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Suggest Treatment For Bloating And Tightness In The Stomach

Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016

Question: Hi. At the end of dinner yesterday I suddenly felt extremely bloated and my stomach was tight. That night I had both nausea and expelled lots of gas. Early the next morning I had watery diarrhea. My second bowl movement at 9:00 AM was also watery diarrhea. I am staying home and I'm kind of weak and still nauseous. The bloating sounds like the description for giardiasis but I'm careful not to drink from streams. Monday morning we returned from a weekend in the XXXXXXX Mountains that included hiking both days. We ate our meals with 12 others since we were celebrating my friend's 70th birthday (communal cooking). I am a scientist at the University.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Only drink much water for now!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry for this diarrhea. I have reviewed your information fully and this is suggestive of a possible food intoxication or intolerance. I will not want to advise antibiotics for now. No agents to stop diarrhea either. However, continue to drink as much water. If this diarrhea goes on for more than 2days, only at that time will i recommend tinidazole or metronidazole for possible giardiasis.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (13 minutes later)

I'm not sure what food intoxication means, is it food poisoning? The symptoms came on immediately after dinner. I didn't eat anything suspicious for dinner. My husband ate the same thing and he's fine. It seems the gestation time for food poisoning can be 2 days. Are you suggesting the food poisoning came from food consumed over the previous weekend? How would you distinguish between food poisoning and giardiasis? I will do as you recommend, i.e., stop taking the pepto bismol and drink lots of liquids.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This depends on the cause!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There is food poisoning from toxins which would occur immediately after ingestion. If it were caused by a germ, then it generally takes at least 24hours before symptoms start. Seen how soon yours started, this is most likely caused by a toxin which was already present. If giardiasis is the cause, it would be large fowl smelling diarrhea and will not regress unless treated. So time, without any laboratory tests can answer this. We are just different and am not sure you both ate exactly the same portions and a such......

Not to over bore you with so much literature, stick to the recommended measures. Report your progress to me and we will adjust accordingly if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

You haven't bored me with too much information. I am a Professor in the Department of Physiology. I will let you know how I'm doing tomorrow. I slept most of the day and seem to be doing somewhat better. No need to reply today. By the way, diarrhea is not fowl smelling.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Keep me updated!

Detailed Answer:
HI,

Am very hopeful you are doing much better. Am glad your a a professor of physiology and can clearly relate to this.

I wish you a speedy recovery and back to work!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (13 hours later)

Dr. Ditah,

I'm back at work today, mostly better although still somewhat tired and not particularly hungry. I slept most of yesterday and then slept most of the following night. I guess my body needed the down time to heal. I am amazed at the speed of onset of my condition but still somewhat mystified as to it's source. Thank you for your advice.

Wishing you success and fulfillment in the days to come.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
happy for you, Kathy!

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Am glad and comforted to know you are doing better. I wish you well.

Am humbled by your kind words and wish you well in all you do as well.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar