Upper Abdominal Pain – Causes and Effective Treatment

Usually upper abdominal pain can be caused by something natural like a pulled muscle but if the pain keeps on persisting then it means there are some underlying issues responsible for the pain.

Upper abdominal pain

The upper part of the abdomen houses various important organs, these organs include the pancreas, stomach, spleen, adrenal gland, liver, gallbladder, a part of the small intestine and kidneys. (x)

Visit a doctor for the correct diagnosis and managing your symptoms if the pain doesn’t go away in few days, this could mean it is something serious. (x)

Causes of Upper Abdominal Pain

Pancreatitis

As the name suggests, this is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a flat and long gland that is responsible for the digestion and processing of sugar. It is located behind the stomach area and the inflammation of pancreas can cause serious upper abdominal pain.

Some symptoms may be:

  • Fever
  • Rapid pulse
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Chronic pain
  • Tender feeling when the abdomen is touched
  • Shooting pain after eating
  • Upper abdominal pain that shoots to the back

Gastritis

Caused by a bacteria, gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused due to excessive use of pain relievers and drinking. Gastritis can cause painful sensation in the upper abdominal area and it gets worse during eating.

Some common symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Feeling full after eating (x)

Peptic Ulcer

An ulcer occurs on the inside of the lining of the stomach or in the anterior part of the small intestine.

Like gastritis it can be caused by an increased use of pain relievers, aspirin or bacteria. The pain of a peptic ulcer is felt on the left side of the upper portion of the abdomen.

Some common signs may include the following:

  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Bloating and burping
  • Feeling full after eating a little
  • Fatty food intolerance

Cancer

Various types of cancer can also cause upper abdominal pain. These include:

  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Bile duct cancer

It depends on what type of cancer you have, the pain can be either on the left side or right side, may even spread in the entire area of the abdomen.

Some signs to be aware of are:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Jaundice
  • Constipation
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting and nausea

Hepatitis

This is the infection of the liver that causes severe upper abdominal pain. Hepatitis is mainly of three types and some common symptoms can be:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice
  • Itchy skin
  • Joint pain
  • Dirty and dark colored urine (x)

Bloating and Gas

Severe abdominal pain can also be caused by the presence of gas or air in the abdomen. This causes the abdomen to feel bigger and look swollen due to bloating and can cause a lot of discomfort.

The following could be the cause of bloating and gas:

  • Acid reflux
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Premenstrual syndrome
  • Constipation
  • Stomach cancer
  • Endometriosis (x)

Do you know another important cause of bloating and gas could be a leaky gut? To find out if you have a leaky gut take the test below!

Leaky Gut Protocol

Treatment for Upper Abdominal Pain

The treatment always depends on the underlying cause of the issue. This includes getting to the root cause of the pain, avoiding any foods that trigger its onset, treating gallstones, liver issues, pancreatitis, or even heartburn.

Writing down some exact treatment or preventive measures is not possible, however there are general recommendations that can aid in lowering the symptoms and risk of developing it.

  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Drinking loads of water
  • Eat small meals
  • Avoid laying down right after having a meal to avoid having indigestion issues or heartburn.

If the cause of your pain is due to some inflammatory bowel disease or an irritable bowel syndrome then you may want to try following our Leaky Gut Protocol to reduce or even totally eliminate symptoms!

Home Remedies for Upper Abdominal Pain

Using hot compress

The warmth of a hot compress helps in relaxing muscles of the abdomen, this reduces the pain. Apply a hot compress for about 20 minutes as often as you feel necessary.

Increase water Intake

If your pain is the result of toxins presents or some kidney issue then drinking a good amount of water will help in flushing out the toxins to relieve the pain. Staying hydrated also helps in improving a poor digestive issue.

Apple Cider Vinegar

To help with proper organ function, use apple cider vinegar, it helps in balancing the pH levels in the body. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar in a cup of water and drink this twice a day, honey can also be added to give it a natural sweetness.(x)