Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Persistent Diarrhea Along With Abdominal Cramps And Bloating?

Possible bad food reaction? Diarrhea and cramping. Then no bowel movements for 8 days. I take a laxative, then more diarrhea and cramping. again no bowl movements only congealed fluids passing in very small amounts for 8 days. A lot of gas and bloating. 20 days and counting since first possible bad food. How to break the cycle? I feel the need to go but nothing comes.
Tue, 8 Dec 2015
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Absence of bowel movements or more appropriately no passage of stools or gas for 8 days followed by passage of fluids accompanied by gas and bloating after taking laxative is definitively not due to food poisoning or infection.
Food poisoning or infection last for couple of days and are characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea or sometimes dysentery (blood in stools).
These symptoms do not last for such long duration.
Thus, I am of the opinion that you may be suffering from laxative abuse or irritable bowel syndrome.
I suggest you to consult a gastroenterologist for clinical assessment.
A routine stool examination may be required.
A detailed current and past history of gastrointestinal trouble, history of laxative use and imaging study like ultrasound abdomen will be required to investigate the cause of symptoms.
The gas problem can be temporarily controlled by taking proton pump inhibitors before taking breakfast empty stomach.
However, this is just temporary measure and definitive treatment can be planned after complete work up.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Persistent Diarrhea Along With Abdominal Cramps And Bloating?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Absence of bowel movements or more appropriately no passage of stools or gas for 8 days followed by passage of fluids accompanied by gas and bloating after taking laxative is definitively not due to food poisoning or infection. Food poisoning or infection last for couple of days and are characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea or sometimes dysentery (blood in stools). These symptoms do not last for such long duration. Thus, I am of the opinion that you may be suffering from laxative abuse or irritable bowel syndrome. I suggest you to consult a gastroenterologist for clinical assessment. A routine stool examination may be required. A detailed current and past history of gastrointestinal trouble, history of laxative use and imaging study like ultrasound abdomen will be required to investigate the cause of symptoms. The gas problem can be temporarily controlled by taking proton pump inhibitors before taking breakfast empty stomach. However, this is just temporary measure and definitive treatment can be planned after complete work up. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri