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Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Cramps, Diarrhea And Blood In Stool
Question: Hi, I had foot surgery and took antibiotics for about 5 weeks total. I'm off them now but my bowel movements have changed and I have cramps, diarrhea with light blood, and it feels like I have to keep having a bowel movement even when I'm finished. The cramps are painful and the diarrhea has aggravated my hemorrhoids. The stool is very loose and clear with particles in it along with some blood.
Brief Answer:
To check for pseudomembranous colitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*what surgery did you have on your foot?
*what antibiotics did you take? Why did you need them for 5 weeks?
*did you take any pain killers or muscle relaxants with it? For how long?
*do you have any other medical issues or take any other medications?
*when did the bowel movements change? How long?
*how many times a day do you have a bowel movement?
*any other symptoms like fever, nausea vomiting?
*how is your urine? Quantity and colour?
Based on your symptoms, I would like to rule out colitis due to the bacteria clostridium difficile.
This occurs when the good normal bacterial colony in your intestine is altered by prolonged use of antibiotics.
This can so be contracted by contamination from an infected source.
I recommend:
-a physician consult and gastroenterologist opinion.
-stool culture and complete examination
-an ultrasound abdomen
-blood tests (pH, complete blood count, electrolyte levels, liver and kidney function tests)
You may need hospitalization to closely monitor the electrolyte levels, Hydration status and blood counts.
Intravenous antibiotics may also be necessary.
Please see a doctor right away or visit the ER. Things can go from bad to worse quickly, so make sure you see a doctor today to check it out.
Take all your previous medical records and medication history along.
In the mean time, have bland food. Take yogurt with active cultures (probiotics).
Hope you feel better soon. Please get back to with the above requested clarifications and any further queries you may have.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
To check for pseudomembranous colitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*what surgery did you have on your foot?
*what antibiotics did you take? Why did you need them for 5 weeks?
*did you take any pain killers or muscle relaxants with it? For how long?
*do you have any other medical issues or take any other medications?
*when did the bowel movements change? How long?
*how many times a day do you have a bowel movement?
*any other symptoms like fever, nausea vomiting?
*how is your urine? Quantity and colour?
Based on your symptoms, I would like to rule out colitis due to the bacteria clostridium difficile.
This occurs when the good normal bacterial colony in your intestine is altered by prolonged use of antibiotics.
This can so be contracted by contamination from an infected source.
I recommend:
-a physician consult and gastroenterologist opinion.
-stool culture and complete examination
-an ultrasound abdomen
-blood tests (pH, complete blood count, electrolyte levels, liver and kidney function tests)
You may need hospitalization to closely monitor the electrolyte levels, Hydration status and blood counts.
Intravenous antibiotics may also be necessary.
Please see a doctor right away or visit the ER. Things can go from bad to worse quickly, so make sure you see a doctor today to check it out.
Take all your previous medical records and medication history along.
In the mean time, have bland food. Take yogurt with active cultures (probiotics).
Hope you feel better soon. Please get back to with the above requested clarifications and any further queries you may have.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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