Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Bloating And Weight Gain
Question: Hello, I have a history of gut problems. IBS, once Giardia? Sometime early spring late winter a new pain started. Instead of my usual area for gut pain it is in the lower left quadrant of my gut. Is was off and on but now it almost all the time. During the day it is usually mild but by night it worst. It feels like someone has grabbed my gut. It can make sleep impossible. It is now worst some mornings too. I am on a waiting list for a GI DR but it getting to be a long wait. I also have a ovarian cyst but no systems but this pain. I am very bloated and continue to gain wt.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and appreciate your concerns.
Most common causes of chronic pain in left ilaic fosaa are-
Gastroenteritis
Diverticulitis
Severe constipation especially in patients with history of IBS.
Sigmoid colon is located in left side of abdomen. 95% cases of diverticulitis usually involve sigmoid colon.Therefore whenever a patient presents with history of pain in left iliac fossa initially he/she should be investigated thoroughly for Diverticulitis.Constant pain persisting for several days is a specific feature of diverticulitis.
Initially few baseline tests of gastroenterology should be done to rule out the possibility of involvement of diverticula.
Test sugggested are-
Stool routine and microscopy-To see if there is any bacterial,Protozoal or hemnithic infection in intestines.
CT scan of abdomen- can indicate inflamed or infected pouches and confirm a diagnosis of diverticulitis. CT can also indicate the severity of diverticulitis and guide treatment apart from that any other abdominal pathology would be clearly reflected in CT scan like volvulus.
Please answer the following questions so i can give you a better professional advice-
Pain was sudden in onset or gradual?
How can you describe it whether dull ache or sharp stabbing?
Does the pain move anywhere?
Any symptoms/signs associated with the pain like nausea vomiting loose stools etc?
How has the pain changed over time? Is the intensity of pain same or has increased or decreased?
Any Exacerbating or Relieving factors - Does anything worsen or relieve the pain?
How bad is the pain on a scale of 1(mild) to 10 (worst ever)?
Appetite - If any nausea or vomiting is there and hows your appetite?
Bowels - Frequency ,consistency,color and volume?
Constipation?
Life style and food habits?
Waiting for your answers.Kindly revert back soon so that i can give you a differencial and treatment guideline.
Kind regards.
I would explain as follows.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and appreciate your concerns.
Most common causes of chronic pain in left ilaic fosaa are-
Gastroenteritis
Diverticulitis
Severe constipation especially in patients with history of IBS.
Sigmoid colon is located in left side of abdomen. 95% cases of diverticulitis usually involve sigmoid colon.Therefore whenever a patient presents with history of pain in left iliac fossa initially he/she should be investigated thoroughly for Diverticulitis.Constant pain persisting for several days is a specific feature of diverticulitis.
Initially few baseline tests of gastroenterology should be done to rule out the possibility of involvement of diverticula.
Test sugggested are-
Stool routine and microscopy-To see if there is any bacterial,Protozoal or hemnithic infection in intestines.
CT scan of abdomen- can indicate inflamed or infected pouches and confirm a diagnosis of diverticulitis. CT can also indicate the severity of diverticulitis and guide treatment apart from that any other abdominal pathology would be clearly reflected in CT scan like volvulus.
Please answer the following questions so i can give you a better professional advice-
Pain was sudden in onset or gradual?
How can you describe it whether dull ache or sharp stabbing?
Does the pain move anywhere?
Any symptoms/signs associated with the pain like nausea vomiting loose stools etc?
How has the pain changed over time? Is the intensity of pain same or has increased or decreased?
Any Exacerbating or Relieving factors - Does anything worsen or relieve the pain?
How bad is the pain on a scale of 1(mild) to 10 (worst ever)?
Appetite - If any nausea or vomiting is there and hows your appetite?
Bowels - Frequency ,consistency,color and volume?
Constipation?
Life style and food habits?
Waiting for your answers.Kindly revert back soon so that i can give you a differencial and treatment guideline.
Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
The pain started gradual at first 3? It was dull and I ignored it at first. It started in the winter or early spring? It gotten worst over time varies from a 5-8. I had Insulinoma when I was 18 and have adhesions in that area. I wonder if it way it feels like someone is pulling my gut out. It can now go from dull to cramping now. Making me want to double up. It stays in the same area. I do get the IBS started so that kicks in sometimes. No other symptom but I just don't want to eat when it hurts so my appetite has dropped but I seem to be gaining weight. The pain med., Tramadol HCL 50mg, is almost worthless. The pain is usually worst at bedtime and I have stayed up more than one night. I took two Tramadol, 3 mg of Melatonin to go asleep last night. The pain was not as bad as some nights. Stools are OK no blood in the Hemoccult but constipation. (Because of my bloating I can not tell if I am constipated any more. We have been under a lot of financial and personal stress so I haven't paid a lot of attention to my gut. I eat several times a day but have been afraid to eat much roughage right now. I drink a high protein drink for breakfast now. My BS has been up for awhile. I have been a border line diabetic for years. It can go up or drop when I am under stress. I had Insulinoma when I was 19 and this seems to be the after affects when under stress or sick. thanks for asking the good questions.
