What Causes Upper Right Abdominal Pain?

Posted on Sat, 17 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 9 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been experiencing upper abdominal pain from time to time that seems to be localized on my rib on my right side near my sternum. I can feel moderate pain in that area and if i push on the rib I can increase the pain (and also have the urge to belch). Additionally, after I eat the pain is a bit worse. I also occasionally experience pain on the same rib in my back where the rib meets the vertebra. A year ago I was experiencing similar pain and went through extensive testing (including ultrasounds and CT scans).
My question: I wondered what medical conditions might explain such pain and whether such symptoms are consistent with pancreatitis?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Costochondritis with or without acidity related problems.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read your history carefully and understood your concerns.
As per the history you have provided, my thought:
The most probable cause I can think of is costochondritis with or without lower esophagitis.
Belching can be a reflux phenomenon on pressure on the affected rib.
Upper GI Endoscopy will help with confirming or ruling out about esophagitis/gastritis, spasm or so.
No, not consistent with pancreatitis.

I hope this answers your query.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar