You are being treated for heartburn or hiatal hernia, and you feel sudden chest or stomach pain, have difficulty swallowing, are vomiting, or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas; you may have a hernia that has become obstructed or strangulated, which are emergencies.
One strong possibility for your symptom is gall bladder stones and cholesterol deposits within the gall bladder which can cause sharp pain. Getting an ultrasound of the upper abdomen done in a walk in clinic or the ER will confirm the diagnosis.
Upper abdominal spasm: Introduction. Upper abdominal spasm: Sudden involuntary contraction of the upper abdominal muscles. See detailed information below for a list of 6 causes of Upper abdominal spasm, Symptom Checker, including diseases and drug side effect causes.pper abdominal spasm: Sudden involuntary contraction of the upper abdominal muscles. See detailed information below for a list of 6 causes of Upper abdominal spasm, Symptom Checker, including diseases and drug side effect causes.