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Could Swollen Lymph Nodes Cause Constipation?
Question: My boyfriend has had constipation and abdomen pain for the past six months. He went to the doctor and they did blood tests and an X-ray and saw nothing. He went on a laxative to try and clear anything and it helped but he couldn't take it all the time because of work. He went back for a catscan last week and they said he organs and intestines are find but he has a few swolleb lymph nodes, probably due to indection. I want to know a. Could this lymph nodes be causing his constipation ? B. could it be lymphoma ? He has no night swears and hasn't lost any weight, he's actually gained. C. Why didn't they put him on an antibiotic? Is if likely it will clear on its own?
Brief Answer:
the diagnostic stage is too early for clear answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
I have read your query
I will try to explain the things as I see them
The fact that he has lymphnodes could definitely suggest both, an infection as well as malignant condition like lymphoma. However this can only be decided on the basis of either a lymphnode biopsy, or an evidence elsewhere in the body of the infection or malignancy. You said his blood works were fine, so I would consider infection as a more possible cause.
However the infections may be many. They could include simple infections to more serious infection like TB. The antibiotic needed would vary considerably. I would therefore suggest a more extensive work up like Ct Chest and cultures before deciding what to do further. in the meantime, a peripheral smear and a bone marrow examination may be planned as well
The best idea would be to go for lymphnode biopsy (if accessible)
I hope that explains to you the situation
Please let me know if I can be of any further help
Dr Mittal
the diagnostic stage is too early for clear answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
I have read your query
I will try to explain the things as I see them
The fact that he has lymphnodes could definitely suggest both, an infection as well as malignant condition like lymphoma. However this can only be decided on the basis of either a lymphnode biopsy, or an evidence elsewhere in the body of the infection or malignancy. You said his blood works were fine, so I would consider infection as a more possible cause.
However the infections may be many. They could include simple infections to more serious infection like TB. The antibiotic needed would vary considerably. I would therefore suggest a more extensive work up like Ct Chest and cultures before deciding what to do further. in the meantime, a peripheral smear and a bone marrow examination may be planned as well
The best idea would be to go for lymphnode biopsy (if accessible)
I hope that explains to you the situation
Please let me know if I can be of any further help
Dr Mittal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
could these lymph nodes have been causing his constipation from the beginning? and if he has no other symptoms of lymphoma, could it be that? Also, that first thing they did was blood work to rule any of those things out first and it came back totally normal and the xray showed nothing.
Brief Answer:
Large one can cause it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
As I said before the exact diagnosis cannot be made without a biopsy report of the
lymph node. Any comments without the report will be plain speculations.
As for the lymph nodes causing constipation, that is not an impossible phenomenon. However the nodes will have to be really big.
Please feel free to ask a further related query.
best of luck
Dr Mittal
Large one can cause it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
As I said before the exact diagnosis cannot be made without a biopsy report of the
lymph node. Any comments without the report will be plain speculations.
As for the lymph nodes causing constipation, that is not an impossible phenomenon. However the nodes will have to be really big.
Please feel free to ask a further related query.
best of luck
Dr Mittal
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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