Follow-up on Asbestos Exposure

Hi Doc,

You may recall my previous postings in a separate thread, which appears to be closed now, thus my posting in this new thread...

Just a quick follow-up.  The good news is that 75% of my symptoms have cleared... Those being the burning airways, asthma, etc.  I still have some burning, and very light wheezing on some days.  But for the most part, feeling better in that regard.

Now the bad news.  For the last several months, I've been having lots of stomach cramps and diarrhea from time to time.  I attributed it to stress, and didn't give it much thought.  But lately the cramping has become worse.  Two weeks ago I noticed that I thought was bright red blood in my stool, but wasn't sure so didn't give it too much thought.  Then a few days ago I started having bloody mucous covered stool at every bowel movement.  It was bright red blood, so very hard to miss!  Saw my doc yesterday, and he did a blood test and stool sample.  Blood test came back today as normal, still awaiting the stool sample.  Depending on what the shows, a colonoscopy may be next. While performing the stool sample, couldn't believe how much blood is really present.  It's certainly got me concerned.

So, since you are familiar with the progression and history of my asbestos exposure (or mold exposure, or whatever it was), I wanted to share this most recent development, and get your take on it.  

Do you think these two situations could be related?  Or do you think it's just coincidence?  Note, the burning airways began in November after some type of exposure, lasted for the better part of 2.5 months, and now about 3 months later this bloody stool issue presents itself.  Do you have any ideas?

I know these are tough questions to answer, but just wanted to gain any insight you might be able to provide.  Thanks again for your continued input.  Much appreciated.

-Wendig (previously Eilig until I had login issues)

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

You're correct. Difficult to comment on your questions and symptoms with certainty.

However, one explanation of your gastrointestinal symptoms could be that (as you mention) increased stress may have caused increased acid production in your stomach; increased acid production can cause crampy pain and reflux as well as diarrhea; then, frequent diarrhea can result in hemorrhoids; hemorrhoids may be the explanation for the blood in your stool.

Some more information regarding blood in your stool: Usually, bright red blood in your stool (clotted or not clotted) represents bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract (after the stomach). If bleeding is occurring in the stomach (for example, due to an ulcer), the blood takes on a coffee-ground or dark appearance.

So, your gastrointestinal symptoms may be temporally related to the exposure--meaning that the increased stress after the exposure could have resulted in the fact pattern that I described above. But, it is not likely that mold, dust, or asbestos (if there was this type of exposure) exposure is causally related to the gastrointestinal symptoms.

A typical diagnostic process for addressing bright red blood in a patient's stool involves an examination (rectal examination) and visualization of the distal colon and rectum (via an anoscope, sigmoidoscope, or colonoscope) to find the source of the bleeding. Also, a blood test to test for anemia (low blood count) is standard.

I hope this is helpful and you are welcome to continue the dialogue.


~*~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.