Dear Rita,

The pain you experience over your right upper abdomen may be due to various reasons like

·         Gas in the Colon – Also known as the splenic-flexure syndrome, excessive amounts of gas trapped in the colon can cause pain in upper abdomen. Liver diseases: Any kind of damage to the liver or infections in the liver can also cause pain

·         Gall bladder problems: Sometimes gallbladder pain will radiate from your upper abdomen, around your side, and up into the area of the back ribs and shoulder blades. Someone with gallstones or other gallbladder problems will be especially sensitive after eating a fatty, cholesterol-rich meal

·         Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome is another common cause of upper abdomen pain . This is mostly caused by lack of fibrous food in the diet and lack of exercises. This might lead to bloating and gas problems, as food is not being able to break into simpler substances, and hence the gas generated gets trapped inside the intestine this pain is referred to upper abdomen.

·         Pancreatitis: Sharp pain that emerges from the upper abdomen and often spreads to the sides and the back is the main symptom of pancreatitis. Nausea, vomiting, fever, yellowish skin and a racing heartbeat are some other symptoms observed. A heavy meal or excessive alcohol can cause shooting pain.

·         Heart burns or GERD : This is a common cause of pain in the upper abdomen. This may be triggered as a result because of over-consumption of acidic foods or drinks that generally cause heartburn. Some may experience a bloated feeling due to lack of stomach acid to break down the food.

·         Muscle strain or injuries

·         Stomach ulcers - A sharp pain can denote an ulcer in the stomach. Depending on the severity of the condition, the pain may last only a few minutes or reoccur in intervals.

In your case, it must be most probably due to GERD and gastritis or just gas entrapment.

Try these following if symptoms don’t get better talk to your doctor

·         Avoid taking spicy foods and prevent long term use of anti inflammatory drugs. Avoid excessive alcohol.

·         Avoid or limit fatty food

·         Avoid late time meal.

·         Try OTC antacid during pain to see if it gets better.

·         Include fiber in diet.

Nothing to worry about! The treatment depends upon the underlying condition that has caused the pain. Consult your health care provider to perform the following:

·         Chest x-ray

·         Ultra sound

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Take Care,

AskMDx Team