Does Anxiety Cause Diarrhea And Chest Pain?

Posted on Fri, 28 Nov 2014

Question: Hi! I have been having chest pains that ive detailed in precious queations.

My concern today is diarrhea. Ive hadalmost liquid stools since July or so. Ive had maybe 10 normal bowel movements since then. So its definetly chronic. Ive mentioned this to my doctor and he doesnt seem concerned and has just chalked it up to anxiety. He also blames anxiety for the cheat pain but it just doesnt really make sense to me.. Any advice?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be inflammatory bowel syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking Health care magic forum.

I have gone through your query. As you have liquid stools for more than 3 months it is most likely an inflammatory bowel syndrome. A stool routine should be done initially. In case of any signs of infection it should be treated with antibiotics and probiotics.

A consultation with a gasteroenterologist and colonoscopy will be necessary to rule out inflammatory bowel disease. I usually treat my patients with such condition with mesalazine which is working good.

Your chest pain can be due to costochondritis or fibromyalgia. If there is pain while palpation or movement on only chest it is most likely costochondritis. For that I advise local anti inflammatory gels like Diclofenac. For severe pain I advise local injection of corticosteroids. If pain is present more than one location like chest and arms then it is most likely fibromyalgia. In such case NSAIDs and antidepressants like duloxetine or amitriptylline will be helpful.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (6 minutes later)

Sorry to add this question but could this have anything to do with my spleen? I do have discomfort in my spleen area especially when slouching. Is there a blood test to check for spleen problems? Thanks!!!

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Spleen can be assessed by Ultrasound.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for your follow up query.

As you having a chronic diarrhea and pain on side of spleen area,it is most likely from left side of colon.But you can rule out conditions like splenomegaly by ultrasound examination.Blood test like complete blood count is usually done if there is splenomegaly from physical examination and ultrasound, to find out the reason of it.
Hope this may help you.Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj