nausea

I am a 35 year old man. I started having nausea one morning and it was mild to moderate it went away next day then came back for a week now. It sometimes feels less almost not there anymore but comes back within a half hour or so. I feel less when i am sleeping or laying down. I am a very worrysome type of person I have had to go on stress meds for needless worrying in the past . I cant eat much due to the nausea and worry. I also started burping more than normal. the nausea is allways there and somtimes now maybe some dull burning feeling under the brest bone. My doctor gave me nexium it did nothing infact it seemed to worsen a little.  He did a blood test for h pylori? but havent got the results back yet. I went online to look up symptoms and now am paranoyed about stomach cancer . I cant sleep or eat.  my stool is normal and nothing I eat or drink makes me feel better or worse.   I have been on the nexium for one day. I have never had stomach problems in the past. I am a mild drinker maybe a shot or two of wiskey in an emptey stomach a couple of times a week after work. I am extreemly worried can you give me some thoughts of what I should be worrying about if at all?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are many causes of nausea.  This can include the various causes of dyspepsia (i.e. GERD, inflammation of the upper digestive tract, or an ulcer) to gastroparesis to a simple stomach infection.

If you are concerned about stomach cancer, you can consider an upper GI series or upper endoscopy for further evaluation.  

I would also consider a gastric emptying scan to evaluate for gastroparesis - this can be considered if the other GI tests have been non-revealing.  

Another more specialized test would be a 24-hr pH study.  This is the definitive diagnosis for GERD, and certainly should be ruled out if the symptoms continue.

You can discuss these options with your personal physician, or in conjunction with your GI specialist.

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.

Kevin, M.D.
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