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What Causes Severe Upper Abdominal Pain?
Posted on
Sun, 21 May 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 21 May 2017
Answered on
Mon, 12 Jun 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : hi. my mom just had strong pain in her upper abdomen on her right hand side. it lasted for about half an hour or so and was accompanied by a nauseous feeling and chills but then it went away. She had her gall bladder removed a few years ago due to gallstones so it is not that. However, her pain and symptons she described as feeling similar to that. Any insight would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Can be infection in liver.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thankls for query dear,
Fever with Chills with Right upper quadrant pain,Anorexia,Nausea ,vomiting and Malaise are very specific feature of either bacterial or amoebic liver infection.
The three major forms of liver abscess, classified by etiology, are as follows-
1)Pyogenic abscess, which is most often polymicrobial, accounts for 80% of hepatic abscess cases.
2)Amebic abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica accounts for 10% of cases.
3)Fungal abscess, most often due to Candida species, accounts for fewer than 10% of cases.
Presence of chills is suggestive of active ongoing infection.
Gall blader is loacted just in vicinity of liver so nerves supplying both originate from same trunk as pain is same in feature and character there are chances that liver is involved in infection.
A Few tests should be done asap like-
Ultrasound abdomen to rule out ongoing liver infection.
Liver function tests-usually deranged if liver is involved.
Kindly answer the following questions for a better approach-
Can she use a single finger to indicates the area or it is more diffuse.
The pain started from how long?
whether onset was sudden or gradual?
whether pain is continuous or intermittent?
Please describe the nature of the pain - stabbing, burning, gripping, ?
Is there are aggravating or relieving factors?
whether there is any radiation?
However most likely liver could be involved hence ultrasound should be done asap.
Follow up with answers and reports.
Can be infection in liver.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thankls for query dear,
Fever with Chills with Right upper quadrant pain,Anorexia,Nausea ,vomiting and Malaise are very specific feature of either bacterial or amoebic liver infection.
The three major forms of liver abscess, classified by etiology, are as follows-
1)Pyogenic abscess, which is most often polymicrobial, accounts for 80% of hepatic abscess cases.
2)Amebic abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica accounts for 10% of cases.
3)Fungal abscess, most often due to Candida species, accounts for fewer than 10% of cases.
Presence of chills is suggestive of active ongoing infection.
Gall blader is loacted just in vicinity of liver so nerves supplying both originate from same trunk as pain is same in feature and character there are chances that liver is involved in infection.
A Few tests should be done asap like-
Ultrasound abdomen to rule out ongoing liver infection.
Liver function tests-usually deranged if liver is involved.
Kindly answer the following questions for a better approach-
Can she use a single finger to indicates the area or it is more diffuse.
The pain started from how long?
whether onset was sudden or gradual?
whether pain is continuous or intermittent?
Please describe the nature of the pain - stabbing, burning, gripping, ?
Is there are aggravating or relieving factors?
whether there is any radiation?
However most likely liver could be involved hence ultrasound should be done asap.
Follow up with answers and reports.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for you response.
A few follow-up responses to your questions:
1. She can use a single finger to indicate the area
2. The pain onset was sudden, after she had a cup of coffee upon waking up
3. Pain was continuous for the half hour it lasted
4. Pain was gripping
5. No real aggravating or relieving factors. SHe tried massaging the area lightly until it went away
6. No radiation
Thanks very much.
Thank you very much for you response.
A few follow-up responses to your questions:
1. She can use a single finger to indicate the area
2. The pain onset was sudden, after she had a cup of coffee upon waking up
3. Pain was continuous for the half hour it lasted
4. Pain was gripping
5. No real aggravating or relieving factors. SHe tried massaging the area lightly until it went away
6. No radiation
Thanks very much.
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
As she is able to pin point the site of pain by finger and pain was sudden in onset an ultrasound abdomen should be done at least initially to rule out involvement of liver.
Secondly physical examination of abdomen should be done by a physician to look for tenderness or rebound tenderness.
Follow up with reports.
Wish her early recovery.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
As she is able to pin point the site of pain by finger and pain was sudden in onset an ultrasound abdomen should be done at least initially to rule out involvement of liver.
Secondly physical examination of abdomen should be done by a physician to look for tenderness or rebound tenderness.
Follow up with reports.
Wish her early recovery.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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