Recurring condition? Vomiting, gas, tiredness, loss of appetite, non-contagious, long lasting, please help!

[Birdgofly]

Hello! My brother (Caucasian male age 22) is currently sick and has been for a week now (since April 10th). He vomits and burps often. He eats little and cannot hold down what he does eat. When asked about his symptoms he says that he has been feeling tired and has little appetite, and when he tried to eat tonight (even a little), he experienced extreme gas which he could not expel by burping, and which caused him to throw up. He became sick upon arrival at his girlfriend's house for Easter, which he was going to be spending with her family. He has experienced something similar before, in which upon going on a school trip to Florida he became sick, with similar, if not exactly the same, symptoms. He became sick on the first couple days there, and was sick for a month or two afterwords, from the trip all the way through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, although it was kind of on and off. We had him checked out many times during that time, but the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. His condition is recurring, non-contagious, and very long lasting, and we are worried about him, so any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to GERD or gall bladder disease.Ask your brother to eat small nutritious meals at frequent intervals instead of a heavy single meal. Exercise frequently and take his dinner atleast 2 hrs prior to bedtime. Also raise the head end of the bed by 2 blocks.
To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them, or eat chocolate or spicy or greasy foods .

Ask him to take some OTC antacid like Mylanta.He can also take zantac(ranitidine)or prilosec(omeprazole).These will help.Also keep your fluid electrolyte balance optimum by drinking lots of fluids.

If the symptoms persist then pls get an ultrasound gall bladder and endoscopy done after consulting a gastroeneterologist .
I hope that helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your brother is doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[Birdgofly]

Thank you very much for the response. He's doing a lot better now, so hopefully he will be fine, and hopefully it doesn't happen again, but I will keep this in mind for if it does. Thanks again!

[Cosmogal]

He needs to be seen by a gastroenterologist. This way they can evaluate his symptoms. He will probably need an EGD where they will go down his throat with a camera and look around. They will probably test him for HPylori and evaluate for ulcers. I would wonder about celiac or chrohns. It sounds to me like something inflammatory as it has been known to come and go. Its like he has flair ups. Celiac disease causes alot of his symptoms like gas, bloating and such and Chrohns flairs up often and causes weight loss and flu like symptoms. Call for an appointment. He doesn't want to let this go without seeing a gastroenterologist.  Good luck and please let me know what you find out!

[Birdgofly]

He is still sick today, and although he has regained his appetite, he still cannot hold down food. His condition seems so similar to the flu, except it is not contagious and he has had this before. Any help would be appreciated!