They are often felt at the top of the abdomen in the middle and can be associated with acidic reflux symptoms and belching. There are a number of causes and details of the symptom pattern helps to guide investigations. The best test is a gastroscopy (endoscopy of the stomach) which enable direct examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum) and also enables biopsies to be taken to assess for possible causes of symptoms such as Helicobacter pylori infection.
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