Experiencing Pain In Chest And Lower Abdomen And Shortness Of Breath. Related To Heart Problem?
Thanks for writing in.
I am a qualified and certified cardiologist. I read your mail with diligence.
To be 100% sure in 52 year person to say that heart disease is there or not one needs history (present or absent) of risk factors like blood pressure (which you said is normal), cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and most important EKG and Stress test. However there are pointers in the description of pain that one can say with reasonable certainty that pain is not because of heart though breathlessness association can not be explained unless you have asthma like symptoms or if you are a smoker. You can write about these factors (of those known to you) in follow up question, I will be most happy to answer.
I feel you have is a condition in which spillage of gastric contents occur in food pipe called gasto esopageal reflux disease GERD. What I suggest is, till you show to to a doctor and get heart disease excluded do following things:
1. There are over the counter medicines (antacids etcetra available which can be tried till you are prescribed specific medicines for GERD (as Prilosac). None the less some life style changes, I am sure most you have done, just to re capitulate:
a)Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen,
pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
If your weight is healthy, work to maintain it. If you are overweight or obese,
work to slowly lose weight — no more than 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram)
a week.
2. Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
3.Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine may make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn.
4. Eat smaller meals. Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals.
5. Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying
down or going to bed.
6. Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by six to nine inches. If it's not possible to elevate your bed, you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective.
7. If you are a smoker please do not smoke. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly. Good Luck.
With best wishes.
Dr Anil Grover,
Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
now you have a better picture.
Yes I have a better picture and I have a better news. It is not heart which is causing pain in all probability. Yes additionally if you have traveled abroad or have eaten suspect food (hygiene wise preparation) outside, a course of treatment for Giardiasis will be advisable but that is prescription drug Tinidazole 500 mg twice a day for three days ought to solve your abdominal pain problems.
Regards.
Dr Anil Grover