Q The pain has lasted so long that I fear stomach or pancreatic cancer. How do I tell?
A The criteria are accompanying symptoms and the speed of change rather than the intensity of pain. Weight falling on its own, difficulty swallowing, black stools, or pain boring through to the back all call for testing first. Without those, pain that rises and falls with meals and stress is more likely functional.
Detailed Answer
Epigastric pain appearing for the first time in middle age puts age itself among the criteria for testing. Jaundice or fever means the biliary system must be checked, and cold sweats, chest tightness or pain radiating to the arm mean the heart must be ruled out first. These items are not for watchful waiting with Korean medicine.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Anxiety itself can amplify pain. Ruling out dangerous causes with tests makes the management that follows far easier. If you come with results in hand, we narrow down the remaining causes on that basis.
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