A typical symptom that can be brought on by a number of underlying illnesses, including digestive issues, is right upper abdomen pain. It could be an indication of something more serious. A thorough understanding of the possible reasons and when to seek medical assistance is essential to effectively treating this ailment.
What Does Upper Abdominal Pain Look Like?
The length and severity of upper abdominal pain to the right can vary. It could feel like cramps, a sudden pain, or a dull aching. In addition to other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice, the pain may be continuous or sporadic.
Common Digestive Conditions Causing Upper Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain in the upper region can be caused by many digestive problems. These are a few of the most typical ones:
Causes of Upper Abdominal Pain
Upper abdomen pain can also be caused by disorders other than liver and gallbladder problems, such as:
- Gastritis – inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining.
- Gallstones – stonesform in the gallbladder and can cause pain or block bile flow
- Cholecystitis – The gallbladder’s inflammation can cause excruciating agony.
- Pancreatitis – Pain in the upper abdomen may result from inflammation of the pancreas most likely due to gallstones / alcohol consumption.
- Peptic Ulcer Disease – Pain may result from sores in the duodenum or stomach lining.
- Kidney stones – Upper abdominal pain can occasionally be a symptom of kidney stones.
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) – Abdominal discomfort can be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is similar to eg Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Cancer – stomach / colon / pancreas / liver cancer can cause right upper abdominal pain
When to Seek Medical Advice
Even though minor upper abdominal pain might not need to be treated right away, it’s nevertheless advisable to see a doctor if:
- It hurts a lot or keeps hurting.
- Other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice, accompany the discomfort.
- You’ve had issues with your gallbladder or liver in the past.
- You are losing weight suddenly or inexplicably.
- You have a family history of intestinal or liver problems.
How to Diagnose When There’s Upper Abdominal Pain
To identify the underlying cause of upper abdomen discomfort, a medical professional will perform a complete physical examination and may prescribe one or more tests. These examinations could consist of:
- Blood examinations – to look for any anomalies, such as inflammation or liver function.
- Imaging studies – To view the liver, gallbladder, and other organs, use techniques like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
- Endoscopy – A technique that lets a medical professional look within the upper digestive system.
Therapy for Pain in the Upper Abdomen
The underlying cause of upper abdominal pain will determine the course of treatment. Among the potential therapies are:
- Medication – For the treatment of underlying diseases, pain, or inflammation.
- Lifestyle adjustments – It could be advised to make dietary adjustments or lose weight.
- Endoscopy procedures – gastroscopy may be necessary to diagnosed peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylori gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease
- Surgical procedures – In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove gallstones, or address other underlying issues.
Book a Call
At the Clinic for Digestive Surgery, we specialise in diagnosing and treating conditions that can cause right upper abdominal pain. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and helping you find relief from your symptoms. If you are experiencing right upper abdominal pain, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us today.
