I Woke Up Early This Morning (2:30am) With Intense Abdominal

Posted on Wed, 14 Aug 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I woke up early this morning (2:30am) with intense abdominal cramps. I thought is was constipation so a took a mild laxative (Ducolax). Finally around 5:00am I was able to go to the bathroom -- very loose, but only a small amount. This continued for the next several hours (about once every hour to hour and a half). The last two times I went (1:45pm an 3pm) it seemed to be almost all blood and very little feces. I am concerned. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
would need to be assessed

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is understandable to be concerned but with appropriate assessment and management, you should be okay.

It would be best to be seen as soon as possible.

Possible causes are: (1)diverticulitis- this is inflammation or infection of diverticuli in the colon. Diverticuli are out pockets in the colon that form with age
(2)infection of the colon
(3)trauma
(4)due to a mass in the colon which can be benign or malignant
(5)hemorrhoids

Your abdomen needs to be assessed both physical examination and imaging.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar