Upper abdominal pain / discomfort or dyspepsia may be due to conditions affecting oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, bile duct, liver or pancreas. Dyspepsia is not typically related to intake of food.

When accompanied by other features such as nausea, weight loss, lethargy, jaundice etc., alarm should be raised, and referral for expedient work-up be made. Infrequently, the colon, abdominal aorta or spine may be the site of pathology. From the clinical history, the likely cause of pain is usually apparent, such as a bleeding ulcer or gallstones flatulence.

a. OGD (oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy): oesophagitis, gastritis, ulcer, polyps or tumour may be identified and biopsy taken.

b. Ultrasound of the abdomen: gallbladder stones, cysts or tumours in liver or kidney, obstructed bile ducts or mass in pancreatic head.

c. CT scan of the abdomen & pelvis: tumours or in solid organs eg. pancreas, lymphadenopathy, occult infections or lesions in spine.

d. Manometry & pH studies: reflux and retention of acid in lower oesophagus, and peristalsis and tonic contractions of oesophagus.

e. Barium meal: ulcers, polyps or tumours. This may be offered as an alternative to OGD, but it is not possible to perform biopsy nor test for Helicobacter pylori infection. Subtle changes including early gastric cancer may be missed.

f. Colonoscopy: polyps, tumours or diverticular disease.

Once the cause of the abdominal pain is found, treatment is relatively standard. For e.g., proton pump inhibitor and antibiotics are used for ulcer related to helicobacter pylori infection. It is important to appreciate that common conditions typically respond well to treatment. Hence when symptoms persist or worsen in spite of treatment, further clinical examinations and tests or procedures may be required. Some patients may in fact have functional disorders, which would require longer periods of treatment and monitoring.