What Causes Stomach Pain And Loose Stools?

Posted on Tue, 8 Apr 2014

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

Tue, 8 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor! My 3 year old daughter complains of stomchache on and off. She complained about it first around a month back and at that time I thought she might have eaten something bad. For 2-3 days we didn't pay much attention to that. She started passing very loose stool but not more than twice a day. After 2-3 days we took her to a Paediatrician. We visit this same doctor everytime she has a problem. That doctor said that because she suffers from cold on and off so she seems to have allergic nature and because she consumes 2-3 candies a day and also consumes curd (which is not good in cold) so that might be the cause. Still he prescribed "Flora BC Dry syrup" and "NewZyme". He also prescribed a Routine Stool test. I had the doubts that she might have worms but the test showed nothing. Even after completing the course of medicine her condition is still the same. She still passes very loose watery stool (but not more than twice a day). Though the frequency of stomachache complaints have reduced but still she does complain sometimes. Any guidance would be much helpful. Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer: stool test will be normal for thread worms. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for asking question on health care magic. worm infestation ,especially thread worms may not be seen some times on routine stool examination. Worm infestation may give rise to chronic abdominal pain and loose motions as well. Amoebic colitis also gives similar symptoms. It is also difficult find EH vegetative forms in the stool unless special techniques are employed. A trial of metronidazole and ivermctin may help. Continue Flora BC and Newzyme as presribed by your doctor. Zn-20 once daily for 14 days may help. Over and above personal hygiene is more important. Hope this answer will serve your purpose Please feel free to ask any more queries if required Take care Dr.M.V.Subrahmanyam MD;DCH Associate professor of pediatrics

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (4 days later)

Thank you doctor. Meanwhile I got the stool culture test done and the report mentions -Escherichia Coli. Can you suggest how XXXXXXX it is and what is the effective medicine for my 3 yr old daughter?

Answered by Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Spontaneous recovery occurs with E.coli infection. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for asking followup question on health care magic. E,coli infection causes diarrhea which is self limited. No treatment is necessary except preventing dehydration by giving plenty of fluids including ORS solution if necessary. Avoid loperamide and bismuth based preparations. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen. Rarely in 5% may develop serious complication like HUS. Hope this answer will serve your purpose Please feel free to ask any more queries if required Take care Dr.M.V.Subrahmanyam MD;DCH Associate professor of pediatrics

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj