Dull bloated pain in my gut. What is happening?
February 28, 2013 8:27 AM Subscribe
You're not my doctor, but perhaps you can give me some insight into what is happening...
30 year old male here. Three nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night with a sharp pain in my lower abdominal region, which was persistent until the morning. I was afraid it was food poisoning, however this moderate pain only lasted a 4 to 5 hours. I took my temperature, which was in the normal range.
Over the past few days, I've had a dull bloated feeling in my lower abdominal region, with some uncomfortable pressure at times. My bowel movements have been normal (no blood, no diarrhea).
A similar occurrence happened about two months, which eventually subsided.
If it matters: I am very conscientious about eating well and regular exercise.
Any suggestions on what my digestive tract is going through?
30 year old male here. Three nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night with a sharp pain in my lower abdominal region, which was persistent until the morning. I was afraid it was food poisoning, however this moderate pain only lasted a 4 to 5 hours. I took my temperature, which was in the normal range.
Over the past few days, I've had a dull bloated feeling in my lower abdominal region, with some uncomfortable pressure at times. My bowel movements have been normal (no blood, no diarrhea).
A similar occurrence happened about two months, which eventually subsided.
If it matters: I am very conscientious about eating well and regular exercise.
Any suggestions on what my digestive tract is going through?
I'm not a doctor, and you should definitely make an appointment to see one, but my guess would be gallstones.
posted by lefty lucky cat at 8:33 AM on February 28, 2013
posted by lefty lucky cat at 8:33 AM on February 28, 2013
Definitely see a doctor just to be sure. There is a chance it's just gas (I've had that feeling and that's indeed what it was - gas can be pretty sharp-pain inducing sometimes), but it could also be enough other things that you want a doctor to give you a second look sooner rather than later.
(And do not let the potential embarrassment of going to a doctor and having it just be gas after all stop you. I had that exact thing happen to me, and the doctor stressed to me that "no, actually, you are NOT wasting my time at all - I'm much happier seeing you for ten minutes and have it turn out to be nothing than having you not see me and us both getting surprised by something bad." Your doctors are just as relieved as you are when something you're worried about turns out to be nothing bad.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:49 AM on February 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
(And do not let the potential embarrassment of going to a doctor and having it just be gas after all stop you. I had that exact thing happen to me, and the doctor stressed to me that "no, actually, you are NOT wasting my time at all - I'm much happier seeing you for ten minutes and have it turn out to be nothing than having you not see me and us both getting surprised by something bad." Your doctors are just as relieved as you are when something you're worried about turns out to be nothing bad.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:49 AM on February 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's probably gas, but you should probably see your doctor just in case.
posted by entropicamericana at 9:02 AM on February 28, 2013
posted by entropicamericana at 9:02 AM on February 28, 2013
Sounds like gas; have you tried simethicone to see if it eases the pressure? Before you make the appointment, you might want to call your insurance's nurse line or your PCP's nurse and see if they think one is warranted.
posted by Wordwoman at 9:11 AM on February 28, 2013
posted by Wordwoman at 9:11 AM on February 28, 2013
Those symptoms are exactly like mine were on the way to a diagnosis of an ulcer. Either way, you should get it checked out.
posted by gaspode at 9:38 AM on February 28, 2013
posted by gaspode at 9:38 AM on February 28, 2013
There are at least 1001 different conditions that cause abdominal pain. Some are serious, some are not. Some clues can be gleaned from the precise location of the pain: which quadrant is a good start. But that aside, see your doctor. It probably isn't serious, but you won't know unless you get it checked out. See your doctor.
posted by Decani at 11:20 AM on February 28, 2013
posted by Decani at 11:20 AM on February 28, 2013
Because ulcers occur in the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine, after the stomach), and your gallbladder is just below your liver on the right side of your body, ulcers generally cause upper central or upper left sided abdominal pain, and gallstones generally cause pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen.
This is not a hard and fast rule, but given the location of your pain, I just wanted to point out that the answers suggesting gallstones and ulcer are less likely. Appendicitis is difficult enough to diagnose IRL, not to mention over the internet. With your symptoms being so nonspecific, your best bet is really seeing the doctor and taking answers here with a grain of salt. IANYD.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
This is not a hard and fast rule, but given the location of your pain, I just wanted to point out that the answers suggesting gallstones and ulcer are less likely. Appendicitis is difficult enough to diagnose IRL, not to mention over the internet. With your symptoms being so nonspecific, your best bet is really seeing the doctor and taking answers here with a grain of salt. IANYD.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Actually, treehorn+bunny reminds me that I took out a whole spiel in my answer about how my symptoms weren't indicative of an ulcer, and my husband (who is also a doctor) didn't entertain the idea. Nonetheless, that's what I had. GI symptoms are weird which is why everyone is saying go to the doctor.
posted by gaspode at 11:50 AM on February 28, 2013
posted by gaspode at 11:50 AM on February 28, 2013
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posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:31 AM on February 28, 2013 [1 favorite]