[27F] With chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain

Patient Description

A 27-year-old female has been experiencing diarrhea on and off for the past 5-6 months, with bowel movements occurring 2-3 times a day. The diarrhea is mostly loose, sometimes watery, and not triggered by specific foods or travel. Accompanying symptoms include weight loss, excessive gas, and dull abdominal pain near and below the belly button, rated 5 out of 10 in severity. Nausea is present, but there is no vomiting or blood in the stool. Avoiding dairy and spicy foods has slightly reduced the frequency of diarrhea. No new medications or supplements have been started recently, except for a 2-day course of metronidazole, which caused severe nausea. There is no known family history of gastrointestinal issues, and the patient has no known allergies.

Show More

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, here are some possible explanations:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common condition that affects the large intestine and can cause symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain. Stress and certain foods can trigger symptoms.

    • Treatment often involves dietary changes, stress management, and sometimes medication to manage symptoms.

  • Lactose Intolerance: Since avoiding dairy helped a bit, you might have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.

    • Treatment involves avoiding lactose-containing foods or using lactase supplements.

  • Chronic Gastroenteritis or Infection: Sometimes, infections can linger and cause ongoing symptoms like diarrhea and nausea.

    • Treatment may involve further testing and possibly antibiotics or probiotics.

  • Celiac Disease: This is an immune reaction to eating gluten, which can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain.

    • Treatment involves a strict gluten-free diet.

What you can do

  1. Consult a Doctor: It's important to see a healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis and to discuss your symptoms in detail.
  2. Dietary Adjustments: Continue avoiding dairy and spicy foods. Consider trying a low-FODMAP diet, which can help with IBS symptoms.
  3. Symptom Tracking: Use MDandMe to journal your symptoms, track your diet, and note any patterns. This information can be helpful for your doctor.
  4. Stay Hydrated: Ensure you drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration from diarrhea.

What you should look out for

Seek medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe abdominal pain or a significant increase in symptoms
  • Blood in your stool
  • Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness or decreased urination
  • Unexplained weight loss

Remember, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Show More

1
 Hugs
0
 Comments

Save

2 mo ago

People Also Ask

What are the common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Symptoms can vary widely among individuals and may be triggered by stress or certain foods.

How can lactose intolerance be managed if avoiding dairy helps reduce symptoms?

Lactose intolerance can be managed by avoiding lactose-containing foods, using lactase enzyme supplements to help digest lactose, and choosing lactose-free dairy alternatives.

What are the signs that a gastrointestinal infection might be chronic?

Signs of a chronic gastrointestinal infection may include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss. If symptoms persist for several weeks or months, further testing by a healthcare provider is recommended.

How is Celiac Disease diagnosed and managed?

Celiac Disease is diagnosed through blood tests that look for specific antibodies and a biopsy of the small intestine. Management involves adhering to a strict gluten-free diet to prevent symptoms and intestinal damage.

Preview

Post

No comments yet

Be the first one to comment

Share your feedback

All Stories

Experiencing symptoms?

Our AI will conduct a medical interview and assess what might be happening. You can also make a post afterwards.

Share your feedback