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Do Vomits And Frequent Diarrhea Suggest Colon Cancer?
Question: Hi, I had one vomit episode, some watery diarrhea 2 times over the past 4 weeks (lasted one day only), and some lose stools in between, mixed in with days of normal stools. A little abdominal discomfort, but not bad, and no pain. Maybe extra gas. I am a hypochondriac so already self-diagnosed with colon cancer or similar. The 2 initial episodes possible triggered by excess drinking, but the drinking is somewhat routine (bad I know) and not happened before. I'm 50 almost.
probably unrelated but a few weeks before this started I had oysters and vomited same night. Felt fine after that until a few weeks when vomit/diarrhea started
probably unrelated but a few weeks before this started I had oysters and vomited same night. Felt fine after that until a few weeks when vomit/diarrhea started
Brief Answer:
This is not a typical way for colon cancer to present.
Detailed Answer:
There are a number of things that can cause the symptoms you are having. Most likely this is a gastroenteritis, most likely viral, but that said, I think you should go in to be evaluated by your primary doctor in person. My reason for saying that you should be seen is the duration of your symptoms. The generally recommended time for doing a work up for diarrhea (providing it isn't severe) is when it has persisted for 3 weeks.
Causes for your symptoms that are at the top of my list are:
viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu")
bacterial gastroenteritis (less likely but possible if you ate something contaminated)
gluten intolerance or a food sensitivity (this could keep the symptoms going and cause gas)
given the history of alcohol use, possibly mild pancreatitis (less likely)
irritable bowel syndrome
inflammatory bowel
I don't think the oyster episode is related as there were several weeks in between.
Colon cancer often doesn't have any symptoms at all (and that is the reason for routine preventive colonoscopy) but when it does present with symptoms, it doesn't have the pattern that you are describing (initial symptom of vomiting). But at age 50 it might be a good time to go in for your preventive screening anyway.
I hope this information helps. If you need further information or clarification please let me know.
This is not a typical way for colon cancer to present.
Detailed Answer:
There are a number of things that can cause the symptoms you are having. Most likely this is a gastroenteritis, most likely viral, but that said, I think you should go in to be evaluated by your primary doctor in person. My reason for saying that you should be seen is the duration of your symptoms. The generally recommended time for doing a work up for diarrhea (providing it isn't severe) is when it has persisted for 3 weeks.
Causes for your symptoms that are at the top of my list are:
viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu")
bacterial gastroenteritis (less likely but possible if you ate something contaminated)
gluten intolerance or a food sensitivity (this could keep the symptoms going and cause gas)
given the history of alcohol use, possibly mild pancreatitis (less likely)
irritable bowel syndrome
inflammatory bowel
I don't think the oyster episode is related as there were several weeks in between.
Colon cancer often doesn't have any symptoms at all (and that is the reason for routine preventive colonoscopy) but when it does present with symptoms, it doesn't have the pattern that you are describing (initial symptom of vomiting). But at age 50 it might be a good time to go in for your preventive screening anyway.
I hope this information helps. If you need further information or clarification please let me know.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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