Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Gastrointestinal Infection
Question: My husband had gall bladder removal surgery over one year ago. His diet had been normal, but he ate very small meals, because he felt "full" easily'
3 weeks ago we ate out. He ate crawfish, onion rings .. etc. Not in great volume, but a lot more fatty than usual.
The next day he was vomiting and had diarrhea, both consisting of bile. It lasted two days. He only could hold down water. I begged him to go in to the doctor, but he wouldn't.
He tried probiotic and his vomiting stopped and he could eat applesauce, crackers, etc.
His abdomen was distended and he had gas and belching.
3 weeks later and he ate more and more different foods (beef, chicken, vegetables,yogurt,etc.) and felt okay, but his abdomen was still swollen and he couldn't very large amounts. For 3 days he had a temperature of 90 degrees.
He stopped the probiotic, ate a piece of lasagna 2 days ago and felt nauseous.
Today he has a stabbing pain in his upper right abdomen where the gallbladder was. He won't eat. His abdomen is still swollen. Bowel movements and urine look normal he says.
I forgot! He has had a dry cough for a week and he NEVER coughs. Non-smoker.
Also, he had extensive cat scans, mris and blood work done with the gallbladder surgery and all was well.
3 weeks ago we ate out. He ate crawfish, onion rings .. etc. Not in great volume, but a lot more fatty than usual.
The next day he was vomiting and had diarrhea, both consisting of bile. It lasted two days. He only could hold down water. I begged him to go in to the doctor, but he wouldn't.
He tried probiotic and his vomiting stopped and he could eat applesauce, crackers, etc.
His abdomen was distended and he had gas and belching.
3 weeks later and he ate more and more different foods (beef, chicken, vegetables,yogurt,etc.) and felt okay, but his abdomen was still swollen and he couldn't very large amounts. For 3 days he had a temperature of 90 degrees.
He stopped the probiotic, ate a piece of lasagna 2 days ago and felt nauseous.
Today he has a stabbing pain in his upper right abdomen where the gallbladder was. He won't eat. His abdomen is still swollen. Bowel movements and urine look normal he says.
I forgot! He has had a dry cough for a week and he NEVER coughs. Non-smoker.
Also, he had extensive cat scans, mris and blood work done with the gallbladder surgery and all was well.
Brief Answer:
Gastrointestinal infection or stone in bile ducts.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Removing gallbladder we get rid of the effect of some problem (stones). But the reason why the stones has been present is still there. That is why, some patients after gallbladder removal can have stones in bile ducts. Symptoms can be very similar to gallbladder symptoms. Sometimes, when a stone obstructs bile duct, urine gets dark and stool whitish.
The other possibility is that he has had simple gastrointestinal infection. Diarrhea, vomiting are typical symptoms of this problem. Probiotic usually helps with an infection.
As he is over the age of 50, one more thing should be considered. As over 50 the risk of colon cancer significantly rises, he should have colonoscopy done as well. Distended abdomen, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by partial bowels obstruction due to colon cancer.
He should consult his doctor. Abdominal ultrasound, blood work, urine analysis, liver tests should be done at first. Colonoscopy should be second.
If its about his cough, most likely its caused by vomiting. It very often irritates airwaves. It is also possible to absorb some part of vomits to lungs.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Gastrointestinal infection or stone in bile ducts.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Removing gallbladder we get rid of the effect of some problem (stones). But the reason why the stones has been present is still there. That is why, some patients after gallbladder removal can have stones in bile ducts. Symptoms can be very similar to gallbladder symptoms. Sometimes, when a stone obstructs bile duct, urine gets dark and stool whitish.
The other possibility is that he has had simple gastrointestinal infection. Diarrhea, vomiting are typical symptoms of this problem. Probiotic usually helps with an infection.
As he is over the age of 50, one more thing should be considered. As over 50 the risk of colon cancer significantly rises, he should have colonoscopy done as well. Distended abdomen, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by partial bowels obstruction due to colon cancer.
He should consult his doctor. Abdominal ultrasound, blood work, urine analysis, liver tests should be done at first. Colonoscopy should be second.
If its about his cough, most likely its caused by vomiting. It very often irritates airwaves. It is also possible to absorb some part of vomits to lungs.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
