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What Causes Severe Pain On Left Side Below The Ribcage?
Question: I have intermittent pain on my left side. Especially after burping. Also, sometimes mild back tension.The pain is just below my left ribcage.
Brief Answer:
? Acidity/ gastritis/ GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in.
The possibilities I can think of are acidity/indigestion etc.
I would advise you to do the following:
1. Avoid spicy, oily , fatty foods.
2. Avoid pappad and pickles.
3. Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, carbonated beverages, smoking.
4. If overweight, try to lose weight.
5. Regular exercise 30 minutes a day 5 days a week.
6. Have smaller frequent meals rather than 3 large meals.
7. Drink warm water at regular intervals, which might aid in digestion.
8. Avoid exercising/sleeping /lying down immediately after a meal. Wait for at least 2-3 hours before doing so.
A tablet of proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole for a couple of days might help.
If you do not feel symptomatically better, do visit a gastroenterologist, who might advise endoscopy/ ultrasound of the abdomen.
Hope this information was helpful to you.
Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan
? Acidity/ gastritis/ GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in.
The possibilities I can think of are acidity/indigestion etc.
I would advise you to do the following:
1. Avoid spicy, oily , fatty foods.
2. Avoid pappad and pickles.
3. Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, carbonated beverages, smoking.
4. If overweight, try to lose weight.
5. Regular exercise 30 minutes a day 5 days a week.
6. Have smaller frequent meals rather than 3 large meals.
7. Drink warm water at regular intervals, which might aid in digestion.
8. Avoid exercising/sleeping /lying down immediately after a meal. Wait for at least 2-3 hours before doing so.
A tablet of proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole for a couple of days might help.
If you do not feel symptomatically better, do visit a gastroenterologist, who might advise endoscopy/ ultrasound of the abdomen.
Hope this information was helpful to you.
Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Possible,but need to rule out medical causes first
Detailed Answer:
Yes, it could be due to anxiety and stress. However, medical causes like gastritis, dyspepsia or indigestion need to be ruled out.
Do try to follow the measures I mentioned in the previous mail.
Do sign up for yoga classes. Yoga helps in maintaining good digestion and also reduces stress and anxiety.
Regular exercise 30 minutes a day 5 days a week might also help. Exercise releases endorphins which will make you feel good.
Possible,but need to rule out medical causes first
Detailed Answer:
Yes, it could be due to anxiety and stress. However, medical causes like gastritis, dyspepsia or indigestion need to be ruled out.
Do try to follow the measures I mentioned in the previous mail.
Do sign up for yoga classes. Yoga helps in maintaining good digestion and also reduces stress and anxiety.
Regular exercise 30 minutes a day 5 days a week might also help. Exercise releases endorphins which will make you feel good.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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