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What Causes Heartburn,excessive Gas,back Pain And Cramping?

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Posted on Sun, 8 Dec 2013
Twitter Sun, 8 Dec 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 30 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : thank you. My husband, 66 year old man in not so great health, is suffering from heartburn, excessive gas, back pain, some cramping. Has history of ulcers and diverticulitis and had gall bladder removed. Eats spicy foods, fried foods, smokes and drinks several beers daily. Please help.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. There might be few reasons of such symptoms, all associated with his diet and regular alcohol intake. This factors can cause pancreas inflammation, stones in bile ducts and stomach issues like peptic ulcer. Pancreas and bile ducts issues usually give upper middle pain, which appears after a meal and radiates to the back. Nausea and vomiting is very often. Peptic ulcer can give similar symptoms however the pain usually does not radiate to the back. At his age, there is necessary to rule out cancer of the stomach, pancreas, liver and large intestine. That is why, even if he seems to be in great health he needs some tests. It is necessary for him to have blood work, liver tests (AST,ALT,GGTP), amylase, urine amylase, abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy and colonoscopy. For pancreas diagnostics, abdominal CT should be also considered. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

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Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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What Causes Heartburn,excessive Gas,back Pain And Cramping?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. There might be few reasons of such symptoms, all associated with his diet and regular alcohol intake. This factors can cause pancreas inflammation, stones in bile ducts and stomach issues like peptic ulcer. Pancreas and bile ducts issues usually give upper middle pain, which appears after a meal and radiates to the back. Nausea and vomiting is very often. Peptic ulcer can give similar symptoms however the pain usually does not radiate to the back. At his age, there is necessary to rule out cancer of the stomach, pancreas, liver and large intestine. That is why, even if he seems to be in great health he needs some tests. It is necessary for him to have blood work, liver tests (AST,ALT,GGTP), amylase, urine amylase, abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy and colonoscopy. For pancreas diagnostics, abdominal CT should be also considered. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.