Does Excessive Alcohol Consumption Cause Chest Pain?

Posted on Tue, 13 Jun 2017

Question: I have binged on alcohol many times over a period of 17 years. I have stopped that habit. However, I have a dull pain on my left side under the left breast and am concerned about it. The pain is not constant and does not occur daily.
The price of health care and the cost of the possible many tests have kept me from making a Drs' appt.
What organ is in that area? I want to write my questions down so I can make a list of questions for a Dr. to avoid needless expense.
I am 64.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gastritis or ulcers causing heartburn most likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I am a Gastroenterologist and would be answering your query.

As per your history you binged on alcohol many times. Excessive and over consumption of alcohol repeatedly is one of the most common cause of severe gastritis.In severe gastritis the mucosa(lining of stomach) get irritated by alcohol leading to its inflammation.This inflammation of gastric mucosa causes pain.Pain under the left breast is suggestive of gastritis ulcers and heartburn.

In other words-Excessive consumption of alcohol is one of the most common causes of gastritis. This is because alcohol is a toxin that irritates the stomach lining, so that it becomes inflamed. This inflammation is more likely to occur if the individual regularly abuses alcohol. When people frequently drink too much alcohol, the stomach does not get the chance to recover from the irritation to the lining. This irritation can even cause ulcers also.

As per your query there are two major possibility
1)Gastritis with heartburn or ulcers in stomach Very likely.
2) Cardiac-As heart also lies in that area and alcohol and old age are both risk factor for coronary artery disease but pain related to heart is usually related to exertion.
Esophagus and heart can be the organ involved.
Initially i would like you to go for ekg if its normal go for endoscopy to look for gastritis.
In case you don't want to go for tests then take Omeprazole 40mg once daily with any over the counter antacid for few days and see if pain is relieved(pain due to gastritis typically responds to it).

Drink a cup of cold milk daily.
Take lots of yoghurt in diet.
Avoid oily or spicy food.
No smoking or alcohol.

Revert me back after 5 days.

Hope i answered your query well.
regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (2 hours later)

Thank you.
What are your thoughts on supplementing my diet with the ones I listed?
Perhaps I didn't send that properly.
I have taken milk thistle and a good multi vitamin for many years and D3 as well as DHA and EPA fish oil. Chelated magnesium also.
I also made an appt. with a local Dr.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow-up consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Milk thistle contains silymarin is a liver rejuvenator and a very potent anti oxidant.

You can continue taking it. It's good for your liver.

Vitamins minerals and antioxidants are good for overall health. But effect on heartburn and gastritis is not documented as such.Once diagnose you have to take proper treatment for that.

DHA and EPA are omega 3 unsaturated fatty acids and are very good for cardiac health.However it does not mean that taking this supplement gives you clearance from cardiac disease.Its good for cardiac health and reduces the overall cardiac risk.

You can continue taking these supplements they won't harm you. But a proper diagnosis is a must to treat the cause.
Just follow all the suggestions I gave you earlier.

In case you have any other question, I would be glad to help you.

Warm regards

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee