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What Causes Severe Pain In Upper Stomach And Chest Along With Nausea?

Posted on Mon, 21 Mar 2016

Question: I've been having a lot of upper stomach / lower chest discomfort and pain. as well as some reflux and nausea. I have a endoscopy scheduled but not for about a month and wanted to know how I know the difference between a ulcer or just reflux. And if it's possibly an ulcer how concerned should I be. worried about it perforating.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

If it is an ulcer, you will get burning/gnawing pain in the upper abdomen which may get relieved with food intake. This pain may sometimes disturb your sleep.

If it is acid reflux, you will get symptoms like heartburn, sour belching, nausea, discomfort behind the chest bone, feeling of lump in the throat etc and sometimes cough, sore thraot.

If it is an ulcer , get tested for H.pylori infection which is the commonest cause and treat it with antibiotics and PPI.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (7 minutes later)

ok. thank you. I have been tested for H.pylori and it was negative but I know it can still be an ulcer possibly. like I said I do have a endoscopy scheduled but I'm just wondering how how easily they perforate. I have an event coming up before my endoscopy and would like to have 3 or 4 drinks but not if the possibility of perforation is likely.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to avoid drinks

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is not confirmed yet that you ave any ulcer.
The risk of perforation is not very high with a few drinks.

But still I would advise you to avoid drinks till the diagnosis is confirmed.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (5 minutes later)

could you explain the tenderness below breastbone. what it could be from.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be an ulcer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The area in upper abdomen just below the breastbone is where the stomach, left lobe of liver and pancreas are situated. Issues related to these can cause tenderness.

In your case, ulcer is a possibility.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (9 minutes later)

so if it is an ulcer then does that mean no alcohol intake?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If it is ulcer or pancreas or liver issues, alcohol should be avoided.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 minute later)

how are the other issues diagnosed.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Scan and blood tests

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The other issues can be diagnosed with ultrasound scan of the abdomen, liver panel and serum amylase and lipase test.

But based on the information provided, liver and pancreas issues less likely in your case. Acidity/ulcer issue more likely.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 minute later)

ok. one more question. how likely is an ulcer. and if it how long do they take to heal. how long till I can eat spicy food or drink alcohol again.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
8 weeks of treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Ulcer more likely.
You may need 8 weeks of treatment if it is an ulcer.
You can take spicy food and alcohol after that.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar