Lower Right Stomach

[spednic]

70 yr old male... non smoker... general health conditions good.
HEAVY drinker (6- 8 oz per day). I take asthma & gout medications on regular basis; also prevacid.

Evenings, bedtime, I experience pain... not severe.. but pain,
in lower right portion of stomach (3" below rib cage).
It seems that drinking water helps alleviate condition.

  When I lie on my right side.... condition remains the same....
on my left side, or on back,   it is somewhat lessened.
Generally by morning it disappears..... but is now recurring on
almost nightly basis.  All drinking is done between 3 & 7 PM  evenings.  HELP ?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with Surgeon in his comments that gall bladder or pancreas are certainly possibilities.  Other causes can include an ulcer, inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, or GERD.  

Tests to evaluate this would be blood tests (to evaluate the pancreas), an abdominal ultrasound (to evaluate the gall bladder), or upper GI series/upper endoscopy (to evaluate the stomach, esophagus and small bowel for any inflammation or ulcers).  

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.

[surgeon]

there are several possibilites; gallbladder disease is certainly near the top of the list. Chronic pancreatitis, which can be due to alcoholism, is also a possibility. The only way to find out is to see your doctor and have some tests done. No online diagnosis can be very accurate, especially with no lab or other data to evaluate.

[kevinmd]

I will be away until January 4th. I will answer your question when I return.

Happy holidays,
Kevin, M.D.