OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Intermittent Upper Abdominal Pain Associated with Cervical Spondylosis

2/10/2026, 7:30:25 PMMale25-34

As a 36-year-old male weighing approximately 105 kilograms, I received a diagnosis of cervical spondylosis in April 2025. Since then, I have been experiencing intense pain in my neck and shoulders, which often leads to feelings of dizziness and blurred vision. Despite my efforts to seek relief through various treatments, including physiotherapy and medication, I have found no improvement. Recently, I have also been suffering from episodes of heat flashes that induce sweating. Alongside these issues, I have been dealing with discomfort in my upper abdomen, which feels akin to difficulty in breathing or a sensation of air hunger. This ongoing struggle has significantly impacted my life, leaving me confined to my home and spiraling into a state of depression. I am reaching out for assistance!

Stomach PainGastroenterologyNutrition

Answers (1)

Cony

2/10/2026, 7:30:46 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing a combination of symptoms that are causing significant distress and impacting your quality of life. While cervical spondylosis typically affects the neck and can lead to pain, dizziness, and other sensations, the upper abdominal discomfort you're mentioning is concerning and may have several different causes.

Explanation

Cervical spondylosis can lead to spinal cord or nerve root compression, which might explain your neck pain, dizziness, and visual disturbances. The abdominal pain, heat flashes, and sweating could be symptoms related to various conditions, including gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, or side effects from medication. The sensation of air hunger or difficulty breathing can be particularly troubling and should be closely monitored.

Next Steps

  1. Monitor Symptoms:

    • Keep a detailed symptom diary noting when the abdominal pain occurs, what you were doing, your emotional state, and any other symptoms (like dizziness or heat flashes). This information can help identify triggers or patterns.
  2. Hydration and Nutrition:

    • Ensure you're staying hydrated, as dehydration can exacerbate dizziness and general discomfort. Focus on balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid foods that trigger discomfort (like spicy or fatty foods).
  3. Relaxation Techniques:

    • Consider incorporating relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle yoga. These can help alleviate stress and may improve both your cervical spondylosis symptoms and abdominal discomfort.
  4. Posture and Ergonomics:

    • Pay attention to your posture, especially when sitting for long periods. Using supportive chairs and taking frequent breaks to stretch can reduce neck strain.
  5. Seek Support:

    • Since you are experiencing feelings of depression, connecting with friends, family, or a mental health professional may be beneficial. You don’t have to deal with this alone, and a support system can make a significant difference.
  6. Consider Medical Review:

    • Although I won't suggest a consultation, continuous distress and the mix of symptoms may warrant a reassessment of your treatment plan to ensure all factors are being adequately addressed. This might involve a discussion on medications or alternative therapies.

By focusing on these actionable steps, you can begin to manage symptoms more effectively and work towards improving your quality of life. Please take care and prioritize your well-being!

Related Questions

Seeking Expert Help for Ongoing Abdominal Discomfort

Greetings, medical professionals, I am a 22-year-old man who has been dealing with stomach discomfort for several months now. My primary concerns include: - A continual burning sensation and pain in the upper stomach region - Intermittent feelings of nausea - Occasional loss of appetite - Symptoms of bloating and difficulty digesting food following meals I have refrained from using strong medications and have attempted to modify my diet without noticeable improvement. I am looking for a **comprehensive assessment from a gastroenterologist** to explore potential underlying issues and receive concrete advice on how to handle my symptoms effectively. I am willing to share lab results and any previous tests in the future to facilitate a more precise diagnosis. Thank you for your attention; I eagerly await your recommendations and insights.

BloatingStomach PainIndigestion
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Severe Abdominal Discomfort and Throbbing Headaches

Greetings. I would greatly appreciate any medical opinions regarding a troubling issue I am facing. I have been suffering from intense pain, which has occurred on two separate occasions. The discomfort is so debilitating that it renders me immobile, accompanied by a distressing sensation of tightness in my abdomen and a significant pressure headache. Each episode is remarkably similar, happening consistently at the end of my cycle. Does anyone have insight into what could be causing this? I plan to reach out to my doctor first thing in the morning. I am a 35-year-old female with a diagnosis of PCOS.

BloatingStomach PainGastroenterology
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Experiencing Intense Stomach Pain After Hip Thrusting?

Age: 30, Female, Height: 161 cm, Weight: 63 kg. A few days prior, I shared my ongoing struggle with unusual gastrointestinal problems that have persisted for nearly a year. After attempting to come to terms with the possibility of having IBS, I encountered another unsettling episode last night, which led to a distressing mental breakdown and left me pondering my health further. I was working out at the gym, focusing on leg workouts. Everything felt normal throughout the day; I hadn’t had any stomach troubles, and my stress levels were manageable. It was a relatively relaxed session where I completed squats before transitioning to hip thrusts using the machine. After finishing two sets, out of nowhere, I suddenly felt overwhelmingly nauseous, followed shortly by intense, sharp pains in my abdomen on both sides, around the area of my belly button. These acute pains persisted for approximately one hour before they subsided. This isn’t the first time that hip thrusts have caused this reaction. In the past, I’ve experienced multiple instances where performing hip thrusts led to feelings of nausea and even vomiting. However, this particular episode brought the most severe stabbing pains I’ve ever felt. For context, I typically lift heavy during hip thrusts (over 200 kg). In addition to my gastrointestinal distress, I also suffer from chronic sinus issues, which make it difficult for me to breathe comfortably. Rarely do I feel anxious, but in the past week, I have noticed an increase in anxiety, accompanied by occasional heart palpitations—an experience that is new for me. I attribute these symptoms to my sinus condition, and I’m unsure if my anxiety is a direct result of these physical issues or simply the stress of feeling my health decline. I have another appointment lined up with my doctor this week, which feels like the hundredth time I’ve sought help. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

