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What Causes Upper Abdominal Pain While Breathing?
Question: Every once in awhile while drinking any form of liquid, I get an extreme upper abdominal pain that takes my breath away and feel like passing out. This has been going on for about four years. Did pass out once, heart tests where ran and all fine. The pain lasts about 20-30 seconds. It's not only cold liquids, I try to drink slow, but that doesn't always work either. I rarely take Advil and take no medications or supplements. I'm female, 51 years old, exercise and eat healthy. The pain is middle under rib cage.
Brief Answer:
Few more information needed. Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.
Before I answer your query, I would like to know the following to help you better:
1) Were you completely well before four years with no such symptoms ?
2) Does the pain gets well of its own, or with some medication ?
3) Do you take Advil for this pain or any other problem and for how long ?
4) Do you suffer from any acidity or burning sensation behind your sternum ?
Expecting to listen from you soon.
Thanks for using health care magic forum for queries regarding your health.
Dr Shareef.
Few more information needed. Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.
Before I answer your query, I would like to know the following to help you better:
1) Were you completely well before four years with no such symptoms ?
2) Does the pain gets well of its own, or with some medication ?
3) Do you take Advil for this pain or any other problem and for how long ?
4) Do you suffer from any acidity or burning sensation behind your sternum ?
Expecting to listen from you soon.
Thanks for using health care magic forum for queries regarding your health.
Dr Shareef.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
No symptoms prior....pain goes away on its own after 20-30 seconds....Advil for old back injuries, approx. 6-12 a week....I do get slight heartburn about once or twice a week, lasts only seconds....I did consume alcohol in large quantities for about ten years, in sobriety now...I also get a discomfort on top of left breast near sternum pretty frequent but doesn't last long.
Brief Answer:
Possibly an esophageal spasm due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX ! Good morning. Nice to listen from you so soon.
With your history of consuming large quantities of alcohol, and slight heartburn at times, it goes in favour of esophagitis, giving rise to intermittent esophageal spasms at times, which could be severe enough to mimic a pain of cardiac origin. However, as the cardiac tests have come out to be normal, the pain goes more in favour of an esophageal spasm.
Esophageal spasm is usually associated with a reflux esophagitis (GERD) due to defective lower esophageal sphincter. This leads to regurgitation of the acid and other irritants into the esophagus which could induce a spasm.
Regarding the GERD aspect the following might prove to be helpful:
1) Elevate the head end of the bed with two blocks on each side, so that the regurgitation does not occur while lying down, and the contents of esophagus and stomach flow down with gravity.
2) Some modification in your diet like more of roughage, enough liquids, avoidance of oily, fried, and fast food
3) Regular routine exercises like morning walk depending on your medical fitness.
4) Prescription for a prokinetic agent and a proton pump inhibitor (Rabeprazole/pantoprazole/esomeprazole) for symptomatic relief and to have a control on the acid production and facilitate movement of gastric contents downwards.
5) A routine blood sugar test both fasting and post prandial.
If the spasm frequency becomes more, then some kind of smooth muscle relaxant could be tried under prescription of your doctor, which might be helpful. At times your gastro enterologist might advise you for an endoscopic evaluation of your esophagus to rule out any other pathology. At the same time an ultrasound of abdomen to rule out any gall stone colic might prove to be helpful.
I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Possibly an esophageal spasm due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX ! Good morning. Nice to listen from you so soon.
With your history of consuming large quantities of alcohol, and slight heartburn at times, it goes in favour of esophagitis, giving rise to intermittent esophageal spasms at times, which could be severe enough to mimic a pain of cardiac origin. However, as the cardiac tests have come out to be normal, the pain goes more in favour of an esophageal spasm.
Esophageal spasm is usually associated with a reflux esophagitis (GERD) due to defective lower esophageal sphincter. This leads to regurgitation of the acid and other irritants into the esophagus which could induce a spasm.
Regarding the GERD aspect the following might prove to be helpful:
1) Elevate the head end of the bed with two blocks on each side, so that the regurgitation does not occur while lying down, and the contents of esophagus and stomach flow down with gravity.
2) Some modification in your diet like more of roughage, enough liquids, avoidance of oily, fried, and fast food
3) Regular routine exercises like morning walk depending on your medical fitness.
4) Prescription for a prokinetic agent and a proton pump inhibitor (Rabeprazole/pantoprazole/esomeprazole) for symptomatic relief and to have a control on the acid production and facilitate movement of gastric contents downwards.
5) A routine blood sugar test both fasting and post prandial.
If the spasm frequency becomes more, then some kind of smooth muscle relaxant could be tried under prescription of your doctor, which might be helpful. At times your gastro enterologist might advise you for an endoscopic evaluation of your esophagus to rule out any other pathology. At the same time an ultrasound of abdomen to rule out any gall stone colic might prove to be helpful.
I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your advise Doctor..
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. Dr Shareef.
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. Dr Shareef.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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