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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Gastritis While Suffering From Bipolar Disorder Be Treated?

Hello. I was attacked a few times last year by people who sprayed me with something poisonous from a spray can. Recently, I have experienced a lot of stress and bloody stool. I eat healthy and occasionally recently eat a lot of cream and sugar (just this past month) due to overwhelming anxiety from something scary about where I live and what I suffered last December. I have to wait about 2 weeks to see a gasterologist to find out if I have an ulcer. I don t know if it s an ulcer, but I am experiencing a lot of stress ever since I got attacked three times by burglars who tried really hard to kill me. But I also didn t know if my stomach acid flare-ups are exaggerated by having been poisoned (against my will) by whatever it was in their spray bottles that they were using against me. Do you think it would be wise to take something over the counter like Pepcid AC before I go in to see the doctor? I have been using tums and trying to stay away from eating gaseous foods because I think that may be what is causing it, but not sure about the blood. I take 2 prescriptions for bipolar disorder and ptsd called lithium (600 mg) and gabapentin (300 mg) and a couple of times recently I took an advil for pain and congestion. Not sure how to prevent the bleeding in the future, and also the bloating, pain, and gas in stomach.
Mon, 6 Aug 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Till you meet your doctor you can take over the counter antacid tablets which are available. Take an appointment with a gastro-enterologist and get evaluated. Some tests may be required.

To diagnose gastritis, your doctor will review your personal and family medical history, perform a thorough physical evaluation, and may recommend any of the following tests:
•     Upper endoscopy. An endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera, is inserted through your mouth and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may perform a biopsy, a procedure in which a tiny sample of tissue is removed and then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
•     Blood tests. The doctor may perform various blood tests, such as checking your red blood cell count to determine whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. He or she can also screen for H. pylori infection and pernicious anemia with blood tests.
•     Fecal occult blood test (stool test). This test checks for the presence of blood in your stool, a possible sign of gastritis.

You also need to follow a few tips to combat gastritis
1. Do not eat spicy food
2. Take medications for gastritis- Pantop/Omez/Rantac
3. Take little food at frequent intervals. Breakfast around 8 am, small snack at 11 am, lunch at 1 pm, small snack at 4 pm and dinner at 8 pm
4. Drink plenty of water
5. Do not smoke, take alcohol or tobacco and even excess of coffee and tea
6. Do not take much of stress. Stress aggravates gastritis
7. Do regular exercise. At least half an hour per day
8. Learn meditation techniques.

I also suggest you to have regular follow up with your psychiatrist for the problem of bi-polar disorder and be compliant in treatment. Your stress due to this condition may aggravate gastritis. Follow a few tips to combat your anxiety symptoms
1. Connect with others: Loneliness and isolation set the stage for anxiety. Decrease your vulnerability by reaching out to others. Make it a point to see friends, join a self-help or support group, or share your worries and concerns with a trusted loved one.
2. Practice relaxation techniques: When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.
3. Exercise regularly: Exercise is a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.
4. Get enough sleep: A lack of sleep can exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night. If you struggle with sleep, adopting smart sleep habits can make a big difference.
5. Be smart about caffeine and alcohol: If you struggle with anxiety, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake or cutting it out completely. Same with alcohol, which can make anxiety worse.
6. Train your brain to stay calm: Worrying is a mental habit you can learn how to break. Strategies such as creating a worry period, challenging anxious thoughts, and learning to accept uncertainty can significantly reduce anxiety and fear.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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How Can Gastritis While Suffering From Bipolar Disorder Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Till you meet your doctor you can take over the counter antacid tablets which are available. Take an appointment with a gastro-enterologist and get evaluated. Some tests may be required. To diagnose gastritis, your doctor will review your personal and family medical history, perform a thorough physical evaluation, and may recommend any of the following tests: •     Upper endoscopy. An endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera, is inserted through your mouth and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may perform a biopsy, a procedure in which a tiny sample of tissue is removed and then sent to a laboratory for analysis. •     Blood tests. The doctor may perform various blood tests, such as checking your red blood cell count to determine whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. He or she can also screen for H. pylori infection and pernicious anemia with blood tests. •     Fecal occult blood test (stool test). This test checks for the presence of blood in your stool, a possible sign of gastritis. You also need to follow a few tips to combat gastritis 1. Do not eat spicy food 2. Take medications for gastritis- Pantop/Omez/Rantac 3. Take little food at frequent intervals. Breakfast around 8 am, small snack at 11 am, lunch at 1 pm, small snack at 4 pm and dinner at 8 pm 4. Drink plenty of water 5. Do not smoke, take alcohol or tobacco and even excess of coffee and tea 6. Do not take much of stress. Stress aggravates gastritis 7. Do regular exercise. At least half an hour per day 8. Learn meditation techniques. I also suggest you to have regular follow up with your psychiatrist for the problem of bi-polar disorder and be compliant in treatment. Your stress due to this condition may aggravate gastritis. Follow a few tips to combat your anxiety symptoms 1. Connect with others: Loneliness and isolation set the stage for anxiety. Decrease your vulnerability by reaching out to others. Make it a point to see friends, join a self-help or support group, or share your worries and concerns with a trusted loved one. 2. Practice relaxation techniques: When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being. 3. Exercise regularly: Exercise is a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days. 4. Get enough sleep: A lack of sleep can exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night. If you struggle with sleep, adopting smart sleep habits can make a big difference. 5. Be smart about caffeine and alcohol: If you struggle with anxiety, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake or cutting it out completely. Same with alcohol, which can make anxiety worse. 6. Train your brain to stay calm: Worrying is a mental habit you can learn how to break. Strategies such as creating a worry period, challenging anxious thoughts, and learning to accept uncertainty can significantly reduce anxiety and fear. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.