IBSStomach PainAcid Reflux
Male25-34
4 hours ago

Seeking Guidance on Persistent Stomach Issues

I’m a 32-year-old male, a non-smoker, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 18 stone. It all started on December 26th when I began experiencing abdominal discomfort. Initially, I attributed the sensation to a pulled muscle in my lower right abdomen. The following day, the nagging ache persisted, although it remained mild. By December 28th, the pain had intensified, prompting me to schedule a doctor's appointment for December 30th. Upon examination, the physician suggested that I might be experiencing the onset of appendicitis, despite my symptoms not aligning with the typical signs, such as rebound tenderness. An ultrasound was recommended, and I was advised to head to the emergency room if my condition deteriorated. Blood tests were also ordered. On December 31st, my condition worsened, leaving me feeling quite unwell, so I tried to rest. However, I woke up on January 1st in significant pain and decided to visit the emergency department. After undergoing various tests, including blood work, the key finding was a slight elevation in my white blood cell count and a CRP level of 14. The doctor wasn't convinced that the issue was my appendix, so I was given pain relief and told to return the next day, January 2nd, for further evaluation at the surgical ward. During the follow-up on January 2nd, I was still experiencing discomfort, and additional blood tests were conducted with only a slight increase in CRP to 15. After assessment by the surgical team, they were puzzled and did not believe it was appendicitis. An ultrasound was performed, which did not show significant findings as bowel gas obscured clear visuals; the appendix was not seen, and I was told to follow up with my GP as they suspected a bowel issue instead. Suffering considerable pain for several days led me to book another appointment for January 8th. I still had notable discomfort, which prompted my doctor to order a calprotectin test, suggesting we revisit the results later. The results came back on January 16th showing a calprotectin level of 190, while the ache had fortunately subsided. My doctor recommended further blood tests and another examination in two weeks. I had blood tests on January 29th, revealing mostly normal results except for a CRP reading of 22 and a serum ferritin level of 516. I also underwent another calprotectin test, awaiting results. The doctor indicated that a colonoscopy might be necessary to explore potential issues once we had the second calprotectin results. Recently, the pain has returned, although it’s not as severe as it was during the late December and early January episodes. I sometimes feel a pulling sensation in my lower right side, accompanied by a persistent dull ache that feels like a deep internal itch—difficult to articulate. Notably, there’s no blood in my stools, but I’ve consistently experienced loose, slushy bowel movements. Having suffered from bouts of diarrhea, particularly in the mornings, I have accustomed myself to softer stools (Bristol stool chart type 6). In the past, there had been occurrences of blood, usually during instances of intense pain and frequent visits to the restroom; this blood was minor and likely caused by irritation due to repeated wiping. As you can imagine, consulting Dr. Google has filled me with anxiety regarding these symptoms. Given this context—especially with appendicitis ruled out—I'm eager to hear if anyone has faced similar symptoms or could offer insights into potential underlying causes. My fear is that it might indicate something more serious, such as cancer or a tumor.

DiarrheaStomach PainGastroenterology
Male25-34
5 hours ago

Inquiries Regarding Pillcam M30 Procedure

Greetings, I’m reaching out because I've been grappling with gastrointestinal issues for over a year now, and I'm still looking for answers. My bowel movements vary, but I've never experienced blood in my stools, and they aren’t consistently thin. Additionally, I suffer from rectal discomfort and mild pain near my left hip, along with persistent flatulence. Overall, I just feel fatigued and somewhat unwell. All my medical tests have yielded unusual yet non-threatening results. An upper gastrointestinal examination revealed gastritis, for which I was prescribed pantoprazole, but I didn't notice any improvement. I've undergone several ultrasounds, one of which did show signs of fatty liver. This finding surprised me since I weigh only 135 pounds, maintain good physical condition, and abstain from alcohol. Despite assurances that this wasn’t concerning, I've also had multiple urinalysis tests indicating trace amounts of protein, ketones, and bilirubin without any clear explanation. A breath test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) returned positive for methane overgrowth, but I didn’t proceed with antibiotics as my GI specialist mentioned that the treatment guidelines were somewhat ambiguous. I've arranged for a Pillcam colonoscopy in two weeks and I'm feeling apprehensive and have some questions. I specifically requested this as I am quite anxious about the conventional colonoscopy and the anesthesia involved. However, I have a few worries on my mind. I’ve come across information concerning the camera possibly getting lodged, and when I consulted my GI doctor about the patency capsule, he dismissed it as unnecessary for my situation and reassured me that I shouldn't be concerned about the capsule lodging. He also noted that the Pillcam procedure could be more complicated than a standard colonoscopy due to their requirement of drinking a gallon of Golytely preparation the morning of the procedure—this seems rather extreme, and I’m uncertain if I can manage that. Could anyone provide additional insights about this procedure or address any concerns that I should be aware of beforehand? Thank you!

BloatingStomach PainGastroenterology
Male25-34
7 hours ago