The pain y Upper digestive discomfort refers to discomfort and unpleasant sensations affecting the upper abdomen, primarily the stomach and oesophagus, and tend to manifest as burning, heaviness, bloating, or sharp pain after eating. These symptoms are common and can be due to benign causes like reflux, indigestion, or gastritis, but also to more serious problems that require medical attention. Below, we will look at What are the main causes and how to identify them.
Epigastric pain (epigastralgia)
What is the patient feeling
The patient usually notices a Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen region, just below the chest. It can be described as pressure, burning, stabbing, or a feeling of emptiness, and can appear on an empty stomach or after eating.
In some cases, the pain is intermittent and mild, but in others it can be more persistent or intense, affecting day-to-day life. It can also accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, nausea, or uncomfortable digestion.
What pathology may be related
When you should consult
- If the pain is persistent. It doesn't disappear with time.
- If it interferes with your day-to-day. It affects feeding or rest.
- If it doesn't improve with standard treatment. Persistence despite medication.
- If there are associated symptoms. Weight loss, vomiting, or bleeding.
How do we handle it at GASTEA?
Preguntas frecuentes
No. It could be due to gastritis, reflux, an ulcer, functional dyspepsia, or other digestive causes.
When the pain is frequent, persistent, severe or appears alongside weight loss, vomiting, anaemia or bleeding.
Yes. In some patients it is related to meals, heavy digestion, heartburn or a feeling of fullness.
It depends on the case, but a gastroscopy, blood tests, or the Helicobacter pylori test may be indicated.
Indigestion (dyspepsia)
What is the patient feeling
The patient usually notices Heaviness, fullness or discomfort in the upper abdomen After eating, even with normal meals. Sometimes a feeling of slow digestion, bloating, or the need to stop eating sooner than usual appears.
When it is repeated frequently, it can affect the relationship with food and cause concern. In some cases, it is accompanied by nausea, burping, heartburn, or a feeling of early satiety.
What pathology may be related
When you should consult
- If there is weight loss. Unintentional weight loss with no changes in diet.
- If you have difficulty swallowing. Feeling that food gets stuck as it passes.
- If vomiting is constant. Especially if they show traces of blood.
- If the discomfort does not improve. Persistence of heaviness after several weeks.
How do we handle it at GASTEA?
Preguntas frecuentes
No. They can also be due to gastritis, reflux, functional dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori, or other digestive problems.
When it occurs frequently, doesn't improve with basic changes, or is accompanied by weight loss, vomiting, anaemia, or persistent pain.
Yes. In some cases, there are upper digestive symptoms without a visible lesion on the tests.
Yes, but it depends on the cause producing it.
Nausea
What is the patient feeling
The patient usually notices a Unpleasant stomach sensation appears as Nausea, although vomiting doesn't always occur. It can be a one-off or last for hours or days.
In some cases, it is accompanied by a lack of appetite, general malaise, or a rejection of certain foods. When it is persistent, it can affecting daily diet and well-being.
What pathology may be related
When you should consult
- If they are persistent. Discomfort that lasts for several days in a row.
- They prevent feeding. Difficulty retaining liquids or solids without vomiting.
- If accompanied by severe pain. Acute abdominal pain with nausea.
- If there are signs of dehydration. Feeling very thirsty, dry mouth or decreased urination.
How do we handle it at GASTEA?
Preguntas frecuentes
It's not usual. If they recur or persist, it's advisable to have them assessed.
No. Many times they appear without vomiting occurring.
Yes, they are a common symptom of digestive problems, although not exclusively.
Yes. The treatment depends on the cause: nausea caused by a digestive problem, an infection, a functional disorder, or medication side effects are not treated the same way.
Vomiting
What is the patient feeling
The patient notices that They can't keep food down well o the liquids and ends up expelling them through the mouth. Sometimes it starts with nausea, cold sweats, or a feeling of general malaise, and other times it appears more suddenly.
When vomiting is repeated, it can lead to weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain or difficulty eating and drinking normally. In such cases, it is important to assess what is causing them.
What pathology may be related
When you should consult
- If there is dehydration. A very dry mouth, dizziness, or absence of urine.
- If the pain is severe. Severe abdominal discomfort that does not cease after vomiting.
- If they are persistent. Inability to tolerate any liquids for more than 12 hours.
- If they present blood. Presence of red residue or "coffee grounds" appearance.
How do we handle it at GASTEA?
Preguntas frecuentes
When they are persistent, intense or accompanied by dehydration, blood or weight loss.
Not always. They can have different origins, not just digestive.
Yes. The treatment depends on the cause: vomiting due to gastric irritation, an infection, a stomach emptying problem, or an obstruction are not treated the same way.
Yes, but it depends on the cause producing it.
Discomfort after eating (indigestion, postprandial fullness)
What is the patient feeling
The patient feels that the food “lies heavy” on their stomach” What It takes a long time to digest., even if you haven't eaten too much. You might feel pressure, heaviness or discomfort in the upper abdomen shortly after eating.
Sometimes this feeling makes it difficult for them to finish meals, to feel full sooner than usual, or to prefer to avoid certain foods. It can also be accompanied by bloating, belching or mild nausea.
What pathology may be related
When you should consult
- If it is persistent. A recurring feeling of difficulty with every meal.
- If there is weight loss. Unintentional weight loss due to lack of intake.
- If pain occurs when swallowing. Discomfort or sharp pricking when food passes.
- If there is choking. Frequent episodes of coughing or choking during swallowing.
How do we handle it at GASTEA?
Preguntas frecuentes
It can happen occasionally, but if it's frequent, it's worth considering.
Not always. There can be functional or digestive causes that explain it.
Yes, it is one of the most common causes when there are no visible injuries.
Yes. The treatment depends on the cause, so it is important to investigate it if it persists.
Feeling full very soon (postprandial fullness)
What is the patient feeling
The patient notices that it fills up with a very small amount of food, Even before finishing a normal meal. You may feel pressure, heaviness or discomfort in the upper abdomen shortly after starting to eat.
Sometimes this feeling makes me reduce my portions, avoid certain foods or lose interest in eating. It can also be accompanied by Slow digestion, bloating, mild nausea o Discomfort after meals.
What pathology may be related
When you should consult
- If satiety is extreme. To fill up on just a few mouthfuls of food.
- If there is abdominal pain. Sharp pain or pressure in the upper abdomen.
- If there is weakness or fatigue. Unusual tiredness due to insufficient food intake.
- If associated with vomiting. Regurgitation of gastric contents shortly after starting to eat.
How do we handle it at GASTEA?
Preguntas frecuentes
It can occur sporadically, but if it happens frequently, it's worth considering.
Yes. It can be associated with functional dyspepsia, gastritis, gastric emptying disorders, or other causes.
Yes, especially if it affects your diet, is accompanied by weight loss, or appears persistently.
Yes. The treatment will depend on the cause: early satiety due to functional dyspepsia, gastritis, or altered gastric emptying is not treated the same way.
Price
- Clinical assessment of the symptom. We analyse from when it appears, with which meals it occurs and how it is affecting eating habits.
- Definition of the necessary study. We determine if it is necessary to carry out tests to identify the cause and guide treatment.
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