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What Causes Abdominal Cramps, Chills And Frequent Bowel Movements After Eating?
Question: I have been having cramps across the middle of stomach below my navel and chills with urgency with BM's after eating. My stools have been tapered or a more loose for the past 1 1/2 months. I have had more frequent BM's also for past 1 1/2 months (sometimes 4-5/day). When my food is digesting after eating I feel discomfort as it works its way through my intestines.
Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy, blood work, and probiotic
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
It sounds like your main concern is frequent bowel movements, pain, and urgency especially with eating. Pain made worse by eating (postprandial pain) may indicate gastric ulcer, chronic pancreatitis, gallstones, abdominal ischemia (also called abdominal angina), or functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, or postprandial distress syndrome (postprandial fullness). However, lower abdominal pain can also suggest gynecological origin (e.g., ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disorder) or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (e.g., interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, urethral syndrome, or changes and dysfunction of the pelvic muscles). All of these are common at your age.
I would recommend:
-A colonoscopy: alternating or change is bowel habits without change in your diet is strongly related to colon cancer, especially at your age. A colonoscopy can also help diagnose diseases such as Crohn's, Celiacs, Ulcerative colitis, or Microscopic colitis.
-Complete routine screening blood work for infections, anemia, and inflammatory processes, as well as electrolytes, glucose, kidney function, thyroid function, liver function, pancreatic function, and vitamin deficiencies. Also test for H. Pylori bacteria.
-Urinalysis for infection and kidney disease
-Stool studies for infection and inflammatory bowel diseases
-Pelvic Ultrasound looking for masses or abnormalities
-Endoscopy looking for ulcers and masses, as well as inflammatory disease.
-If you are having fevers or bloody bowel movements, I would see a medical professional within a couple days.
Abdominal pain is never easy, and generally requires an extensive work up.
In the meantime, I would continue drinking plenty of water or gatorade to replenish your electrolytes. I would start a probiotic and multivitamin to help your normal gut fora. Some people benefit from bananas, rice, applesauce, toast (BRAT) diet despite its little evidence-based support. Coffee, alcohol, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, red meats, and heavily seasoned foods may exacerbate symptoms.
Colonoscopy, blood work, and probiotic
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
It sounds like your main concern is frequent bowel movements, pain, and urgency especially with eating. Pain made worse by eating (postprandial pain) may indicate gastric ulcer, chronic pancreatitis, gallstones, abdominal ischemia (also called abdominal angina), or functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, or postprandial distress syndrome (postprandial fullness). However, lower abdominal pain can also suggest gynecological origin (e.g., ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disorder) or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (e.g., interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, urethral syndrome, or changes and dysfunction of the pelvic muscles). All of these are common at your age.
I would recommend:
-A colonoscopy: alternating or change is bowel habits without change in your diet is strongly related to colon cancer, especially at your age. A colonoscopy can also help diagnose diseases such as Crohn's, Celiacs, Ulcerative colitis, or Microscopic colitis.
-Complete routine screening blood work for infections, anemia, and inflammatory processes, as well as electrolytes, glucose, kidney function, thyroid function, liver function, pancreatic function, and vitamin deficiencies. Also test for H. Pylori bacteria.
-Urinalysis for infection and kidney disease
-Stool studies for infection and inflammatory bowel diseases
-Pelvic Ultrasound looking for masses or abnormalities
-Endoscopy looking for ulcers and masses, as well as inflammatory disease.
-If you are having fevers or bloody bowel movements, I would see a medical professional within a couple days.
Abdominal pain is never easy, and generally requires an extensive work up.
In the meantime, I would continue drinking plenty of water or gatorade to replenish your electrolytes. I would start a probiotic and multivitamin to help your normal gut fora. Some people benefit from bananas, rice, applesauce, toast (BRAT) diet despite its little evidence-based support. Coffee, alcohol, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, red meats, and heavily seasoned foods may exacerbate symptoms.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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