If your stomach still hurts even with antacid and the pain radiates to the back, it is possible that you may have pancreas pain. I suggest you consider having a CT scan to make sure. It may also be appropriate to do an endoscopy to check out your stomach if it has been painful for longer than two weeks.
These blood results means that your liver is inflamed. There are many reasons for liver inflammation – Hepatitis virus, autoimmune liver disease, fatty liver disease and even medication can cause this. You should see a hepatologist who may wish to do further blood tests to check out and find out the reason. You may also need a liver ultrasound. Treatment will then depend on the cause.
This may be due to the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. You should see a doctor for more detailed checkup.
Usually acid reflux will get better with medication. If it doesn't get better, then it may be necessary to perform a gastroscopy to check the stomach and then more appropriate treatment can be given.
It will depend where the ulcer is. I presume this ulcer is in the stomach. It is important to get biopsies of any ulcer in the stomach to make sure it is not cancerous or at risk of turning cancerous. If it has been there for five years, it is unlikely to be cancerous currently. It is also important to make sure that any bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori in the stomach is eradicated. Also any risk factors for causing stomach ulcers should be identified and corrected if possible. I would suggest discussing all these with your doctor. After treatment, it will be wise to have an endoscopy to ensure complete healing of the ulcer.
This may be gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Coffee may make it worse. I would suggest a course of medication to reduce stomach acid. You may require an endoscopy to evaluate the stomach if you do not improve with medication.
When a stool sample is sent to check for bacteria, the lab will usually try to grow the bacteria and will identify the major types of bacteria that cause illness. It may be that the test shows different types of non-disease causing bacteria in small numbers so no specific bacteria is significant. I am sorry but I not able to comment more on lab processes.
Feeling bloated after meals is relatively common but you should not be feeling something like a stone in your stomach area. You should see a doctor for an endoscopy and have a CT scan of your abdomen to be sure it is not something serious.
Your doctor is likely to be referring to Helicobacter pylori. This is a bacterium that can infect the stomach and increase the risk of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. If you have gastric pain, you should have an endoscopy to make sure of the state of your stomach first and during that endoscopy, a biopsy can be taken to check whether the bacterium is present. If it is, you will need to take a course of antibiotics.
Now, I have gastric acid reflux. I feel hungry quicker, but I am too lazy to eat. I feel my stomach bloating and nauseated. What should I do?
If you have gastric discomfort, nausea and bloating, you should undergo endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. If it is due to gastric reflux disease, you may take medication. It is natural to feel uncomfortable if you are hungry. If you are concerned about gaining too much weight, perhaps you can consider taking medication to reduce stomach acid.
Can a GERD patient eat fruit salad and kebab?
A GERD patient can generally eat salad though sometimes sour foods can trigger GERD symptoms. Eating too oily food like kebab can also cause GERD symptoms.
Can a GERD patient eat boiled sweet potatoes?
Yes, a GERD patient can eat boiled sweet potatoes. There is no medical evidence that eating boiled sweet potatoes will worsen GERD.
My wife has had SLE since 2013. And since January 2020, my wife has stomach pain, in her epigastrium, feels nauseous and vomits. Whatever she eats, she will vomit. She has been hospitalized 3 times for this stomach problem, but to no improvement. It recurs every 2 months. She is still in regular control for her SLE at one of the hospitals, but the internist hasn’t advised me on where I should take my wife to get treatment. What specialist should she see, Doc?
The most common cause of abdominal pain in patients with SLE is that of lupus mesenteric vasculits which is inflammation of the blood vessels of the intestines. In general, CT scan of the abdomen is the most useful test to diagnose the condition. Treatment is with lupus medication such as high dose steroids. You may wish to seek help from a Rheumatologist.
Doctor, I feel nauseous after eating something that contains coconut milk. Eventually, it gets worse until I feel pain in my stomach. I have taken gastric acid medicines but the pain persists although I have reduced my coconut milk consumption. Does it mean I have to stop eating foods that contain coconut milk? If I see a doctor, can it be totally cured?
You may be sensitive to foods containing coconut milk and hence have to avoid foods containing coconut milk. Your discomfort may also be due to gallbladder stones as the gallbladder can be stimulated when you eat foods with a high content of fat (such as coconut milk). You may wish to have an ultrasound of your abdomen to check your gallbladder.
I have been feeling a burning sensation in my stomach these 3 days, although I don’t eat spicy foods. And when I sleep, the sensation radiates to my esophagus. It got worse as this morning I vomited. What should I do?
It sounds like you have Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. You can have a course of acid reducing medication to see if it will help your symptoms. You may also wish to have a gastroscopy to check the state of your stomach and oesophagus.
Hi Dr Chua. I am Ridwan Hoesan. Every 7-10 days, I have watery stools, and I still feel uncomfortable afterwards, even when I defecate 2 times a day with a huge amount of stool.
I am 71 years old and weigh 51-52kg, have diabetes (for 16 years) and prostate enlargement (for 7-8 years), HBA1c and Controlled PSA in HBA1c = 7 and PSA 4-4.7. I take metformin 500mg 3x1 and prostate terazosin 2mg 1x1(night).z
I have done colonoscopy 3 times, everything is fine, only there is a 3-4.5mm polic. Please give me your advice, Doc. Thank you
If your colonoscopy is normal but you feel uncomfortable and are having watery stool twice a day, it may be that you have irritable bowel syndrome. It may also be the metformin that is causing your bowel change. You may wish to take probiotics to see if it will help with your symptoms.
Good morning. I want to ask. I am starting to feel the symptoms of gastric acid reflux. Can I eat apple and pear? And I can only eat a small portion of rice because now it feels flavorless in my mouth. What should I do?
You need to check out if it is truly gastric reflux that is causing your symptoms. In general, it should not be a problem to eat apple and pear for people with reflux. I would advise you to see a gastroenterologist and probably have an upper GI endoscopy.
I want to ask, Doc. Why does my stomach feel tight and full? Especially after eating, although I only eat a small portion. Thank you, Doc
If this is a recent problem, then it is important that you undergo a gastroscopy to evaluate your stomach. Sometimes it may be that good is not emptying out of your stomach correctly, hence the feeling of being easily full.
Doc, I was diagnosed with GERD more than 2 months ago. Every night I feel a burning sensation in my chest. It feels as if there is something blocking my throat and my epigastrium sometimes hurts. I have seen 3 different doctors but it doesn’t get better. What should I do to get totally cured from this GERD?
It is important that you have undergone a proper gastroscopy to determine the extent of your GERD. Most patients with GERD get better after taking appropriate medications at the correct doses.
Good afternoon, Doc. I want to ask, can lactic acid lead to pneumonia and leukemia?
Lactic acid is a waste product from exercise and is not from the stomach. If there is a lot of lactic acid in the blood system, it can lead to serious illness or even death. Lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) can be due to severe pneumonia or severe leukaemia (not the other way around).
Good morning, Doctor. I have GERD. I want to ask, is Ranitidine safe to reduce my gastric acid?
Yes. Ranitidine is safe to reduce your gastric acid but it generally becomes less effective after usage for more than 2 weeks. Then you might need to stop for a week before restarting.
Doc, what are the suitable foods for someone with GERD?
For patients with GERD, it is best to avoid spicy and oily foods, coffee, sour foods.
I want to ask, Doc. I am 26 years old. It has been more than a month since I gave birth and now I am sick. When I gave birth, I had a breathing problem. After a few months, my back hurts. I feel something moving in my chest and it hurts. It has been a few months like this. Now it has been 8 months since my epigastrium hurts, is full, and my chest is heavy. My stomach hurts. I cannot sit for too long because my back is stiff and it hurts. Now I am one month pregnant, the condition gets worse. My eyes and head spins. My body is often weak. At night, I often shiver. My left arm hurts. And I have discomfort in breathing. And I have blockage in my nose. Please help me. I am tired
You have multiple symptoms and are pregnant. It is best for you to discuss your symptoms with your obstetrician so that he can help you. Many medications are not given during pregnancy and it is important for your obstetrician to determine which symptoms are due to the pregnancy and which require more evaluation.
Doc, I have been having breathing tightness for 8 months. From the time I wake up until I sleep, I feel it hard to breathe and my chest is full. I have reduced my eating portion, but the condition persists. Is there anything I missed which is why it doesn’t get better?
Your problem of breathlessness may not be related to a gastro problem. You should seek medical attention from either a lung specialist or a heart specialist since most of your symptoms are related to the chest and to breathlessness.
My gastric acid reflux is relapsing. I feel hungry and my blood tension goes up. Also my heart beats irregularly. What is the solution to make the gastric acid normal?
You will usually have to take medication to reduce stomach acid so as to allow the reflux symptoms to settle.
