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What Causes Pain In Lower Chest Area?

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Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014
Question: For doctor Rovena Morti

Pain is very slight. But mostly it feels like something moving inside stomach. Like gass. And i feel some sound from stomach. And how every thing was fine from last 2 days. Only yesterday was problem. Now i am taking scopinal and gaviscon. A litte pain some times i feel in my lower chest . Not contineous but sometimes.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below!

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXX

Since you are having pain in the lower chest ,stomach distension from overproduction of gas ,gurgling in stomach most likely your symptoms are related with acid reflux or upset stomach.
You are taking Gaviscon to treat heartburn but probably this is not enough and you need something stronger like an PPI drug ,which inhibit acid production in stomach.

I will recommend that you do some changes in your lifestyle to see if this is enough to improve your symptoms:
-Avoid spicy foods,fatty processed foods.
-Eat small frequent meals instead of 3 major meals.Don't eat until your stomach is full but eat small portions.
-Avoid juices that increase the acidity in your stomach.
-Eat dinner at least 3 hours before going to bed.
-Raise the head of your bed (use extra pillows).
-Drink plenty of water and milk.
-Sleep well (7-8 hours at night).
-It is very important to exercise regularly at least 45 min 5 days a week.
-Try to manage stress and anxiety because it can trigger stomach symptoms.

If your stomach symptoms persist after these modifications I suggest to start a PPI drug like Omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg in the morning once a day 30 min before meal for 2 weeks.It is available over the counter.

If this medication doesn't improve your symptoms then you may need to do an upper endoscopy.

Let me know if you have other questions or doubts to clarify.
Take care!

Dr.Rovena

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (23 minutes later)
THANKS FOR REPLY .. basically last 6 days of medications its first time this soft stool before only the 1st day after medication... but pain was in and off during medication. Dr problem is i am living in saudi arabia and mostly i take spicy or sometimes fast food. i will take care all of these points. i was using aciloc ? is it same omeprazole? lst 2 days i was not taking this. becasue doctor told me to continue and finish one packet .. should i again start? first when all this issue start i was feeling something stuck in my throat like pressure . but that feeling is now ok . and i also feel hungry at lunch or dinner time. but now problem is stomach sound and movements. and last day this soft stool.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below!

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Apologize for the delay in answering.

I strongly suggest to try to change your diet.Spicy foods and fast foods trigger acid reflux symptoms.

Aciloc is not the same as omeprazole.
Aciloc is a brand name for Ranitidine ,which is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. Ranitidine works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces.
Omeprazole is a PPI drug ,it also inhibit acid production.It is a stronger drug to treat acid reflux then Ranitidine.
If you are having symptoms of heartburn ,stomach pain or other symptoms of acid reflux you should start it again or you can try Omeprazole.

I suggest to start with your diet and lifestyle modifications as I mentioned above.
If your symptoms doesn't improve or get worse then you can start Aciloc or Omeprazole.

Feel free to ask for further questions.
Kind Regards!

Dr.Rovena

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (8 minutes later)
Thanks a lot for ur detailed answers.Sure i am trying to change life style. But i dont have heart burn feeling. Before i was feeling like something near throat pressing. Now thats feeling after medicines ok.now i feel little pain and movement in stomach. Like sometimes feels as vibration.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

You can have acid reflux without having typical symptoms of heartburn.
Slight pain and the feeling of movements in your stomach might be due to gastrointestinal cramps.
I would suggest to do the diet changes,take Scopinal for some days and see if the symptoms will subside.
If not you can start Omeprazole for 2 weeks.
If the symptoms still persist you need to consult a physician again and get examined.

Take care!
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (10 hours later)
Should i stop gaviscon?Last time 2 weeks go i was in gym. Does exercise can cause these issues? Because u suggest me to do exercises . But sometimes i think gym is the reason behind all this. I never visit gym but last one month i was regular. Is that may b a reason?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Sometimes hard exercising make acid reflux worse.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

I would suggest to stop gaviscon for some days to see if your symptoms will improve.
Gaviscon some times can cause some side effects including stomach cramps ,abdominal pain and diarrhea or soft stool.
Stop taking it for some days and if your symptoms improve then most likely they were side effects of gaviscon.
If they don't improve of get worse start taking it again.

It is true that sometimes exercises can make your acid reflux worse ,and this is true for those exercises that involve abdominal muscles contractions..
If you are overweight ,you should lose some weight to improve acid reflux.
In this case you can do moderate exercises few times a week.
If your weight is normal then just walking every day will be good to stay healthy.
Avoid hard exercising and avoid eating before gym.

