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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Pain Below Rib Cage, Chest Pain. What Could This Be?

I am a 42 year old female not over weight .... the last 4 nights I have been woken up around 3am with very painful hunger pains. I get up and eat a little, but the pain is still present! Last night I went to bed with pain in my chest below my heart (rib cage area).This morning the pain was so bad, it felt like spams & cramping in my stomach . I never wake up hungry (ever)... the pain was so bad... I ate. The cramping would last around 3min. go away for 5min. now its around 30min. not as painful. What could this be?
Sat, 30 Mar 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi and thanks for the query,
the pain you describe is very classical for peptic ulcer disease or acute gastrointestinal ulcer disease. Confirmation deserves a complete physical examination and an endoscopic examination to visualize these structures. A test to detect the commonest cause of peptic ulcers called helicobacter pylori could be prescribed in this case. However other abdominal and non abdominal causes of similar pain syndromes must be considered. A physical examination and its orientations might necessitate the carrying of tests like stool examinations and cultures, an abdominal scan and a chest x ray depending on the case.
Consulting your primary care physician or gastroenterologist might be most welcome at this stage.
thanks and best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
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Pain Below Rib Cage, Chest Pain. What Could This Be?

Hi and thanks for the query, the pain you describe is very classical for peptic ulcer disease or acute gastrointestinal ulcer disease. Confirmation deserves a complete physical examination and an endoscopic examination to visualize these structures. A test to detect the commonest cause of peptic ulcers called helicobacter pylori could be prescribed in this case. However other abdominal and non abdominal causes of similar pain syndromes must be considered. A physical examination and its orientations might necessitate the carrying of tests like stool examinations and cultures, an abdominal scan and a chest x ray depending on the case. Consulting your primary care physician or gastroenterologist might be most welcome at this stage. thanks and best regards, Luchuo, MD.