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Suggest Treatment For Heartburn And Cramps In The Upper Abdominal Area
Question: I am having heartburn and cramping in upper abdominal area. Have had problems with heartburn in past. Haven't lost any weight not having problems with vomiting. Have had some constipation. Taking two nexium a day but not helping. I do have lots of anxiety. . I can swallow ok. Was wondering if this could be related to esophageal cancer
Brief Answer:
Probably not cancer. Needs evaluation and investigations
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/53 - heartburn and cramping in upper abdomen - now and in past - 2 Nexium a day - not helping - Anxiety - some constipation - no loss of weight - swallowing OK - high fiber diet - normal colonoscopy a year ago - was heavy drinker of alcohol and caffiene - quit and started again - worried about esophageal cancer ....
You have all the instigating and enhancing factors for acidity related problems, that is drinking alcohol, caffiene and have lots of anxiety too.
The heartburn is usually due to GERD that is gastro-esophageal reflux disease and the stomach contents which pass up the esophagus causes this.
Cancer of the esophagus exhibits usually as difficulty in swallowing which you do not have. The only sure-shot way to get this diagnosed or rule out are: Upper GI Endoscopy and biopsy and CT scan of the chest.
Hence I would advise you the following:
- Stop drinks and caffiene.
- Soft bland diet, small frequent meals.
- Control of anxiety by thoughts or medicines or change of lifestyle.
- Upper GI Endoscopy.
- Additional Ranitidine, antacid every 3 hours particularly when on empty stomach and motility regulator like domperidone (needs a prescription for this).
- Continue Nexium
- CT scan of the chest if required.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper and early diagnosis and proper additional treatment and curative control. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Probably not cancer. Needs evaluation and investigations
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/53 - heartburn and cramping in upper abdomen - now and in past - 2 Nexium a day - not helping - Anxiety - some constipation - no loss of weight - swallowing OK - high fiber diet - normal colonoscopy a year ago - was heavy drinker of alcohol and caffiene - quit and started again - worried about esophageal cancer ....
You have all the instigating and enhancing factors for acidity related problems, that is drinking alcohol, caffiene and have lots of anxiety too.
The heartburn is usually due to GERD that is gastro-esophageal reflux disease and the stomach contents which pass up the esophagus causes this.
Cancer of the esophagus exhibits usually as difficulty in swallowing which you do not have. The only sure-shot way to get this diagnosed or rule out are: Upper GI Endoscopy and biopsy and CT scan of the chest.
Hence I would advise you the following:
- Stop drinks and caffiene.
- Soft bland diet, small frequent meals.
- Control of anxiety by thoughts or medicines or change of lifestyle.
- Upper GI Endoscopy.
- Additional Ranitidine, antacid every 3 hours particularly when on empty stomach and motility regulator like domperidone (needs a prescription for this).
- Continue Nexium
- CT scan of the chest if required.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper and early diagnosis and proper additional treatment and curative control. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I forgot to tell you thst I do have sone hoarsness in my voice in the mornings after I have had alcohol.
Brief Answer:
Edema
Detailed Answer:
The hoarseness in the morning after having alcohol can be due to edema of the laryngeal apparatus and also indicates that alcohol is not suitable to you.
And GERD can add on the problem.
Edema
Detailed Answer:
The hoarseness in the morning after having alcohol can be due to edema of the laryngeal apparatus and also indicates that alcohol is not suitable to you.
And GERD can add on the problem.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I regurgitated a peanut at lunch today. Didn't feel like it went down all the way. Felt stuck in throat.
Brief Answer:
This may be due to pharyngitis.
Detailed Answer:
When there is regurgitation, there is regurge of the contents of stomach which can cause injury to the throat giving you the sensation of something feeling stuck in the throat.
Do not over-try to make it out or pus inside.
If you are not certain, you can have consultation with an ENT to get the pharyngoscopy done to see the throat and know the exact problem, and get appropriate treatment if needed.
This may be due to pharyngitis.
Detailed Answer:
When there is regurgitation, there is regurge of the contents of stomach which can cause injury to the throat giving you the sensation of something feeling stuck in the throat.
Do not over-try to make it out or pus inside.
If you are not certain, you can have consultation with an ENT to get the pharyngoscopy done to see the throat and know the exact problem, and get appropriate treatment if needed.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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