HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Discomfort In Rib Area, Mild Pain, Tenderness. Is It Due To Alcohol Consumption?

I'm having some discomfort in the left rib area. I'm not sure if I would describe it as pain, but if so, it's mild pain. It's mainly just discomfort and tenderness. I consume alcohol on a daily basis and have done so for approximately 2 years. Before that, I consumed about every other day. I'm 26 and I've consumed alcohol progressively since I was 17. The most recent discomfort I'm referring to occurred approximately 3 hours after having my last drink, which was today. In hindsight, I recall having similar discomfort, but to a much lesser extent, after similar alcohol consumption. However, those occurrences, for whatever reason, did not cause me alarm. I'm certain that the alcohol is related to the discomfort/tenderness I'm feeling, so I guess I'm wondering what could possibly be causing this type of problem and what I should do, along with avoiding alcohol, to make it go away.
Fri, 27 Sep 2013
Report Abuse
Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

Long-term alcohol intake can cause heart disease like cardiomyopathy, but the pain that you are describing seems to me to be more suggestive of alcohol-induced damage to the food pipe and stomach. This pain is also often felt in the left side of chest and may be mistaken as heart related pain. Antacids usually help in this pain.

Please avoid taking alcohol in an empty stomach. Also get your blood tested for elevation in liver enzymes, to rule out liver damage. The best thing would be if you could see a doctor for a detailed evaluation to assess the damage that has already occurred from alcohol. Please seriously consider quitting alcohol or at least cutting down.

Hope this is of help. Best wishes.

I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Alcohol abuse


Loading Online Doctors....
Discomfort In Rib Area, Mild Pain, Tenderness. Is It Due To Alcohol Consumption?

Hi, Long-term alcohol intake can cause heart disease like cardiomyopathy, but the pain that you are describing seems to me to be more suggestive of alcohol-induced damage to the food pipe and stomach. This pain is also often felt in the left side of chest and may be mistaken as heart related pain. Antacids usually help in this pain. Please avoid taking alcohol in an empty stomach. Also get your blood tested for elevation in liver enzymes, to rule out liver damage. The best thing would be if you could see a doctor for a detailed evaluation to assess the damage that has already occurred from alcohol. Please seriously consider quitting alcohol or at least cutting down. Hope this is of help. Best wishes.