Is burning belly pain in a 69-year-old woman due to GERD?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother, who is 69 years old, has been mainly experiencing burning pain under the belly button for the last five months. An endoscopy was performed, and the doctors said she is experiencing dyspepsia and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), not related to an ulcer. The symptoms are mainly burning in nature and are associated with hyperacidity.

She was previously treated with Omeprazole and is currently taking Pantoprazole. Lab tests done include an endoscopy.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

Though common, experiencing burning pain and hyperacidity can be a distressing problem for your mother, and it should be adequately addressed, especially after the age of 60. You did the right thing by undergoing an endoscopy to help diagnose the problem. I need more details regarding her medical history and other associated symptoms. It would be helpful if you could provide her past and current medical history.

I have reviewed her height and weight; her current BMI (body mass index) is 28.3, placing her in the overweight category. This increases her risk of developing health complications such as diabetes, hypertension, digestive issues, and other potential problems. Since her complaints have had a recent onset and were diagnosed early, there are many positive steps we can take to bring her to a healthier weight range and reduce those risks.

Her mental health also plays a significant role in digestive health. Fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions may have triggered the onset of symptoms or worsened them. The probable causes of her complaints include excess weight, mental stress, and a faulty diet.

Further investigations, such as fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, will be helpful. The most likely diagnosis is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The treatment plan involves homeopathic medicines combined with lifestyle changes.

Take frequent small meals and avoid acidic foods, including spicy foods and coffee.
Identify and avoid the foods that may precipitate or increase them.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Take meals at least three hours before bedtime.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concerns about finding the underlying disease that may be causing burning pain beneath the umbilicus. While most cases of dyspepsia and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) present with pain in the upper abdomen, some atypical presentations are also common, especially in older age.

Further assessments are essential to finding the underlying pathology. The pH impedance test helps analyze whether a relationship between reflux events and symptoms exists. Colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy can detect issues in the intestine, especially if she has symptoms such as altered bowel habits or rectal bleeding.

I have reviewed her blood sugar values, and her fasting levels suggest that she may be in a state of pre-diabetes. I would recommend a glucose tolerance test in addition to the fasting blood sugar.

How long has she been taking medications for hypertension? This is an important detail, as some antihypertensive medicines can cause dyspeptic symptoms.
It would also be helpful if you could elaborate more on her symptoms. Is the pain related to food intake, such as after meals, spicy foods, or high-fat foods?
Is she experiencing any fullness, nausea, or vomiting?
Has she had any history of food poisoning or infections before the onset of symptoms?
Is she suffering from anxiety, depression, or fear of a serious disease?

Kindly provide these details so we can better understand her condition.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.