Upper Abdominal Pain Treatment Q&A

At Express Health Urgent Care, we understand that experiencing upper abdominal pain can be distressing and, at times, indicative of serious medical conditions. Located between the chest and the belly button, this type of pain can emerge due to various causes and, although often benign, may warrant prompt medical attention in certain circumstances.

If you’re experiencing intense, persistent, or severe upper abdominal pain, we recommend visiting our Express Health Urgent Care centers for an immediate evaluation. Symptoms like fever, nausea, unexplained weight loss, or jaundice alongside upper abdominal pain should not be overlooked, especially in older adults, since these could be indicative of stomach cancer.

Pain that radiates to the back, shoulders, or chest, or is accompanied by chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or pain in your arm or shoulder could signal a heart attack, which requires immediate attention. We also advise patients with underlying conditions like heart disease, liver disease, or gallbladder disorders to visit us if they experience severe upper abdominal pain.

At Express Health Urgent Care, we aim to determine the underlying cause of your upper abdominal pain to provide effective treatment. Common causes include indigestion, heartburn, gallstones, ulcers, pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney stones, and muscle strains.

While not all cases of upper abdominal pain can be prevented, we can guide you on lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk. Our team can help you maintain a healthy diet, manage alcohol consumption, establish a regular exercise routine, and provide stress management techniques. We also offer assistance for those looking to quit smoking.

Visceral Pain originates from organs within the abdominal cavity, often described as dull, aching, burning, or cramping. Conditions such as gastritis and pancreatitis, both of which we can diagnose and manage at our clinic, often cause this type of pain.

Parietal Pain is sharp and localized, originating from the lining of the abdominal cavity or the abdominal muscles. This type of pain can be triggered by direct irritation of the peritoneum, such as during inflammation or infection. Gallstones, can often cause this type of pain.

Referred Pain is pain felt in the upper abdomen but caused by conditions outside the upper abdomen. For example, a heart attack can cause pain that radiates into the left upper abdomen.

Other common causes of upper abdominal pain include peptic ulcers and heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), both of which are conditions that we can assess and manage at our clinic.

In rare cases, gastric cancer, hepatitis, or cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) can also cause upper abdominal pain.

If you are experiencing upper abdominal pain, we urge you to seek medical attention at Express Healthcare, particularly if the pain is severe or persistent, accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), if there is blood in your vomit or stool, or if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. At Express Health Urgent Care, our team of experienced physicians is ready to provide you with prompt and effective care.

At Express Health Urgent Care, we frequently encounter patients with upper abdominal pain, a common complaint that can originate from various conditions, often related to the digestive system.

One prevalent cause we diagnose is peptic ulcer disease, marked by sores or ulcers on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine, or esophagus. Patients with these ulcers often report a burning or gnawing upper abdominal pain, particularly after meals or during the night.

Another condition we often see is Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux. This condition occurs when stomach acid or bile irritates the lining of the esophagus, leading to discomfort in the upper abdomen or chest, typically after eating.

Gallstones, hard deposits in the gallbladder, are another common cause of upper abdominal pain. These can cause sharp, sudden pain when they block the ducts leading to the intestines.

We also treat patients with gastritis, characterized by an inflammation of the stomach lining. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Other conditions we diagnose and treat that can cause upper abdominal pain include pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, and various liver diseases.

While these are some of the most common causes, upper abdominal pain can be due to other conditions as well. Therefore, if you are experiencing persistent or severe upper abdominal pain, we strongly recommend you visit us at Express Health Urgent Care. Our team of experienced healthcare providers is ready to diagnose and treat your condition, ensuring your health and well-being.

Upper abdominal pain can signify a range of health conditions, from mild discomfort to severe illnesses. At Express Health Urgent Care, we understand the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for certain symptoms to ensure effective and timely treatment.

If you experience severe abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, rapid breathing, pale skin, confusion, or blood vomiting, it’s crucial to visit our clinic immediately as these symptoms may indicate internal bleeding.

Symptoms indicative of a perforated ulcer or other gastrointestinal perforation also warrant immediate medical attention. These symptoms include sudden excruciating pain that worsens with movement, a rigid abdomen, tenderness upon examination, nausea and vomiting, and fever.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of pancreatitis, such as severe, lingering upper abdominal pain that radiates to your back, nausea and vomiting, fever, abdominal distension, and confusion or disorientation, visit Express Health Urgent Care promptly.

Equally, symptoms of biliary colic, such as sudden severe pain in the right upper quadrant, nausea and vomiting, jaundice, fever, and pain that worsens when lying down, require immediate medical intervention.

At Express Health Urgent Care, we also encourage patients to visit our facility if they experience pain that does not subside with over-the-counter pain relievers, pain that worsens over time, fever or chills, difficulty breathing, rapid or irregular heartbeats, changes in bowel habits, or blood in the stool.

When you are uncertain about the severity of your symptoms or if your condition doesn’t improve with over-the-counter treatments, we recommend visiting our clinic. Additionally, symptoms like upper abdominal pain accompanied by a high fever, vomiting blood, bloody or black stools, yellowing of skin or eyes, or unexplained weight loss are serious and require immediate medical attention. These could be signs of severe conditions like liver disease or peptic ulcers.

At Express Health Urgent Care, your health and safety are our top priorities. We strive to provide professional medical evaluations promptly to prevent possible complications and ensure your well-being. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations in East Harlem NYC, Metropolitan NYC, and Staten Island NYC. We serve patients from East Harlem NYC, Manhattan NY, Brooklyn NY, Metropolitan NYC, Williamsburg, NY, Greenpoint NY, Staten Island NYC, Rossville, NY, Tottenville, NY, and surrounding areas.