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What Causes Intermittent Gnawing Pain In The Stomach And Abdominal Distension?
Question: FOR THE LAST WEEK I HAVE HAD A GNAWING ACHE IN STOMACH WHICH SEEMS TO COME AND GO.
DISTENTION ALSO. NO OTHER NOTABLES. COULD I HAVE AN ULCER
DISTENTION ALSO. NO OTHER NOTABLES. COULD I HAVE AN ULCER
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
A gnawing or sore feeling in the upper left or upper middle of your abdomen can be from stomach irritation, including gastritis and it is possible to have an ulcer.
If you are noting black, tarry appearing or bright red blood in stools, then do go in to be seen promptly. Also, if you have had any vomiting of something that looks like coffee grounds. All of this indicates bleeding.
You can try an H2 blocker such as Zantac (generic is ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day (or 300 mg once a day). This medicine will decrease stomach acid by 70% and allow the stomach lining to heal.
Avoid, for now, drinking any alcohol, or acidic foods such as citrus. Limit foods with tomato. Avoid caffeine. Eat frequently in small amounts.
If these things don't start to help in the next few days, OR if the pain and distention get worse, then do go in to be seen.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
A gnawing or sore feeling in the upper left or upper middle of your abdomen can be from stomach irritation, including gastritis and it is possible to have an ulcer.
If you are noting black, tarry appearing or bright red blood in stools, then do go in to be seen promptly. Also, if you have had any vomiting of something that looks like coffee grounds. All of this indicates bleeding.
You can try an H2 blocker such as Zantac (generic is ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day (or 300 mg once a day). This medicine will decrease stomach acid by 70% and allow the stomach lining to heal.
Avoid, for now, drinking any alcohol, or acidic foods such as citrus. Limit foods with tomato. Avoid caffeine. Eat frequently in small amounts.
If these things don't start to help in the next few days, OR if the pain and distention get worse, then do go in to be seen.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No vomitting attt all. No bleeding evident anywhere. Do I neead a prescritption
for zantac
for zantac
Brief Answer:
Non-prescription
Detailed Answer:
Zantac is over the counter (non-prescription) now. You can get it at any drugstore such as Walgreens, etc.
Non-prescription
Detailed Answer:
Zantac is over the counter (non-prescription) now. You can get it at any drugstore such as Walgreens, etc.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
how long will this take to heal
thank you
thank you
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
As your symptoms have only been occurring for a short time, they may turn around quickly with treatment in which case you may only need the H2 blocker for about 2 weeks. For more severe problem, it may take 6 weeks.
There is another class of acid reducer I should mention, called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). If you are not showing signs of improvement on the Zantac within a few days, then you should go in to your doctor who may prescribe a PPI. There are PPIs that are sold without prescription, but I tend to avoid recommending those as they have more side effects than H2 blockers and also rebound acid production on discontinuation of them. Zantac is safer. But if Zantac isn't enough, then a prescription strength PPI, after being examined by your doctor, is the next step.
Information
Detailed Answer:
As your symptoms have only been occurring for a short time, they may turn around quickly with treatment in which case you may only need the H2 blocker for about 2 weeks. For more severe problem, it may take 6 weeks.
There is another class of acid reducer I should mention, called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). If you are not showing signs of improvement on the Zantac within a few days, then you should go in to your doctor who may prescribe a PPI. There are PPIs that are sold without prescription, but I tend to avoid recommending those as they have more side effects than H2 blockers and also rebound acid production on discontinuation of them. Zantac is safer. But if Zantac isn't enough, then a prescription strength PPI, after being examined by your doctor, is the next step.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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