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 Stomach Pain. The upper part of the abdomen consists of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and the duodenum. An infection, a disorder, or an inflammation in any one of these parts of the abdomen can cause upper stomach pain. Pancreatitis-Pancreatitis can occur due to excessive alcohol use, viral infections, and diseases of the gallbladder. 2  Upper abdominal pain is a main symptom of pancreatitis. 3  In addition, abdominal swelling, back pain, nausea, and vomiting can also occur. 4  Reflux Esophagitis-This is due to inflammation of the oesophagus.