What Causes Abdominal Bloating With Pale Stool?

Posted on Sun, 29 Jun 2014

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

Sun, 29 Jun 2014 Answered on

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Good evening. I am a male, 51, 5'8" and 172 pounds. Wednesday evening I went to eat pizza with two friends. All day Thursday I had the runs. I took an Imodium in the evening. Friday I was tired and slept much of the day. I felt bloated. Same today, though I went out to a conference in the evening after taking a Tums. I came home still feeling bloated. Just went to the bathroom and saw light pale stools, gray almost, which I have never seen before in my life. What do I do?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Investigations and treatment accordingly

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read the history carefully which you have put nicely.
How is the condition of the other 2 friends? Are the y normal or suffering from similar complaints?
The most worrisome part is light pale stools, gray almost.
I would advise you to undergo the following tests:
Blood: complete blood picture, urea, creatinine, ''liver function tests'' ( alkaline phosphatase is very important as you have gray stools), sugar and electrolytes.
Urine: routine , microscopy, bile salt and pigments
Stool: routine, microscopy, culture and sensitivity, stercobilin ( absence indicates obstructive jaundice)
Ultrasonography- to see whether you are having stone in the gall bladder or bile ducts.

You have to take antibiotics and probiotics as per your Doctor's advise ( need a prescription). Tums - you may continue, take curds, banana, activated charcoal tablets.
Further management will be as per the reports.

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