About this symptom
Pain or burning in the upper abdomen may occur after a meal, while fasting or at night. Possible explanations include functional dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, gallbladder conditions and pancreatic disorders. The location of discomfort alone cannot identify which organ is responsible.
How the symptom or condition presents
Describe precisely where the pain occurs, how long episodes last and whether meals, movement or medicines such as ibuprofen or aspirin affect it. Early fullness, nausea, bloating or belching may coexist with pain but do not establish a diagnosis of gastritis.
Important differences and warning signs
Upper abdominal pain can occasionally reflect a condition outside the digestive tract, including a cardiac problem. Sudden severe pain, chest pressure, breathlessness, collapse or evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding cannot be managed as a routine stomach complaint.
Evaluation and individual care
A clinician will review your history and examine you before selecting blood tests, Helicobacter pylori testing, abdominal ultrasound or upper endoscopy when indicated. Not everyone with upper abdominal pain needs a gastroscopy. Bring previous results and a current list of medicines.
Related information: Gastritis and gastroduodenitis; Peptic ulcer disease.
Signs and symptoms
- Aching, burning or pressure in the epigastric area.
- Discomfort related to meals or occurring at night.
- Nausea, belching, early fullness or bloating alongside pain.
Diagnosis and tests
Assessment starts with the pattern of pain, current medicines, clinical examination and alarm features. Blood tests, H. pylori testing, ultrasound or endoscopy are selected according to the findings and are not automatically necessary for every episode.
Care and treatment approaches
Treatment is directed at the identified cause and may involve adjusted eating habits, medication review or specific treatment. Prolonged self-treatment with painkillers may irritate the stomach or conceal a serious problem; discuss persistent symptoms with a clinician.
When to seek urgent care
Call 103 or 112 urgently for sudden very severe or rigid abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black tarry stools, fainting, cold sweats, marked breathlessness or pressure in the chest. Do not wait for a planned appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Does pain after eating prove I have gastritis?
No. Functional dyspepsia, reflux, biliary disease and other conditions may produce similar symptoms. A diagnosis requires evaluation of the full clinical picture.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring previous tests or endoscopy reports, a list of regular medicines and a short record of when the pain occurs and what makes it better or worse.
Does everyone with upper abdominal pain need gastroscopy?
No. A clinician decides whether endoscopy is indicated after reviewing age, alarm symptoms, examination and the overall history.
Information sources
Medical source links used when preparing this article.
Important information
A medical consultation is needed for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Self-treatment can be harmful to your health.
