What causes upper abdominal pain?
Patient: I am having pain in my stomach, mostly from the bottom of my rib cage down to the belly button, on both sides. It feels as though my stomach is bruised on the inside and someone keeps pressing on the bruise. I am almost four months post-partum (3rd child) and this is the first time I'm feeling like this. I have been working out for almost two months now, and got a back massage on Friday for the first time. I started feeling like this the next day (Saturday), and this is now the third day with pain. I have been going to the bathroom regularly and don't feel nauseous at all, I just have this pain in my stomach that feels worse when I walk and lay on either of my sides. Any idea what this could be ? Thank you Doctor: Hi.Thanks for your query.You have a very specific history of pain in the upper abdomen which increases on walking or laying on side, without any nausea or bathroom related problems. This in fact can be a sore peritoneum due to inflamed intestine or lymph nodes in the said area or colitis of the transverse colon. Get a course of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines for 5 days, see the results; take strict bed rest and be on liquid diet. If there is no response please follow this:Consult a Surgical Gastroenterologist., get a clinical examination done and the investigations as suggested by Him likeRoutine tests of the blood, urine and stool, Ultrasonography and CT scan if needed of the abdomen.Colonoscopy if warranted.-This will give the proper diagnosis which is the most important part of any treatment.