15 Causes of Upper Abdominal Pain

2**. Indigestion**

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, happens when you feel discomfort or pain in your upper abdomen, usually during or after eating. You may notice a burning feeling between your chest and belly button, an early sense of fullness, bloating, or mild nausea.

Indigestion is not the same as heartburn, although the two can occur together. It often relates to how you eat and the types of food you choose. Eating too quickly, overeating, or consuming fatty, spicy, or greasy foods can upset your stomach. Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, and emotional stress can also trigger symptoms.

Sometimes, indigestion is linked to underlying issues. These can include temporary irritation of the stomach lining, inflammation, or sensitivity to certain medications such as pain relievers and antibiotics. More serious conditions, such as ulcers, gallstones, or inflammation of the pancreas, may also cause similar discomfort.

3. Gastritis

Gastritis happens when the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed. This irritation can be short-term or long-lasting. It often causes discomfort in the upper abdomen and a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount.

You might notice nausea, burping, bloating, or loss of appetite. Some people have no symptoms, while others experience sharp or burning pain in the middle or upper abdomen. In more serious cases, vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds or having dark stools can signal bleeding in the stomach.

Gastritis can develop for several reasons. Common causes include infection with Helicobacter pylori, frequent use of anti-inflammatory pain relievers, and heavy alcohol use.

4. Stomach Viruses

A stomach virus, also called viral gastroenteritis, affects the stomach and intestines. It commonly causes upper abdominal pain along with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramping. The pain is often felt in the upper abdomen and may feel like cramping or tenderness. This illness spreads easily through contact with an infected person, contaminated food, or surfaces.

Several viruses can cause viral gastroenteritis. The most common include norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus. Norovirus often spreads quickly in crowded environments such as schools and cruise ships. Rotavirus more commonly affects young children, although adults can become infected as well. Symptoms usually begin within one to two days of exposure. You may feel stomach discomfort before vomiting or developing loose stools. Some people also experience mild fever, chills, or muscle aches.

5**. Muscle Pain**

Muscle pain in the upper abdomen can occur when the muscles in that area become strained. This often happens after lifting heavy objects, doing intense exercise, or experiencing repeated coughing. Sudden twisting movements or core workouts that overwork the abdominal muscles can also trigger soreness.

The discomfort usually feels sore, tight, or tender, especially when you touch the area or move in certain ways. Muscle-related pain tends to be localized and worsens when you tighten, stretch, or use the muscles, which helps distinguish it from pain that comes from internal organs. Many people notice that the pain begins after physical activity or an unusual movement, making the cause easier to identify.

Mild muscle strain often improves with rest, gentle stretching, and applying a warm compress to relax the muscles. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also help if used as directed. Muscle pain can also follow a direct injury or bruise to the abdominal wall, such as from a fall or impact.

6**. Appendicitis**

Appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes swollen or inflamed. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the large intestine. When it becomes blocked, often by stool, a growth, or infection, it can fill with pus and cause pain.

Pain from appendicitis typically begins around the belly button and then shifts to the lower right side of the abdomen. The pain usually becomes stronger and more constant over time. Movements such as coughing, walking, or pressing on the area can make the pain worse. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or a mild fever.

Although the appendix is located in the lower right abdomen, early discomfort can sometimes feel like upper abdominal pain. This happens because abdominal nerves overlap, making it difficult to pinpoint the source at first. For this reason, early appendicitis may be mistaken for indigestion or stomach upset.

7**. Gallstone**

Gallstones form when substances in bile, such as cholesterol, harden inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder sits beneath the liver and stores bile, a fluid that helps your body digest fats. Many people have gallstones without symptoms, but problems can develop if a stone blocks a bile duct. When symtoms occur, you may feel steady pain in the upper right abdomen or the middle of the upper stomach.

The pain can last from 30 minutes to several hours and may spread to the back or right shoulder. Nausea and vomiting are also common during these painful episodes. Certain factors increase the risk of developing gallstones. These include being over age 40, being female, having overweight, rapid weight loss, and eating a diet high in fat and low in fiber.

8**. Liver or Pancreas Issues**

Liver-related pain is usually felt under the right ribs. Conditions such as hepatitis or fatty liver disease can cause this type of discomfort. You might also notice symptoms like ongoing tiredness, nausea, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. These signs often develop gradually, which can make them easy to miss early on. Pancreas-related pain is more often felt in the upper middle or left side of the abdomen.

Acute pancreatitis can cause sudden, severe pain that may worsen after eating, especially fatty foods. The pain may spread to the back and last for several days. Chronic pancreatitis develops more slowly and can lead to persistent discomfort, along with weight loss due to poor digestion. Several factors can contribute to liver or pancreas problems. Common causes include heavy alcohol use, gallstones that block the pancreatic duct, and certain infections. In some cases, pancreatic cysts or cancer may be involved.

