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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Abdominal Bloating, Chronic Fatigue And Increased Hair Loss
Question: Hi, I am a fit, active 39 year old female and am experiencing on-going (3months +) symptoms that include persistent abdominal bloating/distended abdomen (without change in diet, no significant change in weight, no change in bowel movements), chronic fatigue, increased hair loss, frequent headaches with occasional dizziness, sometimes seeing spots or 'floaters', joint pain that comes on sudden, sharp, and very intense mostly in my elbows, wrists, knees. I am a fairly healthy person with no history of serious or chronic illness, and I am unsure of what kind of doc to see or what kind of testing to consider.
Brief Answer:
General physician can help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
I can appreciate that you are very concerned regarding the symptoms which you have noticed recently.
Bloating, fatigue, headaches, dizziness with hair loss etc are the symptoms which can be due to a metabolic disorder like diabetes , irritable bowel syndrome or any kind of inflammatory bowel disorder. There is a possibility that your nutrition is not healthy.
There is a strong possibility of these symptoms being due to anxiety neurosis. For ruling them out you need to consult a psychiatrist. Symptoms of anxiety neurosis include sweating, headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc.
Another possibility is of a benign type of viral syndrome. I would advise that you support your body with good hydration, adequate sleep, a well-balanced diet and a moderate exercise regimen. Exercise is actually good for the immune system which is why I suggest it here. In addition you can supplement your diet with some Vitamin C - 1000 mg daily and consider drinking some immune boost type of tea such as Echinacea which is readily available at most supermarkets.
You can consult a general physician for a detailed evaluation. He can order a few test for electrolyte imbalance, vitamin D3 levels and vitamin B 12 levels.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
General physician can help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
I can appreciate that you are very concerned regarding the symptoms which you have noticed recently.
Bloating, fatigue, headaches, dizziness with hair loss etc are the symptoms which can be due to a metabolic disorder like diabetes , irritable bowel syndrome or any kind of inflammatory bowel disorder. There is a possibility that your nutrition is not healthy.
There is a strong possibility of these symptoms being due to anxiety neurosis. For ruling them out you need to consult a psychiatrist. Symptoms of anxiety neurosis include sweating, headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc.
Another possibility is of a benign type of viral syndrome. I would advise that you support your body with good hydration, adequate sleep, a well-balanced diet and a moderate exercise regimen. Exercise is actually good for the immune system which is why I suggest it here. In addition you can supplement your diet with some Vitamin C - 1000 mg daily and consider drinking some immune boost type of tea such as Echinacea which is readily available at most supermarkets.
You can consult a general physician for a detailed evaluation. He can order a few test for electrolyte imbalance, vitamin D3 levels and vitamin B 12 levels.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for your response. However, there were a couple of things you mentioned as possible causes for my symptoms that would not be possible given the information I already provided. Such as....
1. The mention of IBS and / or poor nutrition. As I stated in my original message, I am fit, active, and eat a healthy diet as well as taking vitamins and supplements as appropriate. and I have had no change in bowel activity, color, or frequency.
2. The mention of anxiety or psychiatric disorder. I do not have nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, or sweating. I have not had a significant change in appetite. I do not feel abnormally stressed, anxious, or depressed.
3. A viral syndrome. "support your body with good hydration, adequate sleep, a well-balanced diet and a moderate exercise regimen. Exercise is actually good for the immune system". As I stated in my original message, I have been experiencing increasing symptoms for months which is not indicative of a virus.
I exercise on a regular basis, I eat healthy. I am a healthy weight, fit & active. I experience chronic fatigue even when getting proper hydration and adequate hours sleep.
In addition to the above, I take a multi-vitamin plus vit D and a B vitamin complex. I have been taking live probiotics for about 2 months with no change.
I do not feel enough attention was placed on the details included in my original message as many of the things in your response would have been ruled out by the information I was providing.
I am hoping that more attention will now be placed on both my original list of symptoms, and all the information I included in the first message as well as this one. I look forward to receiving a response that would be helpful in determining what types of disorders or disease could cause my combination of symptoms, and what tests or screenings I should request from my local doctor.
Thank you
1. The mention of IBS and / or poor nutrition. As I stated in my original message, I am fit, active, and eat a healthy diet as well as taking vitamins and supplements as appropriate. and I have had no change in bowel activity, color, or frequency.
2. The mention of anxiety or psychiatric disorder. I do not have nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, or sweating. I have not had a significant change in appetite. I do not feel abnormally stressed, anxious, or depressed.
3. A viral syndrome. "support your body with good hydration, adequate sleep, a well-balanced diet and a moderate exercise regimen. Exercise is actually good for the immune system". As I stated in my original message, I have been experiencing increasing symptoms for months which is not indicative of a virus.
I exercise on a regular basis, I eat healthy. I am a healthy weight, fit & active. I experience chronic fatigue even when getting proper hydration and adequate hours sleep.
In addition to the above, I take a multi-vitamin plus vit D and a B vitamin complex. I have been taking live probiotics for about 2 months with no change.
I do not feel enough attention was placed on the details included in my original message as many of the things in your response would have been ruled out by the information I was providing.
I am hoping that more attention will now be placed on both my original list of symptoms, and all the information I included in the first message as well as this one. I look forward to receiving a response that would be helpful in determining what types of disorders or disease could cause my combination of symptoms, and what tests or screenings I should request from my local doctor.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
1. Abdominal bloating can be caused by IBS if there is no change in diet. It is one of the less probable diagnosis.
2. Anxiety is associated with excessive swallowing of air causing bloating. I mentioned about the other symptoms just to co relate in case you have any such problems.
3. Chronic fatigue can happen in chronic viral infections that can extend for weeks.
Regarding multivitamin supplements I feel it is best to get the levels evaluated instead of taking non specific supplements.
The symptoms that you have mentioned can be due to decreased levels of calcium or magnesium, Vitamin D3 deficiency, thyroid hormone imbalance, anemia, etc. This needs a detailed evaluation after a clinical examination as your symptoms are long standing. An evaluation by a general physician is recommended. After few basic tests he can then refer you to a specialist according to the findings.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
1. Abdominal bloating can be caused by IBS if there is no change in diet. It is one of the less probable diagnosis.
2. Anxiety is associated with excessive swallowing of air causing bloating. I mentioned about the other symptoms just to co relate in case you have any such problems.
3. Chronic fatigue can happen in chronic viral infections that can extend for weeks.
Regarding multivitamin supplements I feel it is best to get the levels evaluated instead of taking non specific supplements.
The symptoms that you have mentioned can be due to decreased levels of calcium or magnesium, Vitamin D3 deficiency, thyroid hormone imbalance, anemia, etc. This needs a detailed evaluation after a clinical examination as your symptoms are long standing. An evaluation by a general physician is recommended. After few basic tests he can then refer you to a specialist according to the findings.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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