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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In My Upper Abdomen After Eating?
Question: I'm concerned about a fluttering feeling I get after eating in my upper right abdomen area. The feeling continues sometimes throughout (almost like I can feel food going through my intestines). I'm also concerned that I've been having gas and slight tinges in my lower pelvic area (ovaries). I worry too much and have been looking at different websites and symptoms and my mind keeps going back to having cancer. I haven't had any weight loss or gain, or any consistent pains. I have been slightly consitpated over the last 2 days and just finished ovulating. I haven't had any significant or consistent lower back pain. I had in the past had incidents of having to urinate fequently with a feeling of not making it to the toilet but I saw a specialist who widen my urethra and since then it's been relatively okay. I do sometimes feel the urge to go but don't think it's any stronger than most people.
Brief Answer:
Gallstones seems most probable.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
If it is about any cancer, please note that cancer is generally quite rare disease. The risk of regular person to have any cancer is around 5%. It means that 5 % of all people will have a cancer. Moreover, you are very young person what makes a cancer even less possible at your case.
Upper right abdominal area is where the gallbladder and stomach can give symptoms. So in case of gallstones or peptic ulcer you may have upper middle or right abdominal pain or discomfort. The symptoms are triggered by a food. Additionally gallstones pain radiates to the back.
As behind and little bit lower to the liver there is a kidney, any urinary tract infection or stones can cause pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen (usually more to the back) which can radiate to the lower abdomen or even a groin.
I suggest you to visit your doctor and have abdominal ultrasound, blood work, liver tests and urine analysis at first. If all this tests will be negative, gastroscopy should be next.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank-you for your quick response. Could you clarify with me regarding it being gall stones - I was under the impression that gall stones are quite painfull? Is it normal for the gall stones to make me feel gassy in the intestines?
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Gallstones are very painful in case of gallbladder or bile ducts obstruction. Otherwise stones are usually hidden without any specific symptoms. Please note that many people have gallstones and do not know about them. So gallstones can cause gas feeling, bloating, loose stools, feeling of fullness after a meal etc.
Of course it might be other issue causing this symptoms, but you need to rule most common diseases first.
Hope this will help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have an appointment with my Dr. next week. I'm am curious though is it normal to feel a tinge of something throughout the day in the abdominal or lower pelvic area? I keep thinking the worse that these symptoms are something more severe than gall stones, peptic ulcer or urinary tract infection. Sometimes I do feel slightly nauseous throughout the day.
I realize until I have further tests done there is only so much you can advise on but as I said I'm scared it could be something very bad and that I'm one of those unlikely 5% of people.
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Well, human body is unpredictable and everything is possible. But it seems that cancer is as possible as car accident for example. You really do not think that you may have an accident when driving a car, do you?
From medical point there is something else about the cancer which should make you little less concerned. Cancer for a very long time does not give symptoms at all. And the pain appears usually at the last stage of the disease. Before the pain, symptoms like weight loss, weakness, fever, night sweats can be present.
So cancer really does not seem to be your problem.
For thin persons it is quite normal to feel intestines under the skin, hear gas, feel bowel movements, etc. So if you are thin, maybe this is what bothers you most.
Hope this will help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Good morning,
I had mild gas throughout the rest of the day after my last email to you. Nothing painful but noticibable. No fluttering in the upper abdomen. The gas seemed on either side of the lower abdomen. Sort of near my ovaries.
Do you think this could still just be gallstones?
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
If the gas was your only symptom (without upper right fluttering associated with eating), I would say that some bacterial problem of intestines is the most possible reason. Due to lac of good, protective intestinal bacteria, gas producing bacteria can appear. In such case, probiotic intake should improve it.
So I do not insist that this have to be gallstones, that is why I have asked you to have ultrasound done. Please also start probiotic intake.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello,
Since my last inquiry I have experience constipation (over the last 3 - 4 days) as well as an urgency to urinate. I'm able to hold off if I need for quite a long time but I do feel a sudden urge.
Also, if have been feeling slight tinges of pain in my lower pelvic area - they seem to be coming from my gas though.
Is there anything else I should be asking my Dr. to test? I had someone mention to me that because of my anxiety, poor attention to detail and some of the other symptoms I have I may want to get my thyroid tested?
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Urgency to urinate and lower abdominal pain (in the pelvis) sounds like urinary tract infection. That could also cause upper right abdominal pain which was present before (I have mentioned that previously).
Constipation can be caused by sever things including bacterial infection, medicines (Ca-blockers, antidepressants), bad diet, hypothyroidism.
Please ask your doctor to examine your abdomen. Urine analysis, abdominal ultrasound, blood work, thyroid tests and stool tests should be done.
Regards.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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