Why do I keep having an upper abdominal pain after I eat?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am suffering from an upper abdominal pain. It feels like winding as if I am being kicked repeatedly. I feel this pain mainly after I eat. It all started last week, but it was very mild for two days. But, then it got much worse the next day. Then next day, the pain became so bad that I could not sleep at night. I also had a fever. So, I went to the doctor, who said I have high stomach acids, and he gave me Lansoprazole. The medicine helped me for two days, but today the pain is bad again. Please help me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You are suffering from an ailment called as gastroenteritis. It is also commonly referred to as stomach flu. The gastrointestinal tract, which comprises of the small intestine and stomach gets inflamed. Gastroenteritis is indicated by the symptoms such as diarrhea, acute nausea, and severe spasmodic pain in the abdomen with the formation of excessive gases.

The fever is an indicator of an ongoing severe infection. Sometimes, exhaustion and dehydration are also observed. However, it is not necessary that all symptoms are there in every patient. This disease usually lasts not more than two weeks. Infections caused by virus, bacteria, parasites, or fungi may lead to gastroenteritis. Viruses account for this disease the most.

This disease is transmitted mainly through food and contaminated water. The most common remedy in case of gastroenteritis is having electrolyte solution and keep yourself hydrated in case vomiting or loose stool starts.

Due to the toxins produced in the intestines, the natural good bacteria present in the gut are destroyed, hence food is not digested properly. I would suggest you try taking the following medications. Consult a specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and start taking the medicines after their consent.

Probiotic like VSL#3 daily. It contains good bacteria and would help to improve overall digestion of food. As digestion will improve, the symptoms will improve.
Nexium (Esomeprazole) 20 mg with antacid Pepto-Bismol, twice daily. This will provide you with immediate symptomatic relief.
For relief from spasmodic pain, try Dicyclomine 10 mg twice daily.
To provide symptomatic relief from fever, take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) twice daily.
Take Fybogel (Ispaghula) 2 teaspoons daily with a half cup of water. This is a fiber based product and would help in the formation of bulky stools and proper stools.

Apart from medicines, try doing the following:

Take light vegetarian and easily digestible food.
Take lots of yogurt and food rich in lactobacillus.
Avoid alcohol or smoking.

I also suggest that as there is a fever, get a stool routine and microscopy test done, as in some cases gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria and protozoa. As in that case, antibacterial and protozoal therapy will be given for five days.

Hope I answered your query well. Feel free to follow-up.

For further queries consult a medical gastroenterologist online.