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What Causes Abdominal Cramps After Meals?

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Posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Question: My daughter is 28 yo. 3 years ago she went on a vegan diet for health reasons. She has had a history of high cholesterol previously (familial; we are vegetarians), but that came back into normal range after her vegan diet. She stayed on that diet for a year, then went back to a vegetarian diet (lacto-ovo). Shortly after that, she began occasionally having severe abdominal cramps, especially after meals. She tolerated them and chalked them up to stress from grad school. Now, 2 years later, she is working and has some work-ups done, as the cramping has only gotten worse. She had a colonoscopy that was only able to go to the cecum and we were told she had a tortorous colon. They did another test where she swallowed a small camera "pill" and we were told that everything was okay but she was constipated. Her insurance changed and this doctor had her go have a pelvic US, which was normal. Again, her insurance changed, and she just got results that her abdominal US was normal for liver, bile ducts, spleen, aorta, and kidneys; pancreas was partially obscured by overlaying bowel gas. I would have bet my bottom dollar that she was having gallbladder issues due to her change in diet from the vegan back to vegetarian. This young lady is doubled over in pain SEVERAL TIMES WEEKLY! Has anyone seen anything like this or have any suggestions were to go from here? She is otherwise very healthy, very active. Thank you. XXX. XXXXXXX @ YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Constipation is the cause to her problems

Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,

I have gone through the medical history of your daughter and am sorry for the situation she is going through.

I understand she is having painful episodes. From what you are reporting it seems that she is having severe constipation problems. Ask her:
- how often does she have a bowel movement?
- what is the consistency?

When constipated, stool is staying longer inside bowels keeping up fermenting and more water is getting absorbed. This is associated with increased gas which cause distention of bowels. The distended bowels will put pressure on nearby nerves causing pain that sometimes gets unbearable.

So, the solution for your daughter is to avoid constipation:
- increase water intake
- take more fiber rich foods (prunes, figs, kiwi, etc)
- fiber supplements can help (containing psyllium or prunes fiber)
- take senna laxatives to stimulate intestinal peristaltic
- keep being active
- avoid boiled eggs or dairy products (limit ti taking twice a week only).

Hope it helped.
All the best and God bless.
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (13 hours later)
My daughter eats a very fiber rich diet: daily oatmeal, pineapple, salads, fresh veggies and salsa. No milk-- only soy milk. Her BMs are almost daily, usually soft and loose. She describes her pain as "all over, it feels like my stomach is ripping itself itself apart from the inside. Sometimes on the upper right, sometimes on the bottom left. Usually after meals, but also even on an empty stomach".

It's hard to believe this is constipation. She is doubled over in severe pain about 1-3 times per week, sessions lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Food intolerance test and following tests recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Ok then from what you are saying, it seems that she might have food intolerance. Intolerance test is advised to run to finally determine it.

Next, examination of stool for ova parasites and culture of feces for Candida is advised as further diagnostic step.

Let me know how it goes.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7300 Questions

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What Causes Abdominal Cramps After Meals?

Brief Answer: Constipation is the cause to her problems Detailed Answer: Hi my dear, I have gone through the medical history of your daughter and am sorry for the situation she is going through. I understand she is having painful episodes. From what you are reporting it seems that she is having severe constipation problems. Ask her: - how often does she have a bowel movement? - what is the consistency? When constipated, stool is staying longer inside bowels keeping up fermenting and more water is getting absorbed. This is associated with increased gas which cause distention of bowels. The distended bowels will put pressure on nearby nerves causing pain that sometimes gets unbearable. So, the solution for your daughter is to avoid constipation: - increase water intake - take more fiber rich foods (prunes, figs, kiwi, etc) - fiber supplements can help (containing psyllium or prunes fiber) - take senna laxatives to stimulate intestinal peristaltic - keep being active - avoid boiled eggs or dairy products (limit ti taking twice a week only). Hope it helped. All the best and God bless. Dr.Albana