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What Causes Severe Stomach Pain In An Alcoholic?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Question: I have pain in the center of my stomach close to the bottom of my right hand rib cage, I have had for quite a while. I am a regular drinker but have had blood work and ultra sounds on my liver but nothing has come up.
Not sure what it is
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Costochondritis/ gastric/ lower lung and pleura.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/38 - visited a Doctor - can not find anything - pain in the center of stomach close to the bottom of right rib cage - for quite a while - regular drinker - blood and ultrasound normal - wants to know what it is ...

The most probable cause from the short history you have provided indicates one of the possibilities:
- Costochondritis meaning inflammation of the lowest rib/s where they are floating and connected by cartilages and not an uncommon site of inflammation of unknown origin. The causes can due trivial and unnoticed trauma in past, flu, gastroenteritis, stress and anxiety and so on.
A local pressure on the area may increase the pain and holding the area with palms in deep exhalation and then inspiration might give some relief.
Anti-inflammatory medicines with painkiller properties/steroids also gives relief.
Get examined and discuss this with Doctor, may get a confirmation.
Or do it and give me the feedback.
- There can be gastritis or so and can not be seen without upper GI Endoscopy.
- Ultrasonography is already done and that shows gall bladder, pancreas and so on.
- diseases of the lower lung and pleura can also mimic such a pain- Have clinical evaluation and X-ray of the chest.

Please give me some feedback on:
- Whether there is local tenderness (pain on pressure)?
-It is waxing and vanning meaning comes and goes by on its own or related to a particular movement of body or related to some foods/beverages or stress and anxiety?
- What is the type of pain?
- Any other history that you would like to share.

I hope this answer helps you for a diagnosis, please feel free to ask for further related queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication and give feedback.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (31 hours later)
Hi thank you for your response it is not painful to press down on. The pain fluctuates and I some times have a shaking feeling in that position. I put it down to my liver as i drink up to 6 bottles of beer per day.
I have had this feeling for a couple of years now and in last few days my lower stomach has been painful as well, not sure if its a coincidence
Any help would be much appreciated
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Investigations

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation and feedback.
If you think it is related to liver, please go fir the liver function tests and ultrasonography or better yet MRCP (MRI for liver, gall bladder and pancreas).
These will help for confirmation or ruling out the problems related to the upper abdomen.
Lower stomach pain can be due to mild, sub-clinical for of entero-colitis and may be related to drinking beer. or infection.
Further tests of stool, and symptomatic treatment will help you to get this problem solved.
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Severe Stomach Pain In An Alcoholic?

Brief Answer: Costochondritis/ gastric/ lower lung and pleura. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. To recapitulate: Male/38 - visited a Doctor - can not find anything - pain in the center of stomach close to the bottom of right rib cage - for quite a while - regular drinker - blood and ultrasound normal - wants to know what it is ... The most probable cause from the short history you have provided indicates one of the possibilities: - Costochondritis meaning inflammation of the lowest rib/s where they are floating and connected by cartilages and not an uncommon site of inflammation of unknown origin. The causes can due trivial and unnoticed trauma in past, flu, gastroenteritis, stress and anxiety and so on. A local pressure on the area may increase the pain and holding the area with palms in deep exhalation and then inspiration might give some relief. Anti-inflammatory medicines with painkiller properties/steroids also gives relief. Get examined and discuss this with Doctor, may get a confirmation. Or do it and give me the feedback. - There can be gastritis or so and can not be seen without upper GI Endoscopy. - Ultrasonography is already done and that shows gall bladder, pancreas and so on. - diseases of the lower lung and pleura can also mimic such a pain- Have clinical evaluation and X-ray of the chest. Please give me some feedback on: - Whether there is local tenderness (pain on pressure)? -It is waxing and vanning meaning comes and goes by on its own or related to a particular movement of body or related to some foods/beverages or stress and anxiety? - What is the type of pain? - Any other history that you would like to share. I hope this answer helps you for a diagnosis, please feel free to ask for further related queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication and give feedback.