Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Abdominal spasm/twitch

Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic: Digestive


I have been having this odd twitch in my abdomen. It
started a couple of weeks ago in my upper left abdomen. It feels
similar to stomache rumbling, but lasts for hours. It seemed to
go away for about a week, but is now occuring again in my
lower right abdomen. It is not painful, but is somewhat
uncomfortable. I haven't had any diet changes recently, and it
is not occompanied by unusual bowel movement, gas, or diarrhea.
It is not relieved by bowel movement. It appears to occur close
to the surface; I can actually see it moving. I don't eat much
meat and eat a lot of vegetables and exercise frequently. I am
27 years old, and have a family history of colin cancer so I am
a little worried about that.
_
Dear Joe,
The twitching that you describe in your abdominal wall is suggestive of muscle contractions and is not a harbinger of serious medical problems. Your risk of colon cancer, however, is increased if you have one or more relatives with this condition. The more relatives with colon cancer, the greater the risk. In particular if there are three related persons with colon cancer and one developed the disease before age 50, then you must be followed more closely.

You should discuss your concerns regarding colon cancer with your physician. Screening should begin 10 years before the earliest detection of cancer in your family. For example if a relative developed cancer at 50, then your screening starts at age 40. If the cancers occurred in the elderly, then you should start screening at age 40. Finally, if you have symptoms of blood in the stool or a change in bowel pattern, then you should be evaluated at that time.

This response is offered for your general information and should not replace the conclusions drawn from a careful and complete evaluation by your physician.

If you want, we would be happy to see you in the Division of Gastroenterology at Henry Ford Hospital and perform the appropriate investigations after we have had the chance to meet you and to review your history in greater detail. You can arrange an appointment with Dr. Bresalier, one of our experts in the diagnosis and treatment of colon cnacer by calling the Henry Ford Physician Referral Line at (800)653-6568.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: colon cancer
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