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Can Influenza Cause Nausea?
Question: Three weeks ago I went into the ER with extreme, unbearable upper abdomen pain. They ran every test imaginable in the next four days. Two weeks prior I had influenza bad. I had an endoscopy, and an upper one also, along with many blood tests, and a nuclear test on my heart. This Is the third week home, and I am nauseous most of the time feels like my food is stuck right where the pain was before. The testing all showed normal, except that my iron levels are low. They put me on iron, and that is when I started feeling nauseous. Do you have any ideas about what might be wrong? Or is this normal after all I've been through?
Brief Answer:
Could be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your problem could be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Often such a thing does not come up on any tests.
Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces.
If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand, the bowel habits would not be proper.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician
Could be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your problem could be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Often such a thing does not come up on any tests.
Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces.
If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand, the bowel habits would not be proper.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr.
Further info. I forgot to mention is this. I did not have any nausea, before the procedures were done. I did not name the one properly it was an exploratory laproascopy. They made 4 small incisions in my stomach area, and the only thing found was a bezore 3/4 of the way down my small intestine. I am wondering if procedures would make me nauseous for this many weeks after. I actually feel like it is similar to morning sickness. My nose is extra sensitive, and just the thought of some foods make me feel sick. I have not thrown up, just feel like it, as well as feeling like the food is stuck sometimes. Thank you for your info. I appreciate it. I am eating small meals, and yogurt. Just cannot eat too much too often. Thanks again!
Also with the endoscopy they did not find anything in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or anywhere else.
Further info. I forgot to mention is this. I did not have any nausea, before the procedures were done. I did not name the one properly it was an exploratory laproascopy. They made 4 small incisions in my stomach area, and the only thing found was a bezore 3/4 of the way down my small intestine. I am wondering if procedures would make me nauseous for this many weeks after. I actually feel like it is similar to morning sickness. My nose is extra sensitive, and just the thought of some foods make me feel sick. I have not thrown up, just feel like it, as well as feeling like the food is stuck sometimes. Thank you for your info. I appreciate it. I am eating small meals, and yogurt. Just cannot eat too much too often. Thanks again!
Also with the endoscopy they did not find anything in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or anywhere else.
Brief Answer:
Take some antiemetic
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The bezoar seems to have been the culprit. It had possibly slowed down the intestinal motility and therefore caused nausea and vomiting. With the bezoar now gone it would still take some time to get back to normal. You need to take antiemetics like meclizine for the time being.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician
Take some antiemetic
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The bezoar seems to have been the culprit. It had possibly slowed down the intestinal motility and therefore caused nausea and vomiting. With the bezoar now gone it would still take some time to get back to normal. You need to take antiemetics like meclizine for the time being.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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