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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Chest, stomach, and neck pressure during excercise
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Chest, stomach, and neck pressure during excercise
by Tom Mc, Apr 28, 2004 12:00AM
I'm a 50 year old male in good physical heatlh, ski, scuba dive and love working out especially with weights. About 2 weeks ago I started to experience a hot gaseous pressure building up from just above my stomach striaght up by sterum and eventually into by neck while excercising on a stair master. This hot gasous like pressure started wihtin 1.5 minutes of the start of exercising and peaked within about 5 minutes. I gutted it out to complete my twelve minute routine on the stair master. It felt like severe indigestion but starting in the chest that worked up to the neck and head then down into the stomach (with breathing becoming more labored and a little dizzy). After completing the stair master I walked around the track for about 2 minutes until by breathing improved and the pressure and discomfort eased. I then ran my routine 8 laps in which the same symptoms recurred but not nearly as severe. Then I walked for a few minutes and the symptoms lessened significantly. I then moved on to my weight lifting routine over the next 40 minutes with only mild recurrence of the symptoms and then confined to stomach and chest. After excercising and in the sauna the symptons disappeared. Since that time I've worked out on 3 other occasions (I've had the same work-out routine for over a year) and have had the eaxct same issues. Now any mildly aerobic strenuous activity - mowing the lawn or walking at a brisk pace casues the same symptons which diasappear within a few minutes after I stop and rest.
I also had during this time a bad case of acid indigestion which took about 2-3 days to completely go away. I also have allergies which tend to be worst in spring. Last summer for about 4-5 weeks after starting a lowcarb lifestyle (which made dramtic improvements in my tricylceride and blood sugar numbers and a surprising reduction in cholesterol with and equally surprising rise in HDL levels) I had the same problems that went away within 5-6weeks. I've never had angina. I have had an umbilical hernia corrected 4 years ago. I'm trying to determine if this is some weird excercise induced acid reflux, excercised induced asthamic reaction, some type of weird cardiovascular problem, or some other weird condition??
I also had during this time a bad case of acid indigestion which took about 2-3 days to completely go away. I also have allergies which tend to be worst in spring. Last summer for about 4-5 weeks after starting a lowcarb lifestyle (which made dramtic improvements in my tricylceride and blood sugar numbers and a surprising reduction in cholesterol with and equally surprising rise in HDL levels) I had the same problems that went away within 5-6weeks. I've never had angina. I have had an umbilical hernia corrected 4 years ago. I'm trying to determine if this is some weird excercise induced acid reflux, excercised induced asthamic reaction, some type of weird cardiovascular problem, or some other weird condition??
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 28, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 28, 2004 12:00AM
Any discomfort that is exacerbated by exercise should be evaluated to ensure there is no heart condition first. Angina (i.e. heart pain) can present as GI-like pain. I would suggest an exercise stress test for further evaluation to rule this out.
If negative, then tests to consider GI symptoms may be considered. Ulcers, inflammation, or GERD can cause these symptoms. An upper GI series or upper endoscopy (a more comprehensive test) can be considered as a first evaluation. If negative, the next step to be considered would be an ultrasound or CT scan.
You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
If negative, then tests to consider GI symptoms may be considered. Ulcers, inflammation, or GERD can cause these symptoms. An upper GI series or upper endoscopy (a more comprehensive test) can be considered as a first evaluation. If negative, the next step to be considered would be an ultrasound or CT scan.
You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
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