Upper abdominal pain followed by nausea after eating can indicate many different problems and complications. The pain can range from a dull, throb to a sharp, shooting pain. Sometimes gas can cause abdominal pain and nausea. In certain instances, it may be necessary to see your physician right away.
History
Depending upon the cause of the upper abdominal pain, symptoms may develop overnight or they can slowly develop over time. It's important to take note of when these symptoms occur and how often. Record what types of foods you have eaten when these symptoms occur, as this may help your health care provider determine the relation between the abdominal pain and nausea and help diagnose what is causing the pain and nausea.
Time Frame
Certain conditions, such as dyspepsia, can cause you to have sudden or recurrent upper abdominal pain and nausea after consuming a meal. Dyspepsia is also commonly referred to as indigestion, according to the Mayo Clinic. Stomach ulcers can sometimes mimic symptoms of dyspepsia. Other conditions, such as gallstones, can cause a sudden onset of upper abdominal pain and nausea very quickly after consuming a meal. Pancreatitis can cause severe, sudden upper abdominal pain and nausea after consuming a meal as well.
Significance
Medical conditions such as gallstones, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and stomach ulcers may require surgery to correct and relieve upper abdominal pain and nausea. Gallstones develop when the ducts become clogged with sludge once the gallbladder has become inflamed. Pancreatitis typically develops when your pancreas becomes inflamed; it's also within close proximity of your gallbladder. Your doctor may order an ultrasound to determine if it's your gallbladder or pancreas prior to recommending surgery, if surgery is necessary.
Size
Gallstones can range in size from pea-sized to larger than marble-sized. You may have multiple, small stones or a couple of larger stones; it depends on how they form and how much sludge has built up over time. Should your pancreas become inflamed, it can double in size. Stomach ulcers can begin as a small ulcer and rapidly increase in size.
Warning
Untreated stomach ulcers can result in the ulcer perforating your stomach lining, intestinal blockage or hemorrhaging, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Untreated gallstones can result in gangrene of the gallbladder or gallbladder perforation. Typically, pancreatitis is treated with antibiotics. When left untreated, pancreatic tissue may be destroyed, resulting in surgical removal of destroyed tissue. As a result, you can develop diabetes, since your pancreas will no longer function 100 percent. Your pancreas produces insulin, which regulates your blood sugar levels. Depending upon the severity of diabetes, you may need to take several pills each day to control your blood sugar levels or become insulin dependent and require shots to deliver insulin.
