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What Causes Fluttering In Lower Right Abdominal Area?
Question: I am a 58 year old, healthy male. 5' 11" and 198 lbs. My Bp runs 128/80. I exercise regularly (walking and tennis). My last physical exam / blood work was 10 months ago.
For the past month I have been experiencing a localized, repeated "fluttering" in my lower right abdominal area (about 4 inches below my belt line). No pain associated with this symptom. It is consistent, occurring in the same place for similar duration 3-30 seconds. It is spontaneous and occurs about 35- 40 times per day. Spoke with my MD and he was not concerned about it. I am wondering what it could be (never has anything like this before) and what kind of specialist I should see to check on it. Thanks!
For the past month I have been experiencing a localized, repeated "fluttering" in my lower right abdominal area (about 4 inches below my belt line). No pain associated with this symptom. It is consistent, occurring in the same place for similar duration 3-30 seconds. It is spontaneous and occurs about 35- 40 times per day. Spoke with my MD and he was not concerned about it. I am wondering what it could be (never has anything like this before) and what kind of specialist I should see to check on it. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Inguinal hernia is the most probable reason of fluttering in this area.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Fluttering like feeling is usually caused by gas passage through the intestines. In normal conditions intestines are hidden inside the abdominal cavity so we are unable to feel the gas moving through it. Only if the intestine is touching the abdominal wall we can feel the gas.
Lower right abdomen is where there are conditions for intestine to get out from abdominal cavity. We call it a hernia.
So answering your question, most probable reason of such strange fluttering in the lower right abdomen is inguinal hernia. With hernia sometimes the lump can be present in the mentioned area. Please perform simple test. Put your hand on the area where you find fluttering and try to cough couple of times when standing. You should be able to palpate protruding lump (however lack of it does not rule the hernia out).
I suggest you to consult general surgeon at first. Physical examination should be performed. In case of any doubts, ultrasound should be done.
If no hernia will be found, your next possibility is some problem in large intestine. That is why the second test should be colonoscopy.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Inguinal hernia is the most probable reason of fluttering in this area.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Fluttering like feeling is usually caused by gas passage through the intestines. In normal conditions intestines are hidden inside the abdominal cavity so we are unable to feel the gas moving through it. Only if the intestine is touching the abdominal wall we can feel the gas.
Lower right abdomen is where there are conditions for intestine to get out from abdominal cavity. We call it a hernia.
So answering your question, most probable reason of such strange fluttering in the lower right abdomen is inguinal hernia. With hernia sometimes the lump can be present in the mentioned area. Please perform simple test. Put your hand on the area where you find fluttering and try to cough couple of times when standing. You should be able to palpate protruding lump (however lack of it does not rule the hernia out).
I suggest you to consult general surgeon at first. Physical examination should be performed. In case of any doubts, ultrasound should be done.
If no hernia will be found, your next possibility is some problem in large intestine. That is why the second test should be colonoscopy.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Doctor, thank you for your response. I checked for the hernia and did not find anything (my physician checked as well). The quality of the "fluttering" is very consistent... the exact same sensation, in the exact same place, every time. I would describe it, almost like "fluid turbulence"... like when fluid is flowing through a constriction and causing vibration (like putting your thumb over the end of a hose with the water flowing, you feel that vibration). It does not feel like "gas" movement to me.
I am due to have a colonoscopy.
Any other thoughts on this?
I am due to have a colonoscopy.
Any other thoughts on this?
Brief Answer:
Please have an ultrasound of this area to make sure there is no hernia.
Detailed Answer:
I suggest you to have an ultrasound of this area to make sure there is no hernia. Please note that hernia palpation is very hard task for regular doctor and for inexperienced person.
It might be a feeling of fluid turbulence as well. Intestine is still the most probable source.
Colonoscopy is a good choice for sure.
Regards.
Please have an ultrasound of this area to make sure there is no hernia.
Detailed Answer:
I suggest you to have an ultrasound of this area to make sure there is no hernia. Please note that hernia palpation is very hard task for regular doctor and for inexperienced person.
It might be a feeling of fluid turbulence as well. Intestine is still the most probable source.
Colonoscopy is a good choice for sure.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I will be sure to get the ultrasound to check for the hernia , as well as, the colonoscopy.
Is there anything else in your differential diagnosis that should be considered...even though it may be a very low probability? (that you would consider if the ultrasound and colonoscopy are normal)
Again, I thank you for your expertise!
Is there anything else in your differential diagnosis that should be considered...even though it may be a very low probability? (that you would consider if the ultrasound and colonoscopy are normal)
Again, I thank you for your expertise!
Brief Answer:
Small intestine might need to be checked with abdominal CT as well.
Detailed Answer:
There is also a possibility of some small intestine issues like narrowing due to some adhesions or inflammation (however this usually gives pain as well), abdominal CT with oral contrast (enteroclysis) might be also needed. But this is much less probable.
Regards.
Small intestine might need to be checked with abdominal CT as well.
Detailed Answer:
There is also a possibility of some small intestine issues like narrowing due to some adhesions or inflammation (however this usually gives pain as well), abdominal CT with oral contrast (enteroclysis) might be also needed. But this is much less probable.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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