What Causes Abdominal Bloating And Tenderness While Treating Constipation?

Posted on Mon, 30 Nov 2015

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

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 Answered on

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had constipation for several days, then took laxatives which seemed to have calmed the issues but then my stomach bloated up and became tender to the touch especially below my navel and right above it. I do pass gas and every morning it seems to have reduced but during the day it gets bad again and now my ankles are swollen in the morning. This has been going on for several days.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clinical evaluation and investigations

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
To recapitulate: Female/61 - constipation relieved with laxatives - but bloating and tenderness above and below the naval - gases still remain as problem - going on for several days - ankles swollen in the morning

My thoughts depending upon the history your have provided:
Since constipation is present for several day, it is possible that there are remaining fecoliths or mass in the transverse colon that is causing bloating and tenderness and gases.

I would advise you the following:
- Get an X-ray of the abdomen in the standing position.
- Clinical evaluation by a Doctor, preferably a General Surgeon who on examination can guide better for further investigations and treatment.
- Ultrasonography of the whole abdomen.
- CT scan and colonoscopy as and when needed.
- Test of blood and urine- routine and proteins in both.
- Tests of stool on 3 consecutive days.

All these tests will help to get a probable/confirmed diagnosis and a plan for further management.

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Dr.
Based on your reply, unfortunately I won't have insurance until after the first of the year and do not have the money to pay on my own for all of this, is there anything I can do at home to help alleviate my condition?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please try this, may help.

Detailed Answer:
Got your feedback.
Please try the following things:

Continue Laxative and Gas-x.
Take some antispasmodic like Dicyclomin to relieve the pain.
Please give me some additional information:
- Stool at the moment: Consistency, color, smell (normal or foul), any mucus or blood, worms, anything that you have noticed.
- Since when is the pain and tenderness present (exact duration)?
- Any associated nausea, vomiting or fever?
- Any other information that you would like to share?

Visit a healthcare facility and at least get stool sample and if possible plain X-ray of the abdomen and clinical examination by a Doctor so that it can give some additional information like whether there is a lump in abdomen, palpable liver- X-ray shows whether the colon is loaded with fecoliths, and if stool examination shows infection or on clinical basis by a Doctor you get a prescription a 5 day course of an antibiotic and metronidazole (these are not OTC) if required. This may help in most of the cases as may help in your case too.
Let us see the results of these at least.
Take a probiotic and multivitamins too.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

my stool has been almost back to normal except for a few exceptions after I eat, which my stomach cannot handle much of. The tenderness and discomfort is constant but the area below my naval towards my pelvic area seems to be harder and comes to a vee towards my pelvic area. o fever,nausea or vomiting. Smell is normal not foul
P.S. There is a lot of stress in my life right now

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow the above guidelines

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Since there is constant tenderness and discomfort and some area that is harder as you have explained, this may need an attention and additional treatment as advised above.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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