What Causes Pain And Gas Only A Certain Section Of The Stomach?

Posted on Mon, 10 Mar 2014

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

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 1 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Why would I only feel pain and gas moving through my colon on only a certain section? Is this normal? Does it sound like IBS?Also does it make sense that stools would occasionaly( twice in the last few months) change shape? Thick but kind of flat? I've read that can happen with IBS if the colon is spasming. If it were a tumor or large polyp causing it wouldn't they be that shape all the time?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (15 hours later)

Brief Answer: Your symptoms are not due to polyp Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. Sorry for the delay in my response. I have read your history. I do not think feeling lump or gas is very serious issue. It can happen If you take a very fatty or full of protein diet. Also shape of stool is not related to polyp or tumour. It can be due to eating some food, spicy mostly. So do not pay attention to shape of stool. Polyp is usually associated with blood in stool . Also if your parents has them you are more prone for it. So you should not be worried about this. IBS is more of a psychiatric disorder and related with anxiety. I hope I had answer your questions. Let me know if you have any other questions. regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (15 minutes later)

I do have a history of panic disorder and have been very worried lately. My sister ( who is 18 months older than I am just had a malignant tumor removed form her colon. I have an appointment next week with the GI doctor and am very frightened by what they may find. In January I did a three day course of a Walgreens home fecal test. Also did one in February. Both came back negative. In late February did a lab immunoassay decal occult test, also negative. Been having plenty of pain that moves around. Have a history of IBS type symptoms but never had it checked. Mostly diahhrea and having to go soon after eating. Stools more solid the past few days and today a little oddly shaped. Odd shape happened once before. How worried should I be?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: IBS is not related to colon cancer Detailed Answer: I can understand your stress. When your near friend or relative is diagnosed with such disease, any body can feel same features in their body. I just want to emphasize that IBS is not related to colon cancer .For pain and bloatingyou ccan meet with your doctor. Drugs like pentaprozole and demperidon can help you. You had done occult test and it was negative . I do not think you have cancer. You can go ahead with testing is you fee anxious. But if reports are negative, there is no need to take stress. Let me know if any other confusion is there.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 days later)

Hello again- I saw the GI doctor yesterday and he said that all my symptoms sound like IBS. That should reassure me but my symptoms have changed in the past few days. My bowels are not as active as normal. I usually have gas moving thought my bowels all the time and the past few days it has been much decreased. Have been passing stool but that has been decreased as well. I also have been feeling bloated on the left side and around the back. The original pain is gone. This seems to move around a lot. I still have several p Points where if impress on it it hurts. Is this normal for IBS? I didn't think that IBS pain stayed for days or weeks at a time. Could this be caused by increased stress? Does this sound like cancer? Like IBS? Like something else? I have colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled for next week and am terrified of what they might find. I have not had any bleeding. Is chronic diarrhea as an only sypmtoms a warning sign for colon cancer? I am not anaemic and my immunofecal test was negative for blood. My non contrast abdominal ct was negative as well. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: IBS can have pain Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing back, As I already told you that IBS is more of a psychiatric disorder so it can present in various symptoms. It can have pain too. And it has its relation to stress as well. One thing I can assure you is none of your symptom suggest cancer. So be assured from this point. Avoid stress and anxiety. I hope your colonoscopy and dudenoscopy will also come normal. If you are very anxious meet a Psychiatrist also, they can offer better treatment for IBS. Let me know if you want to ask any thing else. Thanks and take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (3 hours later)

When I press and it hurts is that in indication of swelling? Or of a growth? Sometimes when gas moves through an area I feel a sharp pain, just for a second. Does that mean anything? Thank you. I will close this soon so you can get credit but how do I find you again for further questions?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: You can not feel growth like this. Detailed Answer: You cannot feel any tumour of colon from skin. It is usually gas. This is a rule. So do not be stressed. Just stay calm. This will help you in IBS. As anxiety is bad for IBS. You can reach me in future on this link: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=67411 Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad