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What Causes Fast Heart Beat And Short Breath Inspite Of Having GERD?
Question: Was told I was having anxiety attacks by fam doc, but doesn't seem to be the case if I burp, the symptoms stop almost immediately. I have gastritis, GERD and some LPR symptoms diagnosed with upper GI tests. Is there something with those that can cause fast heart rate, slight lightheadedness, shortness of breath, tons of pressure in chest that is instantly relieved by expelling gas? Trapped or irritated nerve? I do not feel anxious when it happens, no feelings of being scared, going crazy, Im not afraid of dying, low stress lifestyle. Diagnosis of panic attacks does not make sense, I don't feel panicked at all. I've also laid down and took a nap, actually fell asleep in the middle of all those symptoms. I do have extremely low levels of vitamin D, magnesium, vit b12 and calcium were borderline low. Gerd is *not* responding to the five different meds they've had me try. Suggested surgery, I want to avoid. Can low stomach acid actually be causing stomach problems? How is that diagnosed? Would that explain the deficiencies as well despite a very healthy, well-rounded organic diet?
Brief Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM
Detailed Answer:
Symptoms that you are describing can be caused by the diagnosis that you have and many people who have gerd, LPR,hiatal hernia or gastritis, experience this.
You should do gastroscopy and barium swallow to verify is there only gastritis or hiatal hernia,esopahgeal stenosis or some other disorder.
Acid reflux causes not just esophageal irritation but many other symptoms such as shortness of breath, lump in throat,bloating, heart palpitation, dizziness. This happens duet to irritation of vagal nerve which is responsible for several function related to breathing, swallowing, heart and lung function. These symptoms of course lead to anxiety and if there is some objective cause of it, then vitamins or anxiety medicines wont help.
In some cases it wont respond to standard antiacid therapy but you should continue with it. also, you need to avoid spicy food, fried food, coffee,alcohol, food that makes you bloated,carbonated drinks, high sugar food. YOu should lose weight if overweight and eat high fibre food, more vegetables, boiled mead etc. You should eat more often but smaller meals. also,dont sit or lay afer eating.try to lay with elevated upper body.
If there is still no improvement,you need surgery which is called Nissen fundoplication, it can be done laparoscopicaly. unfortunately even surgery isnt succesful in some cases,but this is the option which should be considered especially in young patients as you are. It may be permanent solution and everything else may help just a bit or temporarily.
Wish you good health. Regards
Hi and welcome to HCM
Detailed Answer:
Symptoms that you are describing can be caused by the diagnosis that you have and many people who have gerd, LPR,hiatal hernia or gastritis, experience this.
You should do gastroscopy and barium swallow to verify is there only gastritis or hiatal hernia,esopahgeal stenosis or some other disorder.
Acid reflux causes not just esophageal irritation but many other symptoms such as shortness of breath, lump in throat,bloating, heart palpitation, dizziness. This happens duet to irritation of vagal nerve which is responsible for several function related to breathing, swallowing, heart and lung function. These symptoms of course lead to anxiety and if there is some objective cause of it, then vitamins or anxiety medicines wont help.
In some cases it wont respond to standard antiacid therapy but you should continue with it. also, you need to avoid spicy food, fried food, coffee,alcohol, food that makes you bloated,carbonated drinks, high sugar food. YOu should lose weight if overweight and eat high fibre food, more vegetables, boiled mead etc. You should eat more often but smaller meals. also,dont sit or lay afer eating.try to lay with elevated upper body.
If there is still no improvement,you need surgery which is called Nissen fundoplication, it can be done laparoscopicaly. unfortunately even surgery isnt succesful in some cases,but this is the option which should be considered especially in young patients as you are. It may be permanent solution and everything else may help just a bit or temporarily.
Wish you good health. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can this be caused by low stomach acid? Is there a test to find out for sure? I have read a lot lately and it seems it could be an easy fix with XXXXXXX tablets or digestive enzymes. Especially as standard H2 blockers and PPI's made me feel worse. If I have gastritis, would this make it worse if I were to experiment without finding the cause first? I'm not overweight at all. In fact, went from what I feel was a healthy 128 to 119 in the last few months because it's so hard to find food that won't irritate my stomach and kick all the symptoms in. I have the worst symptoms when I eat protein, but I also have pretty bad hypoglycemia, so I avoid carbs as much as possible and need the protein/good fats. Just want to figure out the root cause, so I can get back to normal, or as normal as possible because this can be debilitating at times. Live in super rural area, so gastro doc appointments have to be done by referral, fam doc won't give me another one unless I have a compelling enough reason, so trying to figure out as much as I can on my own. Thanks, I really appreciate your first answer. That makes so much sense to me!
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
It is true that some symptoms of high stomach acid and GERD are similar to those for low stomach acid/Hypochloridia. My opinion that hypochloridia is not the first thing to think of but if there is no any improvement after standard antiacid medicines and dietary changes, then it should be considered in the differetnial diagnosis. it usually goes with abdominal discomfort, bloating, belching after certain types of food. even heartburn may be felt.
There are certain tests for it but it is questionable is it available in your place: VEGF, PH-metry, Heidelber stomach test or Betaine Hydrochloride test.
If confirmed,it is usually treated with betaine hydrochloride or Ascorbic acids.
It is not usually recommended to try with these without confirmation of the diagnosis, but if you cant do necessary tests then you can try with emoiric therapy with XXXXXXX tbl and enzymes,but you must stop it if symptoms worsen or there is no improvement. in every casem you should consult your doctor about it. I still think that this will be gerd or hiatal hernia.
hi
Detailed Answer:
It is true that some symptoms of high stomach acid and GERD are similar to those for low stomach acid/Hypochloridia. My opinion that hypochloridia is not the first thing to think of but if there is no any improvement after standard antiacid medicines and dietary changes, then it should be considered in the differetnial diagnosis. it usually goes with abdominal discomfort, bloating, belching after certain types of food. even heartburn may be felt.
There are certain tests for it but it is questionable is it available in your place: VEGF, PH-metry, Heidelber stomach test or Betaine Hydrochloride test.
If confirmed,it is usually treated with betaine hydrochloride or Ascorbic acids.
It is not usually recommended to try with these without confirmation of the diagnosis, but if you cant do necessary tests then you can try with emoiric therapy with XXXXXXX tbl and enzymes,but you must stop it if symptoms worsen or there is no improvement. in every casem you should consult your doctor about it. I still think that this will be gerd or hiatal hernia.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Great! Thank you so much! I have made a new appointment and will ask about getting referred to find out if I have a hiatal hernia, and won't mention the low stomach acid until I am at the gastro docs. You have been a huge help in figuring all of this out, and I really appreciate your time and patience explaining all of this so thoroughly! Thank you!!
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
I am glad I could help. thank you. it is not easy to find grateful patients today. If you have any other question I ll be glad to help.
hi
Detailed Answer:
I am glad I could help. thank you. it is not easy to find grateful patients today. If you have any other question I ll be glad to help.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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