Why do I have pressure in my upper left abdomen?
Pain in the upper left abdomen can be caused by a stomach ulcer, acute gastritis, a viral infection, or indigestion. But it may be an issue with your lungs, like pneumonia. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.
Is left upper abdominal pain serious?
Some of the causes of pain in the upper left abdomen may be treated at home, but others can be life threatening. So it’s important to contact your doctor if your pain is unexplained, persistent, or severe — even if you don’t think it’s serious.
What organ is located in the upper left abdomen?
Organs in the left upper quadrant include the stomach, spleen, left portion of the liver, main body of the pancreas, the left portion of the kidney, adrenal glands, splenix flexure of the colon, and bottom part of the colon.
When should I go to the doctor for upper left abdominal pain?
If your pain is sudden and severe, or if it occurs with any of the following, you should seek immediate medical attention: Persistent vomiting and nausea. Constipation (especially with vomiting) Vomiting blood.
What are the warning signs of pancreatitis?
Symptoms
- Upper abdominal pain.
- Abdominal pain that radiates to your back.
- Tenderness when touching the abdomen.
- Fever.
- Rapid pulse.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
What does pancreatitis pain feel like?
The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The pain: May be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, more commonly if foods have a high fat content. Becomes constant and more severe, lasting for several days.
What are doctors looking for when they press on your stomach?
Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.
How do I know if my upper stomach pain is serious?
You should seek emergency medical attention if you have any of the following:
- severe pain or pressure.
- fever.
- nausea or vomiting that won’t go away.
- unexpected weight loss.
- yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- abdominal sweating.
- severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen.
- bloody stools.
What does pancreatitis poop look like?
In people with chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas may not function normally, leading to difficulty processing fat in the diet (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency). This can cause loose, greasy, foul-smelling stools that are difficult to flush.
What can be mistaken for pancreatitis?
A couple of acute abdominal conditions that can mimic pancreatitis include: impacted gallstones (biliary colic) gastric perforation or duodenal ulcer.
What are the early warning signs of pancreatitis?
Why does the top of my stomach hurt?
Upper abdominal pain can have a wide range of causes, from indigestion and heartburn to gallstones or a liver abscess. Much of the time, the pain is temporary and resolves on its own. Sometimes, however, upper abdominal pain is caused by something that requires immediate medical attention, like a heart attack.
Why does my stomach feel full at the top?
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up.
Why is my upper stomach bloated and hard?
When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.
What are signs that your pancreas is not working properly?
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis
Constant pain in your upper belly that radiates to your back. This pain may be disabling. Diarrhea and weight loss because your pancreas isn’t releasing enough enzymes to break down food. Upset stomach and vomiting.
What does mild pancreatitis feel like?
People with acute pancreatitis usually look and feel seriously ill and need to see a doctor right away. The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain in your upper abdomen that may spread to your back.
Does pancreatitis show up on a CT scan?
CT scans create pictures of your pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. CT scans can show pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Why does the top of my stomach hurt under my ribs?
Indigestion
Share on Pinterest Epigastric pain is felt just under the ribcage and is generally not a cause for concern. Indigestion usually occurs after eating. When a person eats something, the stomach produces acid to digest the food. Sometimes, this acid can irritate the lining of the digestive system.
Why is my upper abdomen bloated and hard?
Functional reasons for a distended abdomen tend to involve digestive problems that cause gas and/or digestive contents to accumulate. Causes might include: Gas from functional indigestion, food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Constipation causing a build-up of feces and back-up of digestive contents.
What can cause swelling on left side of stomach?
A swollen abdomen is often caused by bloating from conditions like IBS, heartburn, constipation, and menstrual cramps. But may also be a sign of fluid buildup in the abdomen, liver disease, or an intestinal blockage.
What does an inflamed pancreas feel like?
Upper abdominal pain. Abdominal pain that radiates to your back. Tenderness when touching the abdomen. Fever.
How do you rule out pancreatitis?
Diagnosis
- Blood tests to look for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, along with white blood cells, kidney function and liver enzymes.
- Abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and pancreas inflammation.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan to look for gallstones and assess the extent of pancreas inflammation.
How can you tell the difference between gastritis and pancreatitis?
Difference Between Gastritis And Pancreatitis – YouTube
What causes pain in upper stomach under breasts?
Upper abdominal pain is the primary symptom of gastritis. The pain may be felt just underneath the breast bone, in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain may also radiate from the front of the abdomen towards the back. Usually, the pain is sharp and sudden.
Why do I feel pressure in my left side?
While left side pain is often a sign of gas, it can also be a sign of a more serious condition such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, or stomach ulcers that would require urgent medical attention.