9. Hepatitis Infection

Hepatitis is an infection that occurs when a virus causes inflammation in the liver. The liver plays an important role in digestion, energy storage, and filtering toxins from the body. When the liver becomes inflamed or damaged, you may feel pain or tenderness in the upper right side of your abdomen, just below the ribs, where the liver is located.

There are several types of hepatitis viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A usually spreads through contaminated food or water, while hepatitis B and C spread through blood or other body fluids. In some cases, hepatitis causes no noticeable symptoms for years. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the skin and eyes, also known as jaundice.

Hepatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis lasts for a short time and may resolve on its own. Chronic hepatitis develops when the virus remains in the body for many years, sometimes silently damaging the liver and increasing the risk of scarring or liver failure.

10**. GERD**

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, often called GERD, happens when stomach acid flows backward from the stomach into the esophagus. This backflow can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause a burning pain in the upper abdomen or chest, commonly known as heartburn. This discomfort is often more noticeable after large meals or when you lie down too soon after eating. This backflow usually happens because of a problem with the muscle that controls acid flow.

GERD develops when the muscle at the end of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, becomes weak or relaxes at the wrong time. This muscle is meant to close after food enters the stomach. When it does not close properly, acid can escape and cause irritation. Certain factors can increase your risk, including being overweight, smoking, and eating foods such as spicy or fatty meals.

11. Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia happens when part of your stomach pushes upward through an opening in your diaphragm and into your chest. The diaphragm is the thin muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. This condition is common, especially in people over age 50, and many people have a hiatal hernia without noticing any symptoms.

When symptoms occur, they are often related to stomach acid moving upward into the esophagus. You may feel a burning pain in the upper abdomen or chest after eating, commonly known as heartburn. Other symptoms can include acid reflux, bloating, frequent burping, and discomfort or difficulty when swallowing.

Eating smaller meals more frequently can reduce pressure on the stomach. Avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating, and consider raising the head of the bed slightly to help prevent acid from rising during sleep. Limiting foods and drinks that trigger reflux, such as fried or spicy foods, may also help reduce discomfort.

12. Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach empties food into the small intestine more slowly than normal. This problem is not caused by a physical blockage but by a disruption in how the stomach muscles and nerves function.

Because food stays in the stomach longer, digestion becomes less efficient and pressure can build in the upper abdomen. Common symptoms include upper abdominal pain or discomfort, feeling full after eating only a small amount, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. Some people may also experience unintended weight loss because they struggle to eat enough or keep food down.

Gastroparesis can develop for several reasons. Diabetes-related nerve damage, prior stomach or esophagus surgery, and other forms of nerve injury are common causes. In some cases, the cause is unknown.

13. Peptic Ulcers

A peptic ulcer is an open sore that forms in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. It develops when the protective mucus layer weakens and stomach acid damages the tissue underneath. This often causes a burning or dull pain in the upper abdomen, especially between meals or during the night.

The pain may improve briefly after eating, drinking milk, or taking acid-reducing medicine, but it often returns later. Other symptoms can include bloating, nausea, and feeling full after small meals. In more serious cases, dark stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds can signal bleeding in the stomach.

Peptic ulcers are most commonly caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori or frequent use of certain pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Smoking and heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of developing ulcers and may also slow healing.

14. Spleen Problems

The spleen is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just under the ribs and behind the stomach. It plays an important role in fighting infection, filtering old blood cells, and storing healthy blood cells for later use. Because of its position, problems with the spleen often cause pain or discomfort in the upper left abdomen.

Several conditions can affect the spleen, including enlargement (called splenomegaly), infection, or injury. Certain infections, chronic illnesses, and blood disorders can cause the spleen to enlarge or interfere with how it works. An enlarged spleen may trap and destroy more blood cells than normal, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, easy bruising, or more frequent infections.

When the spleen becomes enlarged, you may feel a dull ache beneath the left ribs or feel full quickly after eating because the swollen spleen presses against the stomach. A direct blow to the upper abdomen can also injure or rupture the spleen, which may cause sudden, severe pain on the left side that can spread to the shoulder.

15. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can sometimes cause pain in the upper abdomen. This happens because the lower parts of the lungs lie close to the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. When lung tissue becomes inflamed, the pain may feel as though it is coming from the upper stomach rather than the chest.

Along with upper abdominal pain, you may experience symptoms such as fever, chills, cough with thick mucus, shortness of breath, and chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing. Some people also have nausea or vomiting. In older adults, symptoms may appear differently and can include confusion or sudden fatigue.

Pneumonia develops when bacteria, viruses, or fungi infect the lungs. It may begin after a cold or flu. In some cases, breathing in food, liquid, or vomit can also lead to pneumonia.

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