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What Causes Persistent Heartburn Issues With Abdominal Cramping And Flatulence?

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Posted on Mon, 4 Jan 2016
Question: I have had ongoing digestive / heartburn issues since September . pretty persistent - somewhat everyday either heartburn or indigestion , flatulence , stomach growling, upper GI discomfort- cramping but no consistent pain spot - cramping moves . it sort of comes and goes ..no other symptoms ... . saw GI about 5 weeks ago trying Nexium - not particularly liking the way I feel . now on " double dose" over the last week to see if conditions disappear . if still there they said - then probably upper GI testing , endoscopy - so it looks like I am heading down that road in a week or so. .

had similar issue about 4 years ago with full endoscopy and colonoscopy - all normal.

worse this time around and not disappearing.

I am generally healthy 56 year old ( except for this ) - regular exercise - 6 ft 182 lbs

I also had general check up and some follow up and just recently - the nurse called and said my glucose count was elevated at 106 . the count 5 weeks before that was 96. so they said they consider that " pre- diabetes" . I am concerned with this now since I know that the pancreas dictates insulin - so now I am worried about a possible connection ( pancreas- digestion - glucose) . on this most recent blood test - I was outside of my normal pattern -- 1) did not exercise in 3 days ( which never happens - knee issues on top of everything else)) 2) had a little coffee with cream right before the test 3) as noted above just not feeling well
what do you think about this slightly elevated glucose? .

have a follow up with the primary end of January.
just wondering what you take is on all of this?


doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your Upper GI endoscopy is inevitable !!!

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting and your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician.
I have completely reviewed your health query, and well realize all those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.


Your condition has been problematic on and off regarding your GI issues. I have reviewed all of your health concerns you raised right from the start of Oct and all of them reveal that you have Gastric hyperacidity problems.

The probable causes may be H. Pylori infection of the stomach OR some anatomical/structural pathology in esophagus and its lower sphincter that is at the start of stomach. It needs further testing and the diagnostic test of choice is H. Pylori screening and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or Upper GI Endoscopy).

NEXIUM is just a symptomatic temporary solution of the issue and if not resolved after taking it, further investigations becomes inevitable. You are now on double dose of NEXIUM without any cure at large.

So I suggest that you ask your GI Specialist for scheduling the Endoscopy and go for H. Pylori screening for you. Treatment goes accordingly.

NO, there is almost no major connection of Diabetes, Prediabetes or high blood sugar levels with the other Stomach and GI issues lingering on with time. One connection of your indigestion would had been with deranged sugar levels if you were having diabetes in the first place as diabetes causes Gastroparesis (i.e Stomach motility issues due to nerve damages and deranges stomach functions due to chronic uncontrolled diabetes).

For you to be declared as having Diabetes Mellitus, we need to go for at least 2-3 fasting blood sugar level readings and also HbA1c levels. If all out of range you may be having the issue. If a person has no diabetes there is no effect of meals on the Fasting blood sugar level (tested at different days). Body has its mechanism of adjusting the sugar level to normal overnight.

Hope I answered all of your queries. Let me know if you have further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you. Please don't forget to give 'Five star rating' (if agreed) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close This Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).


Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Hanif

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 2369 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Heartburn Issues With Abdominal Cramping And Flatulence?

Brief Answer: Your Upper GI endoscopy is inevitable !!! Detailed Answer: Thanks for consulting and your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician. I have completely reviewed your health query, and well realize all those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems. Your condition has been problematic on and off regarding your GI issues. I have reviewed all of your health concerns you raised right from the start of Oct and all of them reveal that you have Gastric hyperacidity problems. The probable causes may be H. Pylori infection of the stomach OR some anatomical/structural pathology in esophagus and its lower sphincter that is at the start of stomach. It needs further testing and the diagnostic test of choice is H. Pylori screening and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or Upper GI Endoscopy). NEXIUM is just a symptomatic temporary solution of the issue and if not resolved after taking it, further investigations becomes inevitable. You are now on double dose of NEXIUM without any cure at large. So I suggest that you ask your GI Specialist for scheduling the Endoscopy and go for H. Pylori screening for you. Treatment goes accordingly. NO, there is almost no major connection of Diabetes, Prediabetes or high blood sugar levels with the other Stomach and GI issues lingering on with time. One connection of your indigestion would had been with deranged sugar levels if you were having diabetes in the first place as diabetes causes Gastroparesis (i.e Stomach motility issues due to nerve damages and deranges stomach functions due to chronic uncontrolled diabetes). For you to be declared as having Diabetes Mellitus, we need to go for at least 2-3 fasting blood sugar level readings and also HbA1c levels. If all out of range you may be having the issue. If a person has no diabetes there is no effect of meals on the Fasting blood sugar level (tested at different days). Body has its mechanism of adjusting the sugar level to normal overnight. Hope I answered all of your queries. Let me know if you have further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you. Please don't forget to give 'Five star rating' (if agreed) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close This Discussion'. For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time). Regards! DR. HANIF USA