What causes intermittent pain above the navel?

Pain above the navel should be evaluated based on its precise location, as the underlying causes vary depending on the specific site.First, pain in the right upper quadrant is primarily associated with hepatic and biliary disorders, such as fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, various viral hepatitis infections, cholecystitis, gallstones, and gallbladder polyps.

Second, pain localized to the epigastric region (upper central abdomen) is commonly due to gastric conditions, including gastritis, gastric erosion, gastric ulcers, and gastric polyps.

Third, pain in the left upper quadrant is mainly attributable to pancreatic or splenic disorders. Pancreatic involvement most frequently manifests as acute or chronic pancreatitis. Splenic pathology typically involves splenomegaly, which may result from numerous etiologies—common causes include cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hematologic disorders.