What Causes Abdominal Cramps, Bloating, Severe Gas And Diarrhea?

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

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

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 Answered on

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,

I am currently having stomach problems: mostly cramping, bloating, severe gas, and sometimes diarreah. What concerns me the most is that I've lost 20 pounds in 1 month and feel tired easily. It has been more than 3 months with symptoms.

I checked up with my doctor at home and did the following examinations:
1. Abdominal radiography (normal)
2. CBC (wbc slightly elevated)
3. CMP (bilirubin slighly elevated)
4. Vitamin K levels (low)
5. Endoscopy (normal)
6. colonoscopy (normal)
7. Amylase and lipase (normal)
8. Stomach motility nuclear test (normal)

Background:
In 2010 I had appendix removed.
I have gerd, but under control.

What could be causing stomach problems? I am travelling now and cant see a medical professional in 4 months.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow....

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking on HCM!
I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows:

1. You are reporting to have had cramping diarrhea, bloating and severe gas plus diarrhea.
These symptoms may be related with:
- malabsorbtion especially if you have lost 20 pound in a month.
- IBS
- acute gastroenteritis
2. If I were your treating doctor i would suggest to do:
- fecal exams for ova parasites, candida, and leukocyte
- fecal exams for malabsorbtion.
3. BUT since you are travelling and you can not see a gastroenterologist recently I suggest to use :
- probiotics
- digestive enzymes like creon
- PPI's liek Prilosec.
- antispasmodic drugs to improve your symptoms

Hope it was helpful to you.
Dr.Klerida

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