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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Heartburn, Constipation And Abdominal Distention?

I have a friend who is about 64 and she has been experiencing heartburn, constipation, bloating (visible) not able to eat much, stomach upset, etc. Has had ultrasound of stomach that showed nothing. Nexium did not help. Now her GI has ordered an endoscopy but not for another 2 weeks. She is miserable. Sister does of throat cancer. her symptoms remind me of my mom s and she dies of ovarian cancer. Any thoughts?
Wed, 11 Sep 2019
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Noted the history about your 64 year old friend having bloating, heartburn and constipation. Reminds of you of cancer in your family.
Surely, 64 age with such symptoms has to be a lot of concern as advance age needs to be looked for possibility of cancer.
Ultrasonography is not of much use in such a case:
Ask her the following after discussing with her Doctors.
X-ray abdomen in standing position gives more information than Ultrasonography in cases of bloating. As it can show obstructed bowels as dilated segments of intestine.
Upper GI Endoscopy will help to know the cause of heartburn.
CT scan of abdomen is the best investigation as it helps to get a diagnosis better.
Once the diagnosis has been established then the specific treatment can help the patient to get a proper management as needed.
All things to rule out cancer are surely a need at the age of 64.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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What Causes Heartburn, Constipation And Abdominal Distention?

Hi, Noted the history about your 64 year old friend having bloating, heartburn and constipation. Reminds of you of cancer in your family. Surely, 64 age with such symptoms has to be a lot of concern as advance age needs to be looked for possibility of cancer. Ultrasonography is not of much use in such a case: Ask her the following after discussing with her Doctors. X-ray abdomen in standing position gives more information than Ultrasonography in cases of bloating. As it can show obstructed bowels as dilated segments of intestine. Upper GI Endoscopy will help to know the cause of heartburn. CT scan of abdomen is the best investigation as it helps to get a diagnosis better. Once the diagnosis has been established then the specific treatment can help the patient to get a proper management as needed. All things to rule out cancer are surely a need at the age of 64. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon