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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Pain In The Rib Cage On The Left Side?

Hi. For months, I have had a pain, deep ache, in my left side below my rib cage. It is more noticeable after I eat. I had an X-ray and it showed nothing. I had knee surgery last November and the doc said it may be a bruised rib. But that would have gone away by now. It goes away for awhile, then comes back worse. I also am bloating in higher stomach area.
posted on Sun, 31 Jul 2016
Twitter Sat, 27 Aug 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 29 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
This may be due to gastro-esophageal reflux of gastric contents, known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease. This typically causes pain in epigatrium after eating. In this, the contents of the stomach come back into the esophagus. There are several reasons why people have GERD. One possible reason has to do with the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. Normally, this muscle closes to keep food and stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus. In some people with GERD, this muscle does not always work right. GERD often causes heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and throat. Other causes of such type of pain may be gall stones, pancreatitis, and food allergy etc.
Advice
1.     Ranitidine 150 mg every 12 hours per oral for 10 days
2.     Domperidone 10 mg per oral every 12 hours for 7 days
3.     If you are taking any painkiller for your knee problem then take pain killer after meal only. Do not take painkiller in empty stomach
4.     Avoid alcohol, smoking, spicy food, and non-steroidal pain killer, coffee, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, tomato-based foods
5.     Avoid eating 3 hours before lying down
6.     Raise the head of your bed
7.     Do not heavily at a time. Divide your meals into smaller portions and eat them frequently during the day
8.     Avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, tomato-based foods, coffee, and citrus fruits
9.     Investigation – USG of whole abdomen
If you do not get relief after above measures then contact your doctor.
Thanks
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What Causes Severe Pain In The Rib Cage On The Left Side?

This may be due to gastro-esophageal reflux of gastric contents, known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease. This typically causes pain in epigatrium after eating. In this, the contents of the stomach come back into the esophagus. There are several reasons why people have GERD. One possible reason has to do with the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. Normally, this muscle closes to keep food and stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus. In some people with GERD, this muscle does not always work right. GERD often causes heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and throat. Other causes of such type of pain may be gall stones, pancreatitis, and food allergy etc. Advice 1. Ranitidine 150 mg every 12 hours per oral for 10 days 2. Domperidone 10 mg per oral every 12 hours for 7 days 3. If you are taking any painkiller for your knee problem then take pain killer after meal only. Do not take painkiller in empty stomach 4. Avoid alcohol, smoking, spicy food, and non-steroidal pain killer, coffee, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, tomato-based foods 5. Avoid eating 3 hours before lying down 6. Raise the head of your bed 7. Do not heavily at a time. Divide your meals into smaller portions and eat them frequently during the day 8. Avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, tomato-based foods, coffee, and citrus fruits 9. Investigation – USG of whole abdomen If you do not get relief after above measures then contact your doctor. Thanks