Upper Stomach Pain: Understanding Where the Pain Comes From
Stomach pain produces a massive effect on a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living; if one experiences pain in the upper stomach, it mustn’t be taken lightly as it can be a symptom of a serious underlying health condition. Determining the exact cause of upper stomach pain can be quite tricky but no matter what the cause is, it is most likely to be internal. The cause of pain in the upper stomach is often determined by the characteristics of the pain, the degree of severity and any accompanying symptoms. The primary cause can also be discovered depending on which side of the stomach the pain is felt and for how long the person has been experiencing it. For patients, describing and explaining to one’s physician in detail where the pain is coming from significantly aids in arriving with the correct diagnosis.
Middle severe upper stomach pain that is accompanied by a severe back pain and is felt after consuming a meal can signify problems associated with the pancreas; the pain eventually radiates to the sides and may also occur several hours after drinking a great deal of alcohol. Accompanying symptoms such as fever and nausea and vomiting makes inflammation of the pancreas more of a possible cause. If the pain in the upper stomach is accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the upper abdominal area, it is possible that a person has hiatal hernia; one must also watch out for other symptoms such as chest pains and heartburn. Pain felt in the right upper stomach that comes from the right side and radiates towards the chest can signify the presence of gallstones; when the pain, however, is chronic and accompanied by fatigue and fever, a viral infection may be suspected. Left upper stomach pain which is felt with nausea and vomiting and is triggered by stressful conditions and a recent intestinal infection presents the possibility of an irritable bowel syndrome.
Chronic upper stomach pain may be due to viral hepatitis if other symptoms such as dark urine and jaundice are also manifested. Pain felt in the upper stomach that is characterized as dull and is accompanied by indigestion or heartburn is characteristic of gastritis; pain that is aggravated with food intake and relieved during an empty stomach is a common symptom of gastric ulcers. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is suspected when a person reports a persistent upper stomach pain that is described as a burning sensation and may also affect the chest; it is usually accompanied by difficulty in swallowing and regurgitation. Understanding how to pinpoint the possible causes of upper stomach pain through their location, quality and duration will enable a person to know which immediate actions to take. However, one must understand that qualified professionals are the ones ultimately responsible for creating the final diagnosis and that in the event of a stomach pain, one must seek immediate medical attention and obtain early diagnosis and treatment to prevent the potentially deleterious effects of the possible health problems.



























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