[31F] Experiencing sulfur burps, frequent diarrhea, lethargy, and headaches

Patient Description

A 31-year-old female reports suffering from sulfur burps that taste like rotten eggs for the past 2 days, occurring 7-8 days out of the month. She is also experiencing frequent dark green liquid diarrhea with undigested food, approximately 9-10 times a day for the past 12 hours. The patient feels lethargic, rating her lack of energy at a 6 out of 10, and has been dozing off mid-conversation. Additionally, she has been having daily throbbing frontal headaches with an intensity of 7 out of 10, particularly in the first few hours after waking up. She feels colder than usual but does not report fever, severe abdominal pain, or persistent vomiting. She has no recent travel history. The patient has a medical history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, diagnosed in October. Her current medications include Lisinopril, Vitamin D, Crestor, Actos, Gabapentin, Adderall, and a weekly 5mg injection of Munjaro.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, the following conditions might be considered:

Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the most common cause and is often referred to as a stomach or intestinal flu. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and chills.
Food poisoning: This occurs when you eat food that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Symptoms are often similar to those of gastroenteritis and can include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Gastritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori. Symptoms can include a burning ache or pain in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better with eating.
Diabetic gastroparesis: This is a condition in which your stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal fashion. It is most often a complication of type 1 diabetes. Symptoms can include heartburn, nausea, vomiting of undigested food, an early feeling of fullness when eating, weight loss, abdominal bloating, erratic blood glucose (sugar) levels, lack of appetite, gastroesophageal reflux, and spasms of the stomach wall.

Please note that this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for accurate information.

What you can do

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids such as water or oral rehydration solutions available at pharmacies. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks, as they can dehydrate you or increase your symptoms.
Rest: If you're feeling lethargic, your body needs time to recover. Make sure you're getting plenty of sleep.
Eat light: If you can eat without vomiting, eat small amounts of bland foods like rice, applesauce, or crackers.
Over-the-counter medication: Over-the-counter treatments like Pepto-Bismol can help with symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach upset.
Monitor your blood sugar levels: As a diabetic, it's important to monitor your blood sugar levels and keep them under control. High or low blood sugar levels can make your symptoms worse.

What you should look out for

If your symptoms persist for more than a few days or get worse
Blood in your stool or vomit
High fever (over 101 F)
Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, decreased urination, extreme thirst, dizziness, or fatigue
Severe abdominal or rectal pain
Uncontrolled vomiting

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the above.

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11 mo ago

Top picked over-the-counter products for Irritable Bowel Syndrome