
  • ulcer;
  • cholecystitis;
  • food poisoning (belching joins the symptoms).

Cholecystitis - bile flow is disturbed, and fats are not absorbed in the intestines.

Less often, pathologies of the central nervous system are possible. Symptoms occur after eating with additional stress on the diseased organ. Soreness in the upper abdomen and diarrhea accompany a violation of the process of digestion and absorption of food due to the development of:

  • stomach ulcers, when digestion and absorption in the intestines are disturbed, which causes diarrhea;
  • pancreatitis, when there is a lack of digestive enzymes;
  • cholecystitis, when bile flow is disturbed, and fats are not absorbed in the intestine;
  • irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by diffuse pain and alternating constipation with diarrhea.

Soreness at the top under the ribs on the left and temperature appear with any inflammatory processes or food poisoning. Pain syndrome with temperature occurs:

  • with gastritis (temperature not higher than 38 ° C);
  • stomach ulcer (temperature above 38 ° C);
  • pancreatitis in the acute phase (fever with rapidly changing indicators);
  • food poisoning (above 39 ° C, depending on the type of microbe that caused the process).

In all cases, the first thing to do is to go to a specialist for help.

Diseases of the stomach that cause painful spasms in the upper middle of the abdomen

  1. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa or gastritis. Signs: sudden pain at the top in the epigastrium, bad smell from the mouth, nausea on an empty stomach or after eating, migraine, heartburn. The pain syndrome goes away on its own within two days.
  2. Dyspepsia of the stomach - dysfunction of the organ, difficulty and soreness of digestion. Signs: pain syndrome on top of the epigastrium, nausea, loss of appetite, bloating, heaviness in the stomach. Occurs against the background of pancreatic dysfunction.
  3. Peptic ulcer of the stomach - ulceration of the mucosa of the organ. Signs: pain after eating, heaviness, pressure.
  4. Stomach cancer - malignant tumors with metastases to nearby and distant tissues. The precursors are ulcers and gastritis. Symptoms are similar clinical picture with an ulcer. At the same time, there is weight loss.

What to do?

It is forbidden to warm up the stomach.

Do not take painkillers before going to the doctor for pain in the middle of the upper abdomen, as this will make it difficult to make a diagnosis and choose the appropriate type of treatment. It is forbidden to warm up, but you can apply ice. Most dangerous pains those that are accompanied by fever, diarrhea, vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious illness that only a specialist can cure. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor in the following cases:

  • the appearance of sharp, severe pain, in which it is difficult to move, begins to feel sick, and the duration is several days;
  • the occurrence of pain in the stomach with diarrhea, constipation, spotting, fever;
  • occurrence pain in the upper section under the ribs, while the urine darkens, the skin and whites around the eyes turn yellow;
  • duration of spasms for more than 30 minutes without cessation;
  • the appearance of painful sensations with vomiting, sweating, squeezing of internal organs, difficulty breathing.

Treatment is prescribed depending on the type of disease, its stage of development. In the absence of pathologies, the pain syndrome is stopped by simple actions. What do we have to do:

  • Eat properly.
  • Observe the mode of activity and rest.
  • To refuse from bad habits.
  • Avoid stress.

Pain in the upper abdomen in the center is very alarm symptom, which can be a sign of a wide range of diseases. There are many reasons for the onset of pain.

Discomfort may be accompanied by nausea, bloating, and last indefinitely. Depending on the type of pathology, pain in the upper abdomen can be both intense and monotonous.

To answer the question of why the upper abdomen hurts, you need to understand the structural features of this area and identify possible reasons unpleasant sensations.

Causes if the upper abdomen hurts

Not always real reasons pains at the top of the abdomen have a connection with those organs that are located in this area.

Often, during the examination, blood pathologies, hormonal disorders or metabolic disorders are detected.

The real cause of pain may be in a completely different area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body. That's why self-treatment with such symptoms is completely contraindicated.

The most common causes of upper abdominal pain are:

  1. Abdominal injury.
  2. Oncology.
  3. Diaphragm hernia.
  4. Inflammation of the appendix (at the beginning of the process).
  5. Myocardial infarction.
  6. malnutrition and bad habits.
  7. Pathology of the spine.
  8. Pancreatitis.
  9. Spasm of the stomach.
  10. Ulcer.
  11. Cholecystitis.

Diagnosis will clarify the diagnosis and help determine therapy.

Oncology

The upper part of the abdomen is very rarely exposed to tumor processes.

Despite the fact that absolutely all tissues and organs are predisposed to cancer human body, there are some areas that are least susceptible to malignant degeneration of tissues.

Pain in the upper abdomen may occur due to the development malignant formations. With the course of tumor growth, destructive destruction of the affected area and surrounding organs occurs.

Often the pain appears on late stages cancer, which is extremely difficult to implement effective treatment.

