Experiencing Gastritis Symptoms?
Hello everyone! I’m a 32-year-old female and for several years now, I've been grappling with what I believe to be acid reflux. I’ve delayed treatment since the episodes weren't frequent enough to raise significant concern (perhaps that was unwise). There were nights where I'd abruptly wake up feeling intensely nauseous, accompanied by excessive salivation and a lot of burping until the sensation subsided. However, over the past week, I've consistently woken up each day with a feeling of nausea, though this time without the burping or watery mouth, and just to clarify, no, I'm not expecting. On Tuesday morning, things escalated when I was hit with an intense, stabbing pain in my upper abdomen – it felt like a knife was twisting in my stomach, and while it came and went, it was mostly persistent. I had to go to work that day, so I aimed to persevere through it. At times, the pain intensified to the point I experienced chills, and eating was not an option. After struggling for about six hours, I tried some Gaviscon, but it didn’t alleviate my discomfort. I managed to get through the day and by evening, the pain began to ease; however, I experienced chills and felt unusually warm (albeit, no actual fever – puzzling). I had no diarrhea or vomiting. Yesterday, the pain had subsided, but my stomach wasn't quite right, and today I still feel somewhat off, alongside persistent nausea. I’ve dealt with this kind of pain since my childhood, with the only remedy being lying on my stomach until it fades away, sometimes needing to release gas as well, which is kind of amusing. I suspect that stress could be a contributing factor, even if I'm not overtly aware of being stressed. I recently graduated as a nurse and began my first independent shifts on Tuesday, which may have added to my anxiety. Additionally, my car broke down and the repair costs could be significant, a financial burden I can hardly bear in this economy. Despite my previous experiences, I’ve never endured such prolonged pain, hence I'm considering the possibility of gastritis. Should I give Gaviscon or Omeprazole a try or would it be wiser to consult a healthcare professional? Relevant medical history: I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Answers (1)
4/3/2025, 5:10:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you have been experiencing a challenging combination of symptoms that may relate to acid reflux or potentially gastritis. Given the intensity of your recent abdominal pain, nausea, and stress factors, it's important to take an informed approach to manage these symptoms.
Initial Summary
Your symptoms include persistent nausea, abdominal pain, and potential stress-related factors. While over-the-counter medications like Gaviscon or Omeprazole might help, it's crucial to first consider a few important steps based on your experiences and current health status.
Explanation
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Symptoms Consideration: The stabbing pain in your upper abdomen, especially when intensified to the point of chills, can indicate gastritis or another gastrointestinal issue. Since your previous remedies have not effectively addressed these symptoms, it may be time to reassess your approach.
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Possible Triggers: Stress can certainly exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms, and life transitions such as your recent nursing graduation and car troubles can create significant anxiety. Your Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may also have an indirect effect on your gastrointestinal health.
Next Steps
1. Symptom Monitoring:
- Keep a diary of your symptoms, noting the timing, duration, and any relation to meals or stress levels. This can help identify patterns.
2. Dietary Adjustments:
- Start with a bland diet to see if that helps with your nausea and abdominal pain. Include foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet).
- Avoid irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and high-fat meals as these can worsen reflux symptoms.
3. Medications:
- You may consider trying an over-the-counter antacid like Gaviscon for immediate relief after meals. If symptoms persist, you can try Omeprazole, which reduces stomach acid production; however, it's best to use this under guidance from a healthcare professional.
4. Stress Management:
- Incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or light exercise (like walking) to manage stress levels.
5. When to Seek Help:
- If your symptoms do not improve significantly within a week, or if you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms (like blood in stool), seek medical attention. Given your health history and recent changes, it might be advisable to consult a healthcare professional sooner rather than later to rule out any serious conditions.
Taking these steps can help you manage your symptoms while you explore underlying causes more comprehensively. Remember, your health is important, and addressing these concerns early can prevent further issues down the line.
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