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Suggest Treatment For Hiatal Hernia
Question: Yes--History--- I have a diagnosed Hiatal Hernia-- recently the pain is a bit worse with typical chest pain in AM and latter after meals-- better with eating --then gets light until middle of the afternoon--then upper left pain---left side of breast /sternum--- also back pain upper right behind the right scapula an a little below-- other symptoms include occasional burning pain in the upper stomach with mild nausea -- plenty of air and belching --stools normal and not discolored except 1 recently dark green/ loose after some liquid ant-acid-- normal now-- I use nexium in AM and PM-- recently with some ant-acid liquid latter which helps--- pain comes and goes --occasional back pain (I think gallbladder--still have one) for many years ---incidents have increased after Thanksgiving---- 61 YO male-- overweight but pretty active-- can walk plenty of miles with no problem --no prob with appetite or shortness of breath-- last numbers from doc 4 months ago at VA were normal... good actually... possibilities?
Brief Answer:
reflux/gallbladder/heart
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question. There are several possibilities that could explain the symptoms that you are having. The most obvious one is reflux/gastritis but it is hard to imagine that you would be having so many reflux symptoms taking nexium twice a day. That is very strong medicine to block stomach acid and relieve reflux symptoms. Here are some suggestions for decreasing reflux, then I will move on to other possiblities. Losing weight will help decrease the reflux. Eating smaller meals and avoiding tobacco, mints and alcohol will also help. Raising the head of the bed about 3 inches helps if you are waking up with heartburn.
Gallbladder disease can cause pain similar to reflux and also it can cause the pain you describe in your upper back and scapula. Gallbladder disease tends to be worse after meals and with meals containing high fat content. US of gallbladder is the first test usually ordered to check on the gallbladder.
Unfortunately you can also have many of these symptoms for undiagnosed heart disease. Chest pain, back pain, scapula pain and nausea can all be symptoms of angina from heart disease. You have three risk factors for heart disease that I can see from your note, being overweight, being male and being over 60. Other risks include smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and having a close family member with early heart disease.
I think it is important for you to consult your doctor about getting a stress test. Seeing a gastroenterologist may help if your heart tests turn out to be normal.
I hope this is helpful and thanks for using HCM.
reflux/gallbladder/heart
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question. There are several possibilities that could explain the symptoms that you are having. The most obvious one is reflux/gastritis but it is hard to imagine that you would be having so many reflux symptoms taking nexium twice a day. That is very strong medicine to block stomach acid and relieve reflux symptoms. Here are some suggestions for decreasing reflux, then I will move on to other possiblities. Losing weight will help decrease the reflux. Eating smaller meals and avoiding tobacco, mints and alcohol will also help. Raising the head of the bed about 3 inches helps if you are waking up with heartburn.
Gallbladder disease can cause pain similar to reflux and also it can cause the pain you describe in your upper back and scapula. Gallbladder disease tends to be worse after meals and with meals containing high fat content. US of gallbladder is the first test usually ordered to check on the gallbladder.
Unfortunately you can also have many of these symptoms for undiagnosed heart disease. Chest pain, back pain, scapula pain and nausea can all be symptoms of angina from heart disease. You have three risk factors for heart disease that I can see from your note, being overweight, being male and being over 60. Other risks include smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and having a close family member with early heart disease.
I think it is important for you to consult your doctor about getting a stress test. Seeing a gastroenterologist may help if your heart tests turn out to be normal.
I hope this is helpful and thanks for using HCM.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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