If your stomach hurts in the upper part, these may be signs of the following types of cancer:

  1. Pancreas cancer. According to statistics, it strikes in more men than women. This is explained by the fact that the male sex more often exposes its body to negative factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, malnutrition. The pain is located at the top of the abdomen and gives to the middle part of the back. The manifestation of pain occurs in last stage ailment, when metastases have formed in vital organs. Associated symptoms includes signs of jaundice, a sharp decrease in body weight, bloating.
  2. Gallbladder cancer. Provoking factor is long-term cholelithiasis, frequent exacerbations chronic cholecystitis. Tissue degeneration occurs under the influence of a prolonged inflammatory process in the organ. Symptoms are similar to pancreatic cancer. Abdominal pains join in the later stages, accompanied by constant problems with the stool.
  3. Liver cancer. It is often formed against the background of prolonged cirrhosis, the presence of hepatitis B, C. Pain appears under the ribs on the right in the upper abdomen. Associated symptoms is an increase in body temperature, the appearance of fluid in the abdominal cavity and an increase in the organ.
  4. Stomach cancer. Like many other types of cancer, most often there is no pain in the early stages. It is also expressed in the occurrence of constipation. At risk are men over 60 years of age, as well as patients who have polyps in the stomach, gastritis and other inflammatory processes.
  5. Esophageal carcinoma. With damage to the lower part of the esophagus, pain can spread to the chest and up the abdomen. The initial symptom of the disease is usually a swallowing disorder.

Sensation of a lump in the esophagus (stuck food), gagging. Pain spreads with an extensive pathological process. Metastases spread to nearby organs.

There is also a very rare view cancer - peritoneal carcinomatosis (spread of metastases in the peritoneum).

In this case, there is a multiple growth of tumors throughout the inner layer of the abdominal cavity.

Neurology

A common reason why the stomach hurts in the upper part is damage to the roots of the spinal cord. The main source of discomfort is the disease of osteochondrosis.

The spinal cord is connected to the gastrointestinal tract by nerve fibers and pinching of the roots in the spine can cause severe pain in the middle or at the top of the abdomen.

In addition to experiencing the discomfort associated with the fact that the stomach hurts, the patient experiences general weakness, dizziness and pain during flexion, extension of the spine.

A complete treatment of osteochondrosis is impossible, since the pathology is accompanied by irreversible changes at the level of vertebral tissues.

Symptomatic therapy is used, which helps relieve pain, improve blood circulation and eliminate muscle spasm.

Diaphragmatic hernia

Diaphragmatic hernia is a violation of the normal state of the diaphragm in the region of the esophagus. The causes are shaking of the body, which caused stretching and weakness of muscle tissues.

Subsequently, it happens pathological expansion openings of the diaphragm, which threatens to move the abdominal organs into the chest.

The resulting hernia does not bring sharp and sharp pains, but causes extremely unpleasant sensations in the upper abdomen.

Acute pain is possible with prolonged absence of treatment of the disease. Provoked by clamping blood vessels muscle fibres.

Abdominal injury

Blunt abdominal trauma is characterized by the absence of open wounds and external bleeding. Despite this, there is damage to the internal organs that are located in the abdomen.

Injury is possible, both when struck with a blunt object, and due to strong shaking of the body, falling from high altitude even on soft surfaces.

Depending on which part of the abdomen is affected, we can talk about what the consequences and complications can be.

After suffering a blunt blow, the following types injuries:

  1. A hematoma is a hollow formation that is filled with inflammatory fluid or blood. The pain manifests itself immediately after the impact. The damaged area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe abdomen covers the swelling, which is eliminated as the blood accumulation diverges.
  2. Rupture of the spleen. Occurs after hard hit in left side hypochondria. The spleen has good blood supply therefore, after injury, there is a rapid and large loss of blood. Appears sharp pain at the top of the abdomen under the ribs. There is a risk of loss of consciousness due to extensive bleeding and pain.
  3. Rib fractures. After injury, pain appears in the center of the chest and upper abdomen. Over time, the pain does not subside and can seriously intensify, especially while walking and deep breathing. Sharp pain in the upper abdomen can be a sign of an injury to the internal organs.
  4. Rupture of the liver. Accompanied by profuse hemorrhage. The organ is covered with a protective membrane that does not allow blood to pass through it.

The filling of the liver capsule with blood, its painful stretching is formed. Prolonged absence surgical intervention fraught with lethal outcome or development of a disability.

The danger of blunt trauma is that a person may not immediately respond to its serious manifestation. Often a patient with pain in the upper abdomen after a blow arrives already in a critical situation.

Appendicitis

The location of the appendix is ​​such that its inflammation can cause pain in the upper abdomen. The pain is most often sharp and girdle.

The organ is located to the right of the stomach, but its defeat often also accompanies pain in the middle of the abdomen, nausea.

Blurred symptoms are observed in half of the patients, which may be the reason for the late diagnosis.

Used as a treatment surgical method removal of the appendix.

myocardial infarction

During a heart attack, a certain area of ​​the heart muscle is rejected. The cause of the disease is a failure in the blood flow, namely, in the nutrition of this muscle due to the development of thrombosis, atherosclerosis.

AT preinfarction state Patients complain that their upper abdomen hurts. This is due to the peculiarities of the location of the muscle of the myocardium and diaphragm.

Pain can be of varying intensity and character. Most often there is a sharp pain under the ribs.

With the manifestation of such symptoms, it is urgent to call a doctor, since a person’s life depends on the timely rendered medical care.

Diseases of the digestive tract

Such diseases include pathologies of the following organs:

Liver

  • Hepatitis.
  • Cirrhosis.
  • Oncology.

Diseases for a long time do not have any severe symptoms. With the degree of neglect of the disease, the upper abdomen hurts.

The pain begins its manifestation on the right, and then gives in the center in the abdomen and its upper part. There is nausea.

Treatment: Therapeutic actions in these cases depend on timely treatment.

When an illness is detected in early stage possibly medication, surgery. The advanced course of the pathology is most often not subject to treatment.

Stomach

  • Stenosis of the pylorus of the stomach. Develops over a long period of time inflammatory diseases, nervous experiences and other pathologies. Able to form pain in the upper abdomen, especially after eating.
  • Ulcer. It is one of the most common diseases, due to which there is an excessive production of gastric juice and irritation of the gastric mucosa. The disease is provoked by infections, beriberi, bad habits, stressful experiences. It causes severe pain in the entire stomach, including in the upper part of it.
  • Gastritis. It has the same nature as an ulcer and is in the same group of pathologies. They differ in that gastritis affects the upper layer of the gastric mucosa, and peptic ulcer already leaves deep lesions. With gastritis, the stomach hurts after eating heavy and junk food, swelling is present.

Treatment consists in stabilizing nutrition, excluding the use of junk food, which contributes to indigestion and the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.

The second stage is to take anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and saturate the microflora with beneficial bacteria.

Spleen

  • Inflammation.
  • Gap.
  • cysts.

The body is rarely exposed to diseases. This is mainly due to inflammatory serious processes or injuries. Pathologies of the spleen cause pain in the abdomen from above.

Nausea is possible, both dull and acute pain. Most often, unpleasant symptoms are localized to the left of the abdominal cavity, but can spread under the ribs and in the middle.

Surgical intervention, therapy and long-term observation in a hospital setting.

Pancreas

Pancreatitis. The disease proceeds with the participation of the inflammatory process in the pancreas.

The organ is located on the left, but its features are such that, with certain disorders, the entire abdomen hurts, especially after a fatty meal.

Abdominal pain is most often girdle, so many mistake it for indigestion or spinal pathology.

The course is assigned drug therapy, which is based on the intake of anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics.

gallbladder

Cholecystitis. Characterized pathological formation stones in the area of ​​the whole body. It develops against the background of reduced immunity and metabolic disorders.

The protective mucous layer of the gallbladder is very sensitive, so when the stones grow, girdle pain appears in the upper part of the abdominal cavity under the ribs.

The disease requires surgical intervention. Without timely medical care, abdominal pain can lead to loss of consciousness, the development of a large number of dangerous complications.

In addition to the listed diseases of the gastrointestinal tract discomfort in the stomach can cause food poisoning or intestinal infections.

In this case, there is an extensive effect of toxins produced by bacteria on the mucous membranes of the abdominal organs, thereby provoking soreness.

It is necessary to monitor the quality of food consumed. The main symptom of poisoning is nausea and girdle pain in the abdomen.

Diagnostics

In order to determine why it hurts at the top of the abdomen, it is necessary to carry out all the necessary diagnostic measures.

Unpleasant sensations have a wide range possible pathologies which are dangerous in their own way.

The complexity of self-assessment also lies in the fact that the organ provoking pain can be located both on the right and on the left and radiate to upper part peritoneum.

The following methods are used as diagnostics:

  1. General urine and blood tests. If necessary, a fecal occult blood test may be necessary.
  2. FGDS.
  3. X-ray.
  4. An MRI or CT scan.
  5. Ultrasound diagnosis.
  6. Palpation, examination and history taking.

It is worth noting that timely diagnosis will allow to exclude the further development of possible dangerous diseases, to make a decision on effective treatment.

Conclusion

The occurrence of pain in the upper part of the abdomen does not have independent disease. The causes can be many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and in terms of neurology, the cardiovascular system.

It is wrong to eliminate pain for a long time with painkillers. Further inaction in relation to one's health has a detrimental effect on the patient's quality of life.

Useful video