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What Causes Blood In Stool?
Question: hello,
am 37,an alcoholic and smoker for 15 years. have had bouts of blood in stools and vomit about 5 years back.i ve cut back since then, but there is persistent diarrhea whenever i m not drinking. recently noticed discomfort around my tail bone. i know i should be worried and i am, so where should i start with this thing..what initial tests..and so on. thanks in advance.
am 37,an alcoholic and smoker for 15 years. have had bouts of blood in stools and vomit about 5 years back.i ve cut back since then, but there is persistent diarrhea whenever i m not drinking. recently noticed discomfort around my tail bone. i know i should be worried and i am, so where should i start with this thing..what initial tests..and so on. thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
Ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
I understand your concerns and yes, you are right to be worried. Based on your symptoms I would like primarily rule out gastric/duodenal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease.
I recommend -
- a consult with your physician and gastroenterologist
- blood tests (complete blood count, ESR, renal and liver function tests)
-CT scan of the abdomen to check out any structural abnormalities of the abdominal organs
-colonoscopy and endoscopy to check for internal lesions (ulcers for instance) in the intestine and stomach respectively. If any suspicious lesions are present, biopsy of the tissue may also be necessary.
The above tests will be individualized based on the clinical findings and a treatment plan will be initiated.
I suggest:
-quit smoking and alcohol (go cold turkey). If you have withdrawal symptoms which disrupts your routine life, your physician can help you with this.
-limit caffeine intake to 1 cup a day. Avoid sugary & carbonated drinks.
-avoid refined grains and processed foods. Include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
-certain foods exacerbate the symptoms. Maintain a food diary and write down anything and everything you consume. (common culprits are. Starchy food like potato, tapioca, beans, chickpeas, partially cooked lentils or meat and greens like spinach).
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Hope you feel better.
Regards
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
I understand your concerns and yes, you are right to be worried. Based on your symptoms I would like primarily rule out gastric/duodenal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease.
I recommend -
- a consult with your physician and gastroenterologist
- blood tests (complete blood count, ESR, renal and liver function tests)
-CT scan of the abdomen to check out any structural abnormalities of the abdominal organs
-colonoscopy and endoscopy to check for internal lesions (ulcers for instance) in the intestine and stomach respectively. If any suspicious lesions are present, biopsy of the tissue may also be necessary.
The above tests will be individualized based on the clinical findings and a treatment plan will be initiated.
I suggest:
-quit smoking and alcohol (go cold turkey). If you have withdrawal symptoms which disrupts your routine life, your physician can help you with this.
-limit caffeine intake to 1 cup a day. Avoid sugary & carbonated drinks.
-avoid refined grains and processed foods. Include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
-certain foods exacerbate the symptoms. Maintain a food diary and write down anything and everything you consume. (common culprits are. Starchy food like potato, tapioca, beans, chickpeas, partially cooked lentils or meat and greens like spinach).
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Hope you feel better.
Regards
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
madam,
thank you for your considered advice.
have uploaded some tests which i had got done before your reply,
request you to take a look and shed some light...
thank you.
thank you for your considered advice.
have uploaded some tests which i had got done before your reply,
request you to take a look and shed some light...
thank you.
Brief Answer:
Liver, intestinal disease to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up.
I've gone through your reports.
Based on these and your symptoms, a liver disease and /or intestinal inflammatory disease must be ruled out.
Liver enzymes slightly high, indicating mild liver cell damage. (could be due a multitude of reasons including alcoholism, medications, or intestinal, autoimmune diseases)
Cholesterol levels are fine.
Please visit a physician /gastroenterologist to pinpoint exact problem.
Hope you feel better.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Liver, intestinal disease to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up.
I've gone through your reports.
Based on these and your symptoms, a liver disease and /or intestinal inflammatory disease must be ruled out.
Liver enzymes slightly high, indicating mild liver cell damage. (could be due a multitude of reasons including alcoholism, medications, or intestinal, autoimmune diseases)
Cholesterol levels are fine.
Please visit a physician /gastroenterologist to pinpoint exact problem.
Hope you feel better.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
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