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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Symptoms
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Symptoms
by LGworried, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your quick response to my previous question about rectal bleeding.
I had another quick question. I have been driving myself crazy lately with symptoms and jumping to the worst conclusions. I have also gone for plenty of physicals with a clean bill of health. However, lately I notice I am gassier than usual especially after coffee or vegetables. I get the very occasional heartburn and indigestion(a fews time a month- again recently). I get crampy pain in my stomach but usually around period time. I have gone to the gyn for a pelvic and pap.(all normal) The symptoms are sporadic and don't affect my routine. My questions are:
Could these symptoms all be related to a big problem?( My previous ones also from my other question rectal bleeding and mucus, which hasn't happened in a year)
I feel like I have been spending my life in the doctor's office lately. Is heartburn and gas serious when it is this sporadic or normal? When do these problems constitute concern or a doctor visit?
Thanks,
LGWorried
Thank you for your quick response to my previous question about rectal bleeding.
I had another quick question. I have been driving myself crazy lately with symptoms and jumping to the worst conclusions. I have also gone for plenty of physicals with a clean bill of health. However, lately I notice I am gassier than usual especially after coffee or vegetables. I get the very occasional heartburn and indigestion(a fews time a month- again recently). I get crampy pain in my stomach but usually around period time. I have gone to the gyn for a pelvic and pap.(all normal) The symptoms are sporadic and don't affect my routine. My questions are:
Could these symptoms all be related to a big problem?( My previous ones also from my other question rectal bleeding and mucus, which hasn't happened in a year)
I feel like I have been spending my life in the doctor's office lately. Is heartburn and gas serious when it is this sporadic or normal? When do these problems constitute concern or a doctor visit?
Thanks,
LGWorried
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.
There are several reasons for increased gas and bloating. These include irritable bowel disease or causes of dyspepsia (such as inflammation of the stomach or esophagus and peptic ulcer disease). Malabsorption - either lactate or carbohydrate malabsorption, fat malabsorption, or celiac disease - can also be a cause.
If the symptoms worsen or do not improve, I would consider tests for the stool to evaluate for fat malabsortion or stool infection. Breath or blood tests can also be performed for lactate or carbohydrate malabsorption. Serum antibodies can be measured to evaluate for celiac disease. If you are also experiencing upper GI discomfort, initial evaluation with an upper GI series would evaluate for GERD or other causes of dyspepsia (i.e. ulcer).
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
There are several reasons for increased gas and bloating. These include irritable bowel disease or causes of dyspepsia (such as inflammation of the stomach or esophagus and peptic ulcer disease). Malabsorption - either lactate or carbohydrate malabsorption, fat malabsorption, or celiac disease - can also be a cause.
If the symptoms worsen or do not improve, I would consider tests for the stool to evaluate for fat malabsortion or stool infection. Breath or blood tests can also be performed for lactate or carbohydrate malabsorption. Serum antibodies can be measured to evaluate for celiac disease. If you are also experiencing upper GI discomfort, initial evaluation with an upper GI series would evaluate for GERD or other causes of dyspepsia (i.e. ulcer).
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
