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How Should Abdominal Cramps, The Frequent Urge To Defecate, Flatulence, Mucus In Stool And Occasional Diarrhea Be Treated?
Posted on
Fri, 18 May 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 18 May 2018
Answered on
Wed, 21 Feb 2024
Last reviewed on
Question : Hey doctor,
Recently I had my first ever overseas trip to Los Angeles, CA from Australia for 3 weeks and in the last week and half of the trip and also upon returning home the other day I have been experiencing abdominal cramps and an urgency to go everytime I have to pass a stool and I have noticed string like mucus in my stools as well with a mix of floating stools and ocassionaly diarrhea. Now I have had gut problems for years but it’s mainly symptoms in my upper GI I have never really had lower GI problems until now. What exactly could be the cause of this could it possibly be a parasite or bacteria that I caught while over there? I don’t really have any other symptoms besides what I said but it’s quite uncomfortable.
I’ve also been really gassy as well is another thing that I have noticed
Recently I had my first ever overseas trip to Los Angeles, CA from Australia for 3 weeks and in the last week and half of the trip and also upon returning home the other day I have been experiencing abdominal cramps and an urgency to go everytime I have to pass a stool and I have noticed string like mucus in my stools as well with a mix of floating stools and ocassionaly diarrhea. Now I have had gut problems for years but it’s mainly symptoms in my upper GI I have never really had lower GI problems until now. What exactly could be the cause of this could it possibly be a parasite or bacteria that I caught while over there? I don’t really have any other symptoms besides what I said but it’s quite uncomfortable.
I’ve also been really gassy as well is another thing that I have noticed
Brief Answer:
Acute Gastroenteritis (bacterial) most likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The symptoms you are describing are mostly suggestive of Bacterial gastroenteritis (commonly called food poisoning), which is the bacterial infection of the intestine.
Stool analysis and culture are required to confirm the diagnosis. Management is with antibiotics (usually a combination of Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole) for which you will need a prescription. So please be advised to follow up with the urgent care.
Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and electrolyte containing drinks like Gatorade. Follow soft diet. BRAT (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) diet will be easier on your tummy.
You can also take Buscopan 10 mg thrice daily for abdominal cramps.
Hope this answers your query
Please let me know if you need further clarification
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Acute Gastroenteritis (bacterial) most likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The symptoms you are describing are mostly suggestive of Bacterial gastroenteritis (commonly called food poisoning), which is the bacterial infection of the intestine.
Stool analysis and culture are required to confirm the diagnosis. Management is with antibiotics (usually a combination of Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole) for which you will need a prescription. So please be advised to follow up with the urgent care.
Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and electrolyte containing drinks like Gatorade. Follow soft diet. BRAT (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) diet will be easier on your tummy.
You can also take Buscopan 10 mg thrice daily for abdominal cramps.
Hope this answers your query
Please let me know if you need further clarification
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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