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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In The Abdomen?

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Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017
Question: I have the strangest 'fluttering' feeling in my stomach. It's very intense. I've always had a very strong aorta beat in my stomach, but it feels like it's about to burst. What can I do, and what is causing this? Do I need to see my PCP?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are having palpitaion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Firstly thanks for selecting health care magic to ask your query.

The feeling ou are having is called palpitation.Palpitations can feel like the heart is fluttering, throbbing, flip-flopping, murmuring ,or pounding.However in some cases these sensations can be felt in abdomen stomach,limbs and head also.

1)Strong emotional responses, such as stress or anxiety-Extra-cardiac stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (inappropriate stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve (which innervates the heart), can be caused by anxiety and stress due to acute or chronic elevations in glucocorticoids and catecholamines hormones which can cause palpitations.


2)Over use of nicotine and caffeine.

3)Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)

Common abnormal heart rhythms are-
ectopic beat, premature atrial contraction, junctional escape beat, premature ventricular contraction, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, heart block.

5)Palpitation may be associated with electrolyte imbalances of magnesium, potassium and other salts in serum.

6)Gastrointestinal distress such as bloating or indigestion, along with muscular imbalances and poor posture, can also irritate the vagus nerve causing palpitations)

Suggestion-

I would prescibe you following tests
1) Thyroid profile- to rule out hyperthyroidism.
2)24 hour holter monitoring- will record the ECG continuously during a 24-hour or 48-hour period. If palpitation occurs during this period it will be recorded in ECG recording and we can rule out the cardiac rhythm at the time.

3) Serum electrolytes - a disturbance in serum electrolytes can cause palpitations , they can be corrected easily.

If you are a smoker give up smoking.
Don't take alcohol in excess.
Try to do 45 minutes of exercise daily.
If you are anxious person with elevated anxiety levels cardiologist will prescribe you with benzodiazepene to lower your anxiety.
Don't eat oily ,fatty and spicy food for some days.
Add fibres to your diet.


The above mentioned investigations are the basic test which can be helpful in finding out the cause of palpitations.
As prevention is always better then cure, i would suggest you to take the problem seriously.

In case you need more details or have any other query ,feel free to ask ,i would be happy to help you!
Thanks
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In The Abdomen?

Brief Answer: You are having palpitaion. Detailed Answer: Hi dear, Firstly thanks for selecting health care magic to ask your query. The feeling ou are having is called palpitation.Palpitations can feel like the heart is fluttering, throbbing, flip-flopping, murmuring ,or pounding.However in some cases these sensations can be felt in abdomen stomach,limbs and head also. 1)Strong emotional responses, such as stress or anxiety-Extra-cardiac stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (inappropriate stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve (which innervates the heart), can be caused by anxiety and stress due to acute or chronic elevations in glucocorticoids and catecholamines hormones which can cause palpitations. 2)Over use of nicotine and caffeine. 3)Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) Common abnormal heart rhythms are- ectopic beat, premature atrial contraction, junctional escape beat, premature ventricular contraction, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, heart block. 5)Palpitation may be associated with electrolyte imbalances of magnesium, potassium and other salts in serum. 6)Gastrointestinal distress such as bloating or indigestion, along with muscular imbalances and poor posture, can also irritate the vagus nerve causing palpitations) Suggestion- I would prescibe you following tests 1) Thyroid profile- to rule out hyperthyroidism. 2)24 hour holter monitoring- will record the ECG continuously during a 24-hour or 48-hour period. If palpitation occurs during this period it will be recorded in ECG recording and we can rule out the cardiac rhythm at the time. 3) Serum electrolytes - a disturbance in serum electrolytes can cause palpitations , they can be corrected easily. If you are a smoker give up smoking. Don't take alcohol in excess. Try to do 45 minutes of exercise daily. If you are anxious person with elevated anxiety levels cardiologist will prescribe you with benzodiazepene to lower your anxiety. Don't eat oily ,fatty and spicy food for some days. Add fibres to your diet. The above mentioned investigations are the basic test which can be helpful in finding out the cause of palpitations. As prevention is always better then cure, i would suggest you to take the problem seriously. In case you need more details or have any other query ,feel free to ask ,i would be happy to help you! Thanks