[37F] Experiencing burning pain under ribs with associated symptoms

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, the following conditions could be causing your discomfort:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This is a digestive disorder that affects the ring of muscle between your esophagus and your stomach. This could explain your burning pain under the ribs and the occasional heartburn or regurgitation, especially after eating.

  • Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. In some cases, prescription medications or surgery might be needed.

• Gallstones: These are hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can cause pain and other symptoms. This could explain the pain under your ribs and the changes in your stool color.

  • Treatment may not be necessary unless the gallstones cause symptoms. In that case, surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most common treatment.

• Pancreatitis: This is inflammation of the pancreas. This could explain your burning pain under the ribs, the changes in your stool color, and the nausea.

  • Treatment typically involves hospitalization for intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics, and medication to relieve pain.

• Peptic Ulcer: This is a sore on the lining of your stomach, small intestine, or esophagus. This could explain your burning pain under the ribs and the occasional heartburn or regurgitation, especially after eating.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to decrease stomach acid. If the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be needed.

Please remember that this is not an exhaustive list and other conditions could also be causing your symptoms.

What you can do

You should make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms as soon as possible. They may want to perform further tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

In the meantime, you might find some relief from your symptoms by:

1. Avoiding foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. These can include fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine.
2. Eating smaller meals.
3. Not lying down or going to sleep soon after eating.
4. Keeping a healthy weight.
5. Avoiding smoking and alcohol.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
• Blood in your vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Sudden, sharp pain in your abdomen that doesn't go away
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis and treatment.