Brief Answer:
All problems are inter related.Treat the root cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Our intestine consists of trillions of good bacteria's termed specifically as gut flora.Gut Bacteria Help Digest and Absorb Foods. The most plentiful and important bacteria in the small intestine is the Lactobacillus species. Lactobacillus helps ferment indigestible carbohydrates. Gut bacteria helps in production of mucous and digests food properly hence prevent constipation.Toxins produced by food,old age etc are among various factors causing dysbiosis in which the good bacterial colonies get deplete while bad bacteria's over number them.This causes problem with digestion like constipation,bloating belching etc.
Frankly speaking all these entities from from constipation to enteritis to diverticulitis are inter related,For eg constipation causes undigeated food to accumulate in diverticulas.This food acts as a source of culture for toxic bacteria's and protozoans which grows multiplies and replicates there leading to production of gases and inflammtion of intestine(enteritis).
Tramdol is not very effective in spasmodic pains.You have to get a prescription for antispasmodic like Drotraverine.
On the other hand stress stimulates the autonomous nervous system which increases the moments of inflammed intestines adding up to spasmodic pain.
As you are in financial stress right now i won't suggest you to go for costly investigations rather follow whatever i am prescribing below.You should definitely respond to it in a week or so.
Start taking a laxative like Polyethyklene gyycol 15 ml once daily at night.This will help clearing up your intestines.
Psyllium husk(natural fiber) should be taken 2 tsf once daily soake in ahlfa cup of XXXXXXX warm water.It incraeses the bulk of stool,Lubrictaes stool and relieves constipation.
TakeProbiotic containing Lactobacillus species twice daily with food.This will help to replenish the depleted gut flora.As the good gut flora is restored overall digestion will improve.
Take Anti anxiety medications like benzodiazepenes for few days.They will calm your nerves.
To provide symptomatic relief in bloating take Omeprazole 40 mg once daily.
Take food rich in fibers.
Try to increase fibres intake gradually.
Avoid overeating.
Take lots of curd in food.
Avoid juices for few days.
Take fruits like Banana,Grapes and Oranges.
Sprinkle olive oil over green salad and have it.
Get a stool test done to see if there is a bacterial or protozoal infection.
Follow all these things for a week and revert me after that.
I wish you a great luck and fast recovery.
Kind regards.
All problems are inter related.Treat the root cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Our intestine consists of trillions of good bacteria's termed specifically as gut flora.Gut Bacteria Help Digest and Absorb Foods. The most plentiful and important bacteria in the small intestine is the Lactobacillus species. Lactobacillus helps ferment indigestible carbohydrates. Gut bacteria helps in production of mucous and digests food properly hence prevent constipation.Toxins produced by food,old age etc are among various factors causing dysbiosis in which the good bacterial colonies get deplete while bad bacteria's over number them.This causes problem with digestion like constipation,bloating belching etc.
Frankly speaking all these entities from from constipation to enteritis to diverticulitis are inter related,For eg constipation causes undigeated food to accumulate in diverticulas.This food acts as a source of culture for toxic bacteria's and protozoans which grows multiplies and replicates there leading to production of gases and inflammtion of intestine(enteritis).
Tramdol is not very effective in spasmodic pains.You have to get a prescription for antispasmodic like Drotraverine.
On the other hand stress stimulates the autonomous nervous system which increases the moments of inflammed intestines adding up to spasmodic pain.
As you are in financial stress right now i won't suggest you to go for costly investigations rather follow whatever i am prescribing below.You should definitely respond to it in a week or so.
Start taking a laxative like Polyethyklene gyycol 15 ml once daily at night.This will help clearing up your intestines.
Psyllium husk(natural fiber) should be taken 2 tsf once daily soake in ahlfa cup of XXXXXXX warm water.It incraeses the bulk of stool,Lubrictaes stool and relieves constipation.
TakeProbiotic containing Lactobacillus species twice daily with food.This will help to replenish the depleted gut flora.As the good gut flora is restored overall digestion will improve.
Take Anti anxiety medications like benzodiazepenes for few days.They will calm your nerves.
To provide symptomatic relief in bloating take Omeprazole 40 mg once daily.
Take food rich in fibers.
Try to increase fibres intake gradually.
Avoid overeating.
Take lots of curd in food.
Avoid juices for few days.
Take fruits like Banana,Grapes and Oranges.
Sprinkle olive oil over green salad and have it.
Get a stool test done to see if there is a bacterial or protozoal infection.
Follow all these things for a week and revert me after that.
I wish you a great luck and fast recovery.
Kind regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