My mother has been having a stomach problem this one month. She has taken the medicines from her doctor but her condition doesn’t get better. She is older, is it okay for her to keep taking her prescription? Currently she is taking stomach medicines and herbal medicines. Her symptoms are bloating stomach, pain in the stomach, cold sweat, dizziness, and palpitation at night. Please help me with your information, Doc. Thank you
It seems that when symptoms and condition is not improving with the medication. In that case, I would suggest a review of her condition. It is not common to get cold sweats due to a stomach condition. She may require more investigation such as an ECG and maybe a gastroscopy.
Hello, Doc. Can the blood of hepatitis B patients be transmitted through skin pores? Please give me your answer, Doc.
Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood or sexual contact but not through skin pores.
Good afternoon, Doc. My name is Agustina. I have undergone an endoscopy and it was confirmed I have GERD. I am currently doing regular treatment, but still, there is no improvement and the pain often recurs. What should I do? It is really painful.
If the symptoms are not better with medicine, then it would generally mean that either the medication is not strong enough or there is another reason why there is pain. You should inform your doctor that the symptoms are not improving despite taking medication. Your doctor may need to do other investigations such as scans. He may also wish to change or add medication.
Hello, Doc. I have been living with GERD for this 1 year. At the beginning, I felt hot and sour on the back of my tongue, then my chest, stomach, and back was hot after eating. I also feel my throat was sore to swallow. Then I saw an ENT. I checked my throat, the doctor said it was GERD. Then I was given omeprazol, yoridon, and another one that I forgot the name of. I checked regularly with a doctor 4 times. The sourness and hot on my tongue is now relieved, but my throat still hurts. When the doctor examined my throat, he found a small lump, he said it is due to gastric acid reflux. Now after eating, I still often feel hot in my chest, stomach, and back. Should I see an internist or continue with my ENT, Doc?
If there is discomfort in your chest and stomach, it is most likely gastric reflux. If the back is also uncomfortable, you may wish to consider seeing a gastroenterologist to make sure it is not the pancreas. Throat problems caused by GERD require a long duration of treatment with medication to reduce acid and allow the area to heal, usually more than 6 months.
Good afternoon, Doc. It has been one month since I felt hard to breath and had my heart beating fast. Sometimes my epigastrium bulges and is hard and full. Usually it happens at night. Even one night, I had to be taken to the emergency unit. I saw an internist. The given medicines were the ones to treat gastric ulcers and gas. Is that dangerous? How should I get my condition treated? Thank you
There is no real danger in taking the gastric ulcer medications but that may not be the reason for your discomfort. If the first symptom that occurs is a fast heartbeat with breathlessness, you may wish to consult a cardiologist to make sure you are not suffering from a problem with heart rhythm.
Good afternoon. My name is rita, 27 years old. I am feeling numb on my left chest, and a few times ago, I also felt pain there. I went to a clinic and was diagnosed with gastric acid reflux. I was advised not to eat several kinds of food. However, although I stop eating those foods, the numbness in my left chest is not relieved. I am currently only eating between 8 AM in the morning to 4 PM in the afternoon. After that, I am fasting and only drink water. Is there any possibility that this diet is the cause of the numbness? Thank you
Gastric reflux does not usually cause numbness over the chest. It is usually associated with a feeling hotness rising up from the stomach. As the numbness was there before starting the diet, it is unlikely for the diet to be the cause of the chest numbness. It is unlikely to be heart disease given your young age. It could be a musculoskeletal discomfort due to inflammation (though that usually causes pain).
Doc, this one month, my gastric acid reflux has been recurring several times. It sometimes gives me breathing problem. What should I do when I feel my breath is tight? I have been controlling my meal by avoiding spicy, sour, and coconut milk foods. But, at 7 PM, I feel my breath is short.
It sounds like you may have GERD. You get an evaluation by a gastroenterologist and then take acid-suppression medication to reduce your symptoms
Doc, my father has cholesterol, gastric acid, and gout. He has been to clinic too and has his diet well maintained, but to no improvement. What should we do, Doc? Which food is good for him to eat?
In order to help your father, a proper diagnosis must first be reached.
Your doctor should analyze why he is having gastric pain – it may not be his stomach problem even. If necessary, a scan and scope may be necessary. Without finding out the cause of the problem, it will be difficult to advise on treatment.
Now, I have gastric acid reflux. I feel hungry quicker, but I am too lazy to eat. I feel my stomach bloating and nauseated. What should I do?
If you have gastric discomfort, nausea and bloating, you should undergo endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. If it is due to gastric reflux disease, you may take medication. It is natural to feel uncomfortable if you are hungry. If you are concerned about gaining too much weight, perhaps you can consider taking medication to reduce stomach acid.
Can a GERD patient eat fruit salad and kebab?
A GERD patient can generally eat salad though sometimes sour foods can trigger GERD symptoms. Eating too oily food like kebab can also cause GERD symptoms.
Can a GERD patient eat boiled sweet potatoes?
Yes, a GERD patient can eat boiled sweet potatoes. There is no medical evidence that eating boiled sweet potatoes will worsen GERD.
My wife has had SLE since 2013. And since January 2020, my wife has stomach pain, in her epigastrium, feels nauseous and vomits. Whatever she eats, she will vomit. She has been hospitalized 3 times for this stomach problem, but to no improvement. It recurs every 2 months. She is still in regular control for her SLE at one of the hospitals, but the internist hasn’t advised me on where I should take my wife to get treatment. What specialist should she see, Doc?
The most common cause of abdominal pain in patients with SLE is that of lupus mesenteric vasculits which is inflammation of the blood vessels of the intestines. In general, CT scan of the abdomen is the most useful test to diagnose the condition. Treatment is with lupus medication such as high dose steroids. You may wish to seek help from a Rheumatologist.
Doctor, I feel nauseous after eating something that contains coconut milk. Eventually, it gets worse until I feel pain in my stomach. I have taken gastric acid medicines but the pain persists although I have reduced my coconut milk consumption. Does it mean I have to stop eating foods that contain coconut milk? If I see a doctor, can it be totally cured?
You may be sensitive to foods containing coconut milk and hence have to avoid foods containing coconut milk. Your discomfort may also be due to gallbladder stones as the gallbladder can be stimulated when you eat foods with a high content of fat (such as coconut milk). You may wish to have an ultrasound of your abdomen to check your gallbladder.
I have been feeling a burning sensation in my stomach these 3 days, although I don’t eat spicy foods. And when I sleep, the sensation radiates to my esophagus. It got worse as this morning I vomited. What should I do?
It sounds like you have Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. You can have a course of acid reducing medication to see if it will help your symptoms. You may also wish to have a gastroscopy to check the state of your stomach and oesophagus.
How much is the cost to treat GERD? I have gastric acid reflux and often burp. Now, for the second time, I have sleeping difficulty because I feel something blocked in my chest, like a white sputum. However, I can cough it out after drinking water. Are these symptoms of GERD? Please give me your information on the disease and the cost, Doc
It is important for you to see a doctor and possibly undergo an endoscopy to make sure it is GERD that is causing your symptoms. GERD is a chronic relapsing condition that can be controlled but not necessarily cured.
Cost will depend on the cost of endoscopy and findings at endoscopy as well as medications. The newer medications are more costly.
I want to ask, Doc. My lower right abdomen is hard. And when I lie on my stomach, I feel something is sticking out from it. Please give me an explanation. Thank you
I think it is important for you to be examined by a doctor and possibly get a CT scan of your abdomen if you feel something sticking out of your abdomen. It is important to make sure it is not due to something serious.
Doc, it has been 3 years since I had bad breath alongside a burning sensation in the chest/esophagus that happens everyday. I often feel insecure about this bad breath. Even I can smell it when I don’t say anything. Are these symptoms of GERD?
Bad breath may be due to dental problems but can also be due to GERD. You should consult a gastroenterologist to check it out.
Hello, Doc, I have a stomach ache. I have been seeking treatment here and there but the condition persists. First, I feel a burning sensation in my right chest and my heart beats very fast. My blood pressure increased, but these symptoms are relieved now. My epigastrium hurts and there is something blocking in my throat, besides, the throat itself feels sour. Is this dangerous, Doc?
If you experience a fast heart rate and change in blood pressure, please consult a cardiologist. It may be important to rule out a cardiac problem. If you feel something blocking your throat, it is important to rule out a physical obstruction so you should consider having an endoscopy. The souring taste in your mouth may be due to GERD.
How much is the cost to treat GERD? I have gastric acid reflux and often burp. Now, for the second time, I have sleeping difficulty because I feel something blocked in my chest, like a white sputum. However, I can cough it out after drinking water. Are these symptoms of GERD? Please give me your information on the disease and the cost, Doc
It is important for you to see a doctor and possibly undergo an endoscopy to make sure it is GERD that is causing your symptoms. GERD is a chronic relapsing condition that can be controlled but not necessarily cured.
Cost will depend on the cost of endoscopy and findings at endoscopy as well as medications. The newer medications are more costly.
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