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What Causes Abdominal Pain And Cramps In An Elderly Person?
Question: Hi I am a 58 year old white male in good health taking meds zyloprim,wellbutrin,prinivil,metformin,zocor,and trazodone. After consuming a large amount of candy coated peanuts I experienced intense pain and cramping in my lower abdomen my lower abdomen also became very rigid,felt like I needed to pass gas but was unable to. I believed I was experiencing appendicitis. Pain eventually eased but since the incident I am experiencing lingering symptoms. Tenderness in lower abdomen, very uncomrfortable bloating of stomach area after all meals, worse with certain(spicy) foods it feels like I have a balloon inflated in my stomach and obvious distention of abdominal area which dissipates overnight but never goes away.
Brief Answer:
Following advice until you see your gastroenterologist...
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. Having tenderness in lower abdomen after all meals and worst with certain foods that have precipitated after eating candy coated peanuts are indicative for stomach problems like gastritis/ulcer.
Feeling distention of the abdominal area due to bloating is also referring to hyperacidity of the stomach which alters the intestinal mucosa.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) are also to consider and rule out by colonoscopy and abdominal ultrasound.
2. Until you get your next appointment with gastroenterologist, I advise as following to ease your current health problems:
- continue having frequent meals and small portions
- increase water intake
- avoid foods that can trigger your symptoms (e.g spicy/chilly/oily/fried/nuts/alcohol,etc.)
- take simethicone to relieve bloating
- apart antacids, you can try ranitidine at bedtime (can find it as OTC med)
- probiotics can also help restore the altered intestinal flora
- have your dinner at least 4 hours before going to bed
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
Following advice until you see your gastroenterologist...
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. Having tenderness in lower abdomen after all meals and worst with certain foods that have precipitated after eating candy coated peanuts are indicative for stomach problems like gastritis/ulcer.
Feeling distention of the abdominal area due to bloating is also referring to hyperacidity of the stomach which alters the intestinal mucosa.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) are also to consider and rule out by colonoscopy and abdominal ultrasound.
2. Until you get your next appointment with gastroenterologist, I advise as following to ease your current health problems:
- continue having frequent meals and small portions
- increase water intake
- avoid foods that can trigger your symptoms (e.g spicy/chilly/oily/fried/nuts/alcohol,etc.)
- take simethicone to relieve bloating
- apart antacids, you can try ranitidine at bedtime (can find it as OTC med)
- probiotics can also help restore the altered intestinal flora
- have your dinner at least 4 hours before going to bed
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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