Brief Answer:
Heart pathology /irritable bowel. Diet modifications to be tried

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Would you please clarify a few things for me?
1) other than fullness, indigestion and occasional pain, what other symptoms? (diarrhea, mucus/blood in stools)

2)please describe the pain and any triggers you may have noticed (after certain types of food, heavy meal, for instance)

3)do you smoke or consume alcohol? If so how much and how frequently?

4)do you have any other medical conditions.?any medications?

I would:
- get a detailed medical, personal and family history
-clinically examine you.
- get routine blood tests (complete blood count, ESR, lipid profile, blood glucose panel, kidney and liver function tests)
-get an electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram (if indicated), a chest x-ray.
- do a colonoscopy /endoscopy if clinically indicated.

Based on the findings and results I would like to primarily rule out heart pathology (which may present with gastrointestinal symptoms due to poor circulation) and intestinal pathology (inflammatory bowel, infection, irritable bowels, tumors)

I recommend that you-
:limit the amount of fiber intake. Try natural sources like veges, sprouts, fruits rather than supplements.
: stay well hydrated (your urine should be light colored through the day)
: avoid processed foods, refined grains, sugary, carbonated drinks and too much caffeine.
: Include whole grains, fruits and fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds and chew all food thoroughly to aid in digestion.
: monitor trigger foods by keeping a diary and writing down what you eat and when it causes symptoms.

If these don't help or show improvement in 3 weeks, or if you develop new symptoms like severe pain, blood in stools or no stools, see your doctor right away.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health

Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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Brief Answer:
Consult cardiologist, avoid alcohol

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. Bender
Thank you for the follow up and the clarifications.

Some of the medications you take can cause your symptoms. Have you recently started taking any of these or had any dose adjustments (in the past couple of months or before your symptoms started)?

I recommend that you visit your cardiologist if you haven't done so after these symptoms started, just to make sure we aren't missing anything subtle. You could, maybe, try to talk to him to see what he thinks if your are not able to meet him right away.

In the meantime, do try my suggestions and I hope it will help you.
Your alcohol consumption seems moderate but please note that it may interact or interfere with medicines and their effects. Your liver parameters need to monitored as well. Increased risk of bleeding while on warfarin is possible.
I recommend that you avoid alcohol.

Hope you feel better.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
I would appreciate a follow up.

If not, please close this discussion and rate my answer

Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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