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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Stomach Cramps, Bowel Movements After Eating Post A Holiday Abroad. Remedy?

After a holiday abroad I was getting stomach cramps after eating and needing to go to the toilet,after taking Imodium for four days it solidified but needing the toilet after eating is still happening.My stools sink and I am going to the toilet two three times a day which has never happened before.I eat then about 15minutes later the cramps start and I need to go,I ve never had a problem like this before with my stomach also I don t drink any caffeiene or eat much sweets.
Sat, 20 Oct 2012
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Gastroenterologist 's  Response
Hello, thestrawberryfields,
What you have is called Traveler's Diarrhea.
The most common reason is ingestion of food or
drink contaminated with certain bacteria. Almost
80% of this is due to food. There are bacteria called
E.Coli and the toxigenic strains of these cause the
problem. There are at least six different types that
can cause gastroenteritis, nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,fever,
some times bloody diarrhea.
Other bugs that can also cause this include, Salmonella,
Shigella, Campylobacter,Giardia,Norwalk virus, also
cryptosporidium etc.
If the infection is mild, it will get better in 2-3 days.
If the symptoms are really bad, you will need treatment
with antibiotics. You need to keep your hydration good.
Electrolyte containing drinks like gatorade etc. will be good.
As for antibiotics, ciproflaxin class of drugs are good.
You do need a prescription from your doctor.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) helps the stomach
and diarrhea. Stool may turn black ! Lomotil, Imodium are
O.K. if the diarrhea is not very severe or bloody.
Avoid alcohol,excess caffeine.
Hope this helps you. As always, if the symptoms get worse,
please see your doctor or go the nearest medical facility.
Wish you well.
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General Surgeon Dr. Grzegorz Stanko's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

It is quite common that after a holiday abroad some foreign bacterias are colonizing our intestines. It is possible that it happen to you too. Such bacterias are displacing your natural intestines bacterias and causes such symptoms. It can lead to IBS.
You should have some diagnostic first. Abdominal ultrasound and fool blood work should be done. If you find this tests negative, you should ask your doctor about Rifaximine, which gives relief in such cases. If Rifaximine will not work for you, other tests like upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy should be performed.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
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Stomach Cramps, Bowel Movements After Eating Post A Holiday Abroad. Remedy?

Hello, thestrawberryfields, What you have is called Traveler s Diarrhea. The most common reason is ingestion of food or drink contaminated with certain bacteria. Almost 80% of this is due to food. There are bacteria called E.Coli and the toxigenic strains of these cause the problem. There are at least six different types that can cause gastroenteritis, nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,fever, some times bloody diarrhea. Other bugs that can also cause this include, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter,Giardia,Norwalk virus, also cryptosporidium etc. If the infection is mild, it will get better in 2-3 days. If the symptoms are really bad, you will need treatment with antibiotics. You need to keep your hydration good. Electrolyte containing drinks like gatorade etc. will be good. As for antibiotics, ciproflaxin class of drugs are good. You do need a prescription from your doctor. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) helps the stomach and diarrhea. Stool may turn black ! Lomotil, Imodium are O.K. if the diarrhea is not very severe or bloody. Avoid alcohol,excess caffeine. Hope this helps you. As always, if the symptoms get worse, please see your doctor or go the nearest medical facility. Wish you well.