5 Common GI Conditions That Can Cause Upper Abdominal Pain

Pain in the upper abdomen might indicate different health problems. Your gastrointestinal tract travels down from your mouth down to the anus. Many different issues that occur in the gastrointestinal tract can cause upper abdominal pain. The upper abdomen contains a number of organs including the stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and others. Each of these organs is crucial for overall well-being and overall body function.

Below are the 5 most common gastrointestinal problems that can cause upper abdominal pain. 

1. Gastritis

Gastritis is one of the most common causes of upper abdominal pain. Gastritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of your stomach. The most common cause of gastritis is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. However, it can develop because of poor diet, high alcohol intake, chronic stress, and autoimmune disease. 

Early symptoms of gastritis mimic indigestion. For this reason, people often ignore them trying to treat indigestion. If you have symptoms like upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe weight loss, be sure to visit a gastroenterologist. The doctor can recommend additional testing to rule out the risk of gastritis and other more serious bowel diseases.

2. Indigestion

Indigestion is a feeling of discomfort in your stomach. This condition can produce symptoms like abdominal pain, feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, burning in the upper abdomen, and nausea. It is important to remember that indigestion can be a symptom of a serious underlying gastrointestinal disease. While indigestion is a common problem, every person may experience it in slightly different ways. 

The treatment of indigestion usually includes lifestyle changes. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain products and medications that can trigger indigestion. Eliminating or reducing the intake of caffeine and alcohol may also be helpful. If your indigestion persists, the doctor may prescribe medications. 

3. Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are a condition in which open sores develop in your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. The most common cause of peptic ulcers is the bacteria H. pylori, the same bacteria that causes gastritis. This condition may produce a lot of unpleasant symptoms like burning stomach pain, feeling of fullness, bloating, intolerance to fatty foods, heartburn, and nausea.

Peptic ulcers require professional medical help. Untreated peptic ulcers may result in serious health problems like internal bleeding, hole in your stomach wall, obstruction, and even gastric cancer. The treatment of peptic ulcers usually includes medications and lifestyle modifications. 

4. Gallstones

Gallstones are small deposits of solid material that form in your gallbladder. In the beginning, the gallstones can be small, but over time they become bigger and may reach the size of a golf ball. When the gallstones are small, they rarely cause symptoms. But bigger gallstones can cause severe complications when they start moving through the bile duct. This can produce symptoms like intense pain in the upper right, back pain, nausea, and vomiting. 

Untreated gallstones can lead to inflammation of the gallbladder, blockage of the common bile duct, blockage of the pancreatic duct, and even gallbladder cancer. If you suspect you have gallstones, be sure to visit your doctor as soon as possible.

5. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of a small finger-shaped organ (appendix) that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. This condition can cause severe pain in the least part of your abdomen. The pain may worsen when inflammation becomes more intense. Other symptoms that you may experience include nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence. 

If you have appendicitis, it is crucial to get timely treatment. Untreated appendicitis may rupture and result in a life-threatening condition called peritonitis. Surgery to remove inflamed appendicitis is the typical treatment.