Going to gym and exercising doesn't cause acid reflux but sometimes it can make the symptoms worse,particularly with jarring exercises like running,weightlifting,intensive bicycling.
Try doing moderate physical activity (walking 20-30 min a day).If your symptoms get worse with just walking ,probably it is time to try Omeprazole.
Eat small frequent meals and avoid drinking coffee and drinks that contain caffeine.

If your symptoms persist start taking Omeprazole for 2 weeks.

Take care,
Dr.Rovena


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (22 minutes later)
I m not over weight . Just exact bmi. I have done running and weight lifting and after that this anexity issue all this mix up. I will wait then i will take omeprazole. I have stoped gaviscone now only taking scopinal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

It is a good thing that you have a normal weight.
I would suggest mild to moderate exercise ,for example walking 30 min in the morning is good to stay healthy ,boost your immune system and it is an efficient way to manage anxiety and stress.

If your symptoms doesn't improve start Omeprazole.

I wish you all the best.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (42 hours later)
hope u will be fine dr. now i am not taking any medicine from last 2 days(gaviscon and scopinal). now again i am feeling better. i hav near about no stomach pain. but i feel slight pain in chest sometimes. and also some gass type feeling. but over all i am feeling much better . now should i start omeprazole? or not?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXX

I am really glad you are feeling better.

I would suggest to wait some more days.
Please follow strictly the lifestyle modifications that I have suggested.I am sure you will feel better day after day.
If your symptoms doesn't seem to improve or acid reflux is causing you symptoms that interfere with your daily life,you can start Omeprazole for 2 weeks.

Since acid reflux is long term condition the best way to control it is with diet and lifestyle modifications.
When symptoms get severe you can start Omeprazole.

Hope it helps.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (1 hour later)
what about my chest pain dr?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The chest pain is related to acid reflux.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

The chest pain that you feel sometimes it is related to acid reflux.
Once reflux is under control with diet and lifestyle modifications ,the chest pain will go away.

If your symptoms doesn't improve and you have chest pain constantly you can start Omeprazole for 2 weeks.
If this doesn't help then you need to consult a physician and get some tests done including an Upper endoscopy.

For now since your symptoms are mild ,I would suggest to continue with diet and lifestyle changes .Follow the above tips strictly and I am sure your acid reflux will get better.

Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 days later)
hy dr.. from last 5 days now i have not taken any medicine. and from last 3 days i dont have any pain not even chest pain. and before i feel.something moving inside my stomach , now this feeling also very less i think one time very slight in a day. now the only problem that is i feel like gassy feelings sometimes and also stool frequency . means sometimes after a days gap and sometimes 2 times. and how to get out from this stress or anexity?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXX

I am glad you are feeling better.
Sometimes abdominal cramps , frequent defecation and feeling bloated might be related to irritable bowel syndrome.
The most common cause for this is stress and anxiety.

Don't need to worry.
If you follow strictly the diet changes (avoid foods that trigger your symptoms like acidic foods ,juices ,coffee etc) and be active (exercise regularly ,i mean moderate exercise like walking every day) and you will feel better day after day.

You need to understand that acid reflux is a chronic condition what means that time after time (in stressful times or if you eat foods that make acid reflux worse) you may feel again the symptoms you have had.
You should try with diet modifications and exercise to keep it under control.

You should try some new things to manage your stress and anxiety like you can do things you really love to do (listen music, read books, do spots and hobbies like traveling ,dancing ,swimming ,etc).
You can try some relaxation techniques, meditation or Yoga.

You should now that you are healthy.Acid reflux is not a serious condition.
The major part of population has acid reflux.You can manage it just with lifestyle modification.
Stop worrying about your health.This can help with your anxiety,

Hope this helps.
Take care and be happy.

Dr.Rovena


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 days later)
yess doctor u r right. i am improving . i am trying to control my anexity. and the reason of this anexity i have already told u. but i am very much out of this. the only problem is sometimes hard and soft stool . means i am near about fine from last one week and today a little soft stool not very much after a little pain. and its after one week now. and no other problem
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Irritable bowel syndrome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

I am really glad that you are feeling well and almost all your symptoms has subsided.
This also indicates that your symptoms were related to acid reflux and nothing more serious was going on.

As I have said in my earlier replies abdominal cramps and episodes of diarrhea (soft stool) altered with episodes of constipation (hard stool) might be related to Irritable bowel syndrome.It is not a serious condition and it is caused by stress and anxiety.
You should continue with the diet changes,exercises and management of stress and you will feel better.
You also can use an antispasmodic like Scopinal when you feel abdominal cramps and loose stools.
You don't need to worry.You can manage all these symptoms with diet,exercise and a stress-free lifestyle.

