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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Abdominal Cramps And Subsequent Bowel Movements After Drinking Caffeine?

I am a 75-year old female in good health. Over the past year, 2-3 cups of morning coffee has been gradually giving me progressively more painful lower abdominal cramps and subsequent bowel movements. I quit drinking it and any caffeine about 4 months ago and symptoms vanished. I tried it again today to confirm my findings, this time taking Beano first, and back came the same symptoms. Why?
Wed, 23 Dec 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.

I have read your query and understand the concern.

Stomach cramps are usually related to acute gastroenteritis or acute gastritis but there may be some food allergy or food (gluten or fructose) intolerance.

This seems to be food allergy which causing your cramps over abdomen in your case either caffeine or Beano which in turn irritate the bowels and causes excess bowel movements and cramps.

Food allergy can be diagnosed only on the basis of detailed history taking and thoroughly clinical examination by an expert.

Although there are laboratory allergic testing of food is being done nowadays but none of them is reliable clinically and also adds extra cost to the patient.

The best way to cure allergy is to avoid contact of that particular allergen.
However there are very good medicines like epinephrine,steroids, antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers are available in market to combat allergic symptoms.

You may take symptomatic treatment like anti-spasmodic and antacids with plenty of water and fruit juices to prevent further cramps in night time.

Consult gastroenterologist t or allergic specialist for further advise.

Thanks and Regards
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What Causes Abdominal Cramps And Subsequent Bowel Movements After Drinking Caffeine?

Hi, Welcome to HCM. I have read your query and understand the concern. Stomach cramps are usually related to acute gastroenteritis or acute gastritis but there may be some food allergy or food (gluten or fructose) intolerance. This seems to be food allergy which causing your cramps over abdomen in your case either caffeine or Beano which in turn irritate the bowels and causes excess bowel movements and cramps. Food allergy can be diagnosed only on the basis of detailed history taking and thoroughly clinical examination by an expert. Although there are laboratory allergic testing of food is being done nowadays but none of them is reliable clinically and also adds extra cost to the patient. The best way to cure allergy is to avoid contact of that particular allergen. However there are very good medicines like epinephrine,steroids, antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers are available in market to combat allergic symptoms. You may take symptomatic treatment like anti-spasmodic and antacids with plenty of water and fruit juices to prevent further cramps in night time. Consult gastroenterologist t or allergic specialist for further advise. Thanks and Regards