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Suggest Treatment For Chest Pain And Gas In Stomach

Posted on Sat, 30 Aug 2014

Question: I have been feeling chest pain and back pain since September 2013. It usually comes and goes and sometime stays for hours. It is not that painful but it is uncomfortable. I also feel gas in the stomach when I get this pain. The pain is more in some positions and when I change position it decreases or goes away. Please advise which specialist to consult.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need further details

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.

You have mentioned you have been suffering from chest pain since last year and you feel gas in stomach when you get this pain.It suggest it is mostly due to acid reflux which causes heartburn.But I would like to know Have you checked your blood pressure recently?If yes What was last record?
When do you get this pain like after having heavy food or spicy food?

For Acid reflux I would start Antacids like protonpump inhibitors(Omeprazole) 30 minutes before break fast if you see improvement within 3 days then you can continue the medication for 2 weeks.
You should take care of your diet
Avoid spicy ,oily,fast,junk food.Avoid late night food.
Restrict hot beverages like tea and coffee.
Avoid smoking if you does.Restrict alcohol.
Do not skip meals.
Drink plenty of water.

Back pain:
According to your history it mostly due to postural related.
I would like to know few more details
Do you get lower back or upper back pain?
Is the pain radiating to thigh or legs or neck?
Do you feel tingling and numbness ?
Do you feel stiffness of back?
Have you ever done an x ray?
Kindly get back to me with details I would help you further.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (10 hours later)

Hi Dr.Bhagyalaxmi,

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. Below are the answers to your questions. Please let me know if these symptoms are related to acid reflux.

1) I did not check my blood pressure recently. It has been at least 6 months since I last checked my BP and it was normal back then.
2) Usually I get the pain when I am on empty stomach for 3.5 hours or after having my lunch. No pain in the evenings or night.
3) The pain is not at one place. Sometimes it is in the left side of the chest ( pain is exactly like the muscle pain we get due to bad posture and it is felt more in some positions and very less when I change the position ) and sometimes in the lower rib on right side. Sometimes I feel pain in the right side of the chest as well but not all at same time.
4) Back pain is mostly lower back pain.Occasionally I feel upper back pain as well.
5) The pain is not radiating to legs or arms or neck. Only back pain and chest pain.
6) No tingling or numbness. Sometimes the chest pain is like low voltage electric pulses. Mostly it is like muscle pull. No other symptoms except for belching sometimes. Only pain.
7) No stiffness in the back.
8) Yes. I got an x-ray done 7-8 months back for back pain. The doctor said the edges of some T structures ( T7 and T8 I think ) are curved instead of straight. So he said I might get arthritis in future and I should not bend too much or lift weights.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Acid reflux.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
Thanks for your information.

According your history the chest pain and gas in stomach mainly due to acid reflux. In this condition usually pain starts in epigastric region(below the ribs) and radiates to chest and upper back.It is being called as heart burn.
I would suggest you start medication(Omeprazole) for 2-3 weeks which I have mentioned earlier.This is over the counter medication.
Do not skip break fast and meals.
Drink plenty of water.Avoid stress and change your diet habits as I have suggested in earlier answer.

Back pain:
According your information your back pain mostly postural related.
Do not sit or stand in same position for long time.You can take paracetamol tablet when you feel uncomfortable with back pain.
If you have constant lower back pain then visit an Orthopedic doctor and get one more x ray done.
Eat healthy vegetables and fruits.Good nutrition will make you healthy and also helpful to prevent arthritis.
Loose weight If you are over weight .Over weight also leads to arthritis.
Add calcium contains food and fish to your diet.
However I would suggest you check your Blood pressure near by local hospital.

Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any queries I will be happy to help you.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (2 hours later)

Di Dr.Bhagyalaxmi,

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. I will take the medication and check if the pain subsides.

Thanks and Regards,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It's My pleasure.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX

I was glad to help you.
Continue medication for 2-3 weeks.

I wish you a good health
If you have any queries I will be happy to help you.
If you do not have any queries you can close the discussion and rate the answer If possible.
Thank you.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E