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What Is The Cause Adn Treatment For Lower Abdominal Cramps?

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Posted on Tue, 5 Aug 2014
Question: Hi. I am 20 years old and fairly healthy. I have been a runner my whole life. For the past couple years I have had problems with my bowels, I always thought it was irritable bowel syndrome spurred by an eating disorder I had when I was seventeen. It comes and goes and has never been a cause for concern. However, last saturday I woke up with the worst lower body cramps. I got sick the next day (flu like symptoms) and then spent the day recovering, figuring I had gotten a bug from something I ate. The next day when I tried to run I experienced pain in my lower abdomen (pelvic region). The day after that the pain had started to fade but was still present. I can run six miles now, but still feel a dull cramping in my lower belly (its like a 2 on the pain scale). The only other thing that is concerning is that undigested food is showing up in my bowel movements. I had carrots last night and they showed up in my bowel movement this morning.

Should I be worried or did I just get a bug that could pass.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

As this situation is not the first time, you should not ignore it. Of course some gastrointestinal infection is possible and might be the only reason of your symptoms. However you need to rule out some other issues including inflammatory bowels disease or chronic bacterial infection.
I suggest you to do not wait for another episode. Please visit gastroenterologist. Stool test, stool culture test, abdominal ultrasound and blood work should be done at first.
Try to suggest your doctor Rifaximine treatment. This is a special type of antibiotic which can cure chronic intestinal infection. Please also start probiotic intake.
If this wont help, colonoscopy should be considered.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

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

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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What Is The Cause Adn Treatment For Lower Abdominal Cramps?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. As this situation is not the first time, you should not ignore it. Of course some gastrointestinal infection is possible and might be the only reason of your symptoms. However you need to rule out some other issues including inflammatory bowels disease or chronic bacterial infection. I suggest you to do not wait for another episode. Please visit gastroenterologist. Stool test, stool culture test, abdominal ultrasound and blood work should be done at first. Try to suggest your doctor Rifaximine treatment. This is a special type of antibiotic which can cure chronic intestinal infection. Please also start probiotic intake. If this wont help, colonoscopy should be considered. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.