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What Causes Spasms In The Upper Abdominal Region?
So just a few minutes ago, I felt this spasm, this single spasm in my upper abdominal area, it only lasted a second, it felt like I was being punched, but it didn't hurt. This isn't the first time I've felt this, back in high school, I would feel this spasms, it would last a second and nothing else happened, however, I would manage to lose some weight, the most recent one other then what I felt just a few minutes ago was about two months ago where, despite not being very painful, it was the most intense spasm I've felt thus far, like a huge punch in the stomach. I'm guessing this happens every time I make a change in my diet or exercise habits, I just recently started exercising again. Should I be concerned about this?
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 16 Apr 2016
Answered on
Mon, 18 Apr 2016
Last reviewed on
Hi-
Great question. It depends on which part of the upper abdomen you are referring to. Above the stomach, right upper quadrant, or left upper quadrant? If the pain worsens after consuming a fatty meal and is in the right upper quadrant, you may want to be concerned about a gallstone (cholelith). Small bowel obstructions also present with "colicky" abdominal pain, but typically nausea is prominent. Other illnesses to consider would be food allergies such as lactose or gluten sensitivity, or even muscle spasm.
A good idea might be to write in a diary every time you feel these spasms and record the foods you consumed just prior to the episode.
Sincerely,
Brian, MPAS, PA-C
Great question. It depends on which part of the upper abdomen you are referring to. Above the stomach, right upper quadrant, or left upper quadrant? If the pain worsens after consuming a fatty meal and is in the right upper quadrant, you may want to be concerned about a gallstone (cholelith). Small bowel obstructions also present with "colicky" abdominal pain, but typically nausea is prominent. Other illnesses to consider would be food allergies such as lactose or gluten sensitivity, or even muscle spasm.
A good idea might be to write in a diary every time you feel these spasms and record the foods you consumed just prior to the episode.
Sincerely,
Brian, MPAS, PA-C
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