What Causes Persistent Abdominal Bloating While On Ciprofloxacin?

Posted on Sat, 25 Feb 2017

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

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 Answered on

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, my wife commenced bloating about 10 days ago . The only thing we can put it down to is she ate a Thai Chicken curry dish. The following day she vomited the contents totally undigested. For the next couple of days she barely ate apart from some fruit and milk and she continued to bloat with loud gurgling sounds. The next day she tried eating a proper meal which was again vomited undigested . She is still the same today although her diorreah has changed from brown, to dark green and the latest looked like black water. She has been taking Ciprofloxacin and Gasym tablets. We cut out dairy products after we realised it was probably feeding any bacteria.

Could you please advise the likely cause of the change of colour of her diarreah and if you think we are dealing with bacteria. My wife has been virtually bedridden for the last 3 months after breaking her femur, so this maybe aggravating the situation.

Thank you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gastroenteritis most likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing HCM for query,

Your wife is suffering from gastroenteritis also known as stomach flu.It is an intestinal infection marked by diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.However its not necessary that all symptoms are present in every patient.Mostly Bacterial,Protozoal and viral infection causes inflammation in your stomach and intestines causing symptoms like vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.Different color of stool is because of improper digestion of food.You should get a stool routine and microscopy test done to see the cause of infection.

Treatment
Take imodium(Loperamide) 2mg one tablet twice daily for 3 days.
Give her a probiotic twice daily,Probiotics contains lactobacillus. These bacteria's help in proper digestion of food and will help to revive your depleted gastric flora.Once gut flora is revived food will be digested properly.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration–You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from diarrhoea.
Take coconut water it contains lots of potassium.
Proton pump inhibitor like Esomeprazole(Neksium 40mg) should be taken once daily,it will provide symptomatic relief in belching and gas problem.
Stop ciprofloxacin and start Cefixime and ofloxacin can be given for 3 days.

Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (20 minutes later)

Thank you doctor what diet do you suggest , she is currently eating papaya and bananas and drinking electrolyte sachets although these are high in sugar. Were we correct in cutting out dairy products.

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
She should take light and easily digestable food,Like boiled vegetable with sprinkled salt and pepper.
Soups can be given.
All fibrous fruits can be taken.
No meat or fast food should be taken for few days.
No aerated drink should be taken.
Giver her plenty of orange juice,Banana is a very good source of potassium so keep on taking it.
One glass of electrolyte solution should be given with every stool.
Cut down all dairies for few days.
Food should be low in fat contents.
Give her a lot's of yogurt it contains lactobacillus and improves digestion.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng