GallstonesGallstones are solid deposits of bile and other digestive fluid that form in your gallbladder, a four-inch, pear-shaped organ that’s located right below your liver. They’re one of the most common causes of pain on the right side of your upper abdomen. Show
Gallstones may not always lead to symptoms. But if gallstones block the duct, they may cause you to feel upper abdominal pain and:
Pain caused by gallstones may last from several minutes to a few hours. Your doctor may prescribe you medication to dissolve gallstones, but that treatment process may take months or years to work. Your doctor may also recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder, which isn’t needed to live and won’t affect your ability to digest food if taken out. HepatitisHepatitis is an infection of the liver that can cause pain in the right side of your upper abdomen. There are three types of hepatitis:
Other common symptoms of hepatitis can include:
Liver abscessA liver abscess is a pus-filled sac in the liver that can cause pain on the right side of the upper abdomen. An abscess may be caused by a number of common bacteria. It can also be caused by other conditions such as a blood infection, liver damage, or an abdominal infection such as appendicitis or a perforated bowel. Other symptoms of a liver abscess can include:
GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is acid reflux that can irritate your esophageal lining. GERD can lead to heartburn, which you may feel moving up from your stomach and into your chest. This can cause you to feel pain in your upper abdomen. Other symptoms of GERD can include:
Nighttime acid reflux can also cause:
Hiatal herniaA hiatal hernia happens when part of your stomach protrudes up through the large muscle that separates your diaphragm and abdomen. You’ll likely feel pain on the left side of your upper abdomen, as that’s where the majority of your stomach is located. A small hiatal hernia often doesn’t show any symptoms, but a large hiatal hernia can cause a number of issues, including:
GastritisGastritis is the inflammation of your stomach’s lining, often caused by a bacterial infection. Excessive drinking and using pain relievers regularly can also lead to gastritis. The condition may cause a painful or burning ache in your upper abdomen that can ease or worsen with eating. Other symptoms of gastritis include:
Peptic ulcerA peptic ulcer is an open sore that happens either on the inside of your stomach’s lining (gastric ulcer) or the upper part of your small intestine (duodenal ulcer). They can be caused by a bacterial infection or long-term use of aspirin and certain pain relievers. Peptic ulcers can lead to burning stomach pain, which you’ll feel on the left side of your upper abdomen. Other symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include:
GastroparesisGastroparesis is a condition that slows down or prevents the normal spontaneous movement of your stomach muscles, interfering with digestion. Gastroparesis is often caused by certain medications, such as opioid painkillers, some antidepressants, allergy medications, or drugs for high blood pressure. You may feel pain in the left side of your upper abdomen, where your stomach is located. Other symptoms of gastroparesis can include:
Functional dyspepsiaTypically, indigestion — known as dyspepsia — is caused by something you ate or drank. But functional dyspepsia is indigestion with no obvious cause. Indigestion can lead to a burning pain in either or both sides of the upper abdomen. Other symptoms of functional dyspepsia can include:
PneumoniaPneumonia is an infection in your lungs that can inflame your air sacs and fill them with fluid or pus. It can be mild to life-threatening. Pneumonia can lead to chest pain when you breathe or cough, which may cause pain in either side of your upper abdomen. Other symptoms of pneumonia can include:
Ruptured spleenA ruptured spleen occurs when the surface of your spleen breaks because of a forceful blow to your abdomen. It’s a serious condition that requires emergency medical attention. If left untreated, a ruptured spleen can cause internal bleeding that’s life-threatening. It will cause you intense pain on the left side of your upper abdomen. Other symptoms of a ruptured spleen include:
Enlarged spleenInfections and liver disease can cause an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). In some cases, an enlarged spleen may not show any signs or symptoms. If it does, you’ll feel pain or fullness in the left side of your upper abdomen, which could spread to your left shoulder. Other symptoms of an enlarged spleen can include:
Other gallbladder issuesIn addition to gallstones, there are other conditions that can affect your gallbladder and lead to upper abdomen pain. Those disorders can include:
Common symptoms of gallbladder issues include:
PancreatitisPancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a long, flat gland located behind the stomach that helps your body digest and process sugar. Pancreatitis can lead to pain in the left side of your upper abdomen. It can come on suddenly and last for days (acute), or happen over many years (chronic). Other symptoms of pancreatitis can include:
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis can also include:
ShinglesShingles is caused by a viral infection and leads to a painful rash that commonly appears on the right or left side of your torso. Although shingles is not life-threatening, the rash can be extremely painful, which can cause upper abdomen pain. Other symptoms of shingles can include:
CancerCertain type of cancers can also cause pain in your upper abdomen. They include:
Depending on the type of cancer, you may feel pain on your right or left side of your upper abdomen, or throughout the whole area. Tumor growth, as well as bloating and inflammation, can cause upper abdominal pain. Other general symptoms to watch out for include:
Cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, and precision medicine. Blind loop syndromeBlind loop syndrome, also known as stasis syndrome, happens when a loop forms in part of the small intestine that food bypasses during digestion. Most often, the condition is a complication of abdominal surgery, although it can be caused by some diseases. Blind loop syndrome can cause pain in either the upper or lower part of your abdomen. Other symptoms of blind loop syndrome include:
In pregnancyAbdominal aches and pain during pregnancy are completely normal. Abdominal pain can be caused by the natural changes to your body to make room for your growing baby, or possibly a more serious condition such as an ectopic pregnancy. Some common causes of upper abdominal pain in pregnancy include:
More serious causes include:
Why does my upper stomach hurt after eating?Indigestion — also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach — is discomfort in your upper abdomen. Indigestion describes certain symptoms, such as abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, rather than a specific disease. Indigestion can also be a symptom of various digestive diseases.
Why does my stomach hurt around my belly button after eating?The acid that the stomach makes to digest food can irritate the components of the digestive tract, including the area around the belly button. Gas found throughout the digestive tract can also cause transient pain and discomfort.
What causes pain in middle of stomach above belly button?Pain in this area can be caused by eating too much. It can be caused by a food or a drug that upsets the stomach. It can also be caused by more serious problems like stomach ulcers or a gallbladder attack. Reflux disease (GERD) causes a burning pain that goes into the chest.
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