Upper abdomen is a part of the trunk between the lower ribs and the navel.
Causes of Upper Middle Abdominal Pain
1. Esophageal (Gullet) Disorders
- Upper central abdominal pain during swallowing may appear in esophageal varices (mainly in chronic alcoholics) or in esophageal ulcers due to prolonged gastric acid reflux
- Strong painful cramps in the esophagus that may be felt behind and below the breastbone may be due to:
- Dry food
- Hard passage of the food because of the dry esophageal mucosa (in dehydration), overgrown fibrous tissue (strictures) in prolonged GERD or, rarely, in systemic sclerosis
- Improper relaxation of the muscles that embrace the stomach entrance (cardia) due to damaged nerves (mostly during surgery)
Diagnosis is made from history or by upper endoscopy (esophagoscopy).
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