Brief Answer: Hi Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX It is very normal to gain weight after quitting smoking. People usually gain 5 kg or more after quitting. You gained weight over stomach because you may be having genetic predisposition to it. Since all of the reports are coming back normal, there has to be another cause that cannot be explained on usual tests. Ultrasound coming back normal means that there is no anatomical cause for pain in abdomen. It is very reassuring. Other tests are reassuring as well. When I was reading your query, one thing that was coming to my mind was chemical imbalance. Smoke releases a few chemicals that have certain type of impact on the human physiology. One of the chemicals that is released during smoking is called a nitric oxide, a vasodilator. It dilates blood vessels. Thus after stopping smoke, its levels decrease and may cause vasoconstriction that may last for sometime (until the body makes its own nitric oxide). This chemical also affects stomach and intestines. Mostly I am thinking of compromised blood flow to intestines. But it may be mild to affect the function of gut and may be enough to cause pain in stomach. It can also be due to withdrawal of nicotine (a constituent of smoke). Regarding shortness of breath, it may be due to direct effect of smoke. It may also be other causes. May need a pulmonary function test for it. Both the above conditions may also be because of altered normal flora. The flora may have gotten altered because of some medication like antibiotics or antibiotic like effect of chemicals in smoke. That is why smoking is considered injurious to health. Stomach fat can cause pain in back in the presence of degenerative disc or demineralized bones. Now I will suggest some lifestyle measures that may help you in the long run: - Exercise at least 20 min a day. Exercise can include gym , walk, yoga, swimming, cycling, etc. Do not go empty stomach, rather take a small snack before exercise. Back exercises will