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What Do Sharp Pains Above The Navel Button Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Apr 2014
Question: Hi, I have recently had sharp pains roughly localised about tens cms to the right and ten cms above the navel button. It does not appear to affect any area to the left. It suddenly happened a few days ago while sleeping, I think probably after eating an excessive amount of sugar in a cold dessert. Then, it started again soon after eating and likely after drinking a large amount of cold coconut juice. Could the issue be related to the organs responsible for breaking down sugars? Is it likely appendicitis? Thanks, Regards, XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Peptic ulcer. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. No, this pain for sure is not related to any sugar breaking down organs. The main organ responsible for sugars digesting is pancreas and duodenum. Pancreas causes pain only in case of acute inflammation. Such pain is very strong, located in the upper middle or right abdomen, radiates to the back. Nausea and vomiting is always present. Your pain can be caused by intestines due to some minor food poisoning (cold food can contain some bad bacteria), gallstones, peptic ulcer or urinary tract infection. Food poisoning gives also nausea, loose stools or diarrhea. Fever can be also present. Gallstones give upper right abdominal pain (can be at the location described by you). Such pain radiates to the back. Nausea is characteristic. Pain is usually triggered by fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol. Urinary tract infection/stones give also frequent urinating, burning while urinating. Considering your symptoms, most probable reason of your pain is peptic ulcer or stomach inflammation. The pain does not radiate. Its dull and painkillers do not help. It appears soon after drinking or eating. Loss of appetite is sometimes present. Peptic ulcer is more possible if you drink coffee regularly or have had some stress recently. I suggest you to visit your doctor, have abdominal ultrasound, blood work and urine analysis. Gastroscopy should be next. In a meanwhile please avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, alcohol, coffee, orange juice, chocolate. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (26 hours later)
Thanks Dr. Stanko for the detailed explanation. It does sound possible that it is peptic ulcer or stomach inflammation, as I had gastritis as seen on the gastroscopy. However, it did last only minutes the first time I experienced it and then the second time, it was on and off a little longer but only lasted minutes each time. My gastroscopy report said that the chemical changes in the stomach could be caused by bile reflux or NSAIDS. I am wondering whether fish oil/krill oil can have a similar effect to NSAIDS and could contribute to gastritis, as I take quite a few of these (about 6000mg per day). Also, with my history of the hiatal hernia in the antrum of the stomach, could running worsen the hernia and is it suggested to continue running? Thanks, Regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: Fish oil can increases bile secretion and in such way affect stomach. But this is possible if you suffer from biliary reflux. In case of GERD (which is different) this should not have any impact. Running does not worsen hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia can get larger due to sudden pressure increase in the abdominal cavity (like abdominal trauma). Running does not cause such pressure. For sure you should not have physical activity right after a meal. As you have had gastritis before, for sure you need to rule it out. Gastroscopy is strongly advisable. Even if the pain is different than before or does not last for a long time. It is possible that the stomach changes are in different location so the pain is a little bit different. Hope this sounds clear for you. If not, please feel free to ask. 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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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Do Sharp Pains Above The Navel Button Indicate?

Brief Answer: Peptic ulcer. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. No, this pain for sure is not related to any sugar breaking down organs. The main organ responsible for sugars digesting is pancreas and duodenum. Pancreas causes pain only in case of acute inflammation. Such pain is very strong, located in the upper middle or right abdomen, radiates to the back. Nausea and vomiting is always present. Your pain can be caused by intestines due to some minor food poisoning (cold food can contain some bad bacteria), gallstones, peptic ulcer or urinary tract infection. Food poisoning gives also nausea, loose stools or diarrhea. Fever can be also present. Gallstones give upper right abdominal pain (can be at the location described by you). Such pain radiates to the back. Nausea is characteristic. Pain is usually triggered by fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol. Urinary tract infection/stones give also frequent urinating, burning while urinating. Considering your symptoms, most probable reason of your pain is peptic ulcer or stomach inflammation. The pain does not radiate. Its dull and painkillers do not help. It appears soon after drinking or eating. Loss of appetite is sometimes present. Peptic ulcer is more possible if you drink coffee regularly or have had some stress recently. I suggest you to visit your doctor, have abdominal ultrasound, blood work and urine analysis. Gastroscopy should be next. In a meanwhile please avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, alcohol, coffee, orange juice, chocolate. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.