Hope I have answered your query.
Best Regards,
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (34 minutes later)
yes and thanks doctor u give me XXXXXXX support through this chanel . aprox how much time it (irritable bowel syndrome) will take to normalize.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a chronic condition like acid reflux.You can keep the symptoms under control with the diet changes and lifestyle modifications.If these doesn't control completely your symptoms,sometimes you may need to use symptomatic treatment.

I can't tell you for sure because every patient is different but if you follow strictly the lifestyle changes we have discussed ,your symptoms will improve day after day.It may take 1-2 weeks and sometimes more to get back to normal.

Wish you all the best.
Take care,

Dr.Rovena




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (42 hours later)
one more thing i want to discus about chest pain. before i told u one week before i was having a little pain in lower left of my chest. then this pain finished.but now its shifted to lower right of my chest. its like lower right rib cage pain. pain is less bit irritating. and stomach pain is negligible.is it also related to same stomach problem? . and diet plan is also very difficult to follow . like in job i miss my lunch then i eat more in dinner. k.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most likely due to dyspepsia.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Yes it is possible that the pain in your right rib cage it is related to your stomach problem or dyspepsia.
I would suggest that you start Omeprazole for 2 weeks and see what happened.
If it is due to stomach problem your symptoms will improve a lot.
If this pain in your right rib cage doesn't seem to improve from Omeprazole then you might need to consult a physician and run some tests including function tests of liver and abdominal ultrasound.

I can understand that some times it is difficult to follow the diet changes but you can do your best for example avoid all the foods that trigger your symptoms ,you also can take something with you at work and eat at lunch i.e vegetables ,fruits,crackers etc and in dinner try to get up the table before you are totally full.
It might be difficult but necessary.

Hope it helps.
Take care of yourself.

Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (46 hours later)
dr i have started omeprazole from today. i already deacribed that i was feeling much better. but after your last message in reply of my pain i am again feeling stress or anexity. i dont know why i am thinking like that. now again all the day i think i have some big problem . my jaws feel tired . i am again feeling less hungry . i was feel like this before.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Continue Omeprazole.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXX

Apologize for the delay in answering you.

I am sorry that you are feeling stressed and anxious about your health again.
You don't have any major reason to be so concerned.
The fact that your symptoms are worse when you are stressed and that your symptoms improved when you start with diet changes and lifestyle modification ,is indicative that the cause of your symptoms is just acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.

I understand that these symptoms are annoying and interfere with your daily activities but you don't have to be concerned about your health.
Acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome are chronic conditions that are caused from stress and that can be totally controlled by diet changes,lifestyle modifications ,management of stress and anxiety .Sometimes symptomatic treatment will be necessary.
You don't have any serious condition that can threat your life.Don't think too much about that .Stress will only make your symptoms worse.
I suggest to continue with the changes you have done so far ,continue Omeprazole for 2 weeks.
You will feel better.
If you can't control your anxiety and stress you may chose to consult a physician and get some tests done .Knowing that nothing serious is going on with you may ease your anxiety about your health.

Let me know if I can help you further.
Take care.

Dr.Rovena
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Dr. Rovena

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What Causes Pain In Lower Chest Area?

Brief Answer: Detailed below! Detailed Answer: Hello dear XXXX Since you are having pain in the lower chest ,stomach distension from overproduction of gas ,gurgling in stomach most likely your symptoms are related with acid reflux or upset stomach. You are taking Gaviscon to treat heartburn but probably this is not enough and you need something stronger like an PPI drug ,which inhibit acid production in stomach. I will recommend that you do some changes in your lifestyle to see if this is enough to improve your symptoms: -Avoid spicy foods,fatty processed foods. -Eat small frequent meals instead of 3 major meals.Don't eat until your stomach is full but eat small portions. -Avoid juices that increase the acidity in your stomach. -Eat dinner at least 3 hours before going to bed. -Raise the head of your bed (use extra pillows). -Drink plenty of water and milk. -Sleep well (7-8 hours at night). -It is very important to exercise regularly at least 45 min 5 days a week. -Try to manage stress and anxiety because it can trigger stomach symptoms. If your stomach symptoms persist after these modifications I suggest to start a PPI drug like Omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg in the morning once a day 30 min before meal for 2 weeks.It is available over the counter. If this medication doesn't improve your symptoms then you may need to do an upper endoscopy. Let me know if you have other questions or doubts to clarify. Take care! Dr.Rovena