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What Causes Upper Abdominal Pain With History Of Gall Bladder Removal?
Question: I have a pain high up in my stomach which radiates into my lower abdomen. No idea what causes it but it is aggravated by wheat or ice cream, milk and probably other foods, although there is no scientific evidence for that. Stress and anxiety may also be factors. I have had my gall bladder removed about 5 years ago but it did not cure the problem. It has been suggested I have ibs.
Since I have been more careful about what I eat the pain is not there every day. However I have it for about 10 days now.
Since I have been more careful about what I eat the pain is not there every day. However I have it for about 10 days now.
Brief Answer:
Peptic ulcer can be the reason.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Upper abdomen is where stomach is located. Any stomach issues including peptic ulcer, stomach inflammation can cause upper middle abdominal pain. It is characteristic for such pain to appear after a meal or when you are hungry. Lack of appetite, nausea, burping can be also present.
It is also very common for peptic ulcer pain to be misdiagnosed as gallstones pain. Such patients, after gallbladder removal have no improvement.
Anxiety and stress are a factors of increased stomach acid production and can trigger peptic ulcer formation.
Other possible reason of your pain is a large intestine issues. Such symptoms can appear due to a polyp, colon cancer, diverticulitis (just below the stomach large intestine is located). Large intestine issues give usually bowels pattern changes (can be constipation or diarrhea). Moreover, over the age of 50 the risk of colon cancer significantly rises.
I suggest you to consult gastroenterologist. Gastroscopy should be done (I assume abdominal ultrasound and blood work have been already done) to rule out peptic ulcer and to determine if there is any Helicobacter Pylori infection.
Colonoscopy should be done either way (as you are over the age of 50).
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Peptic ulcer can be the reason.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Upper abdomen is where stomach is located. Any stomach issues including peptic ulcer, stomach inflammation can cause upper middle abdominal pain. It is characteristic for such pain to appear after a meal or when you are hungry. Lack of appetite, nausea, burping can be also present.
It is also very common for peptic ulcer pain to be misdiagnosed as gallstones pain. Such patients, after gallbladder removal have no improvement.
Anxiety and stress are a factors of increased stomach acid production and can trigger peptic ulcer formation.
Other possible reason of your pain is a large intestine issues. Such symptoms can appear due to a polyp, colon cancer, diverticulitis (just below the stomach large intestine is located). Large intestine issues give usually bowels pattern changes (can be constipation or diarrhea). Moreover, over the age of 50 the risk of colon cancer significantly rises.
I suggest you to consult gastroenterologist. Gastroscopy should be done (I assume abdominal ultrasound and blood work have been already done) to rule out peptic ulcer and to determine if there is any Helicobacter Pylori infection.
Colonoscopy should be done either way (as you are over the age of 50).
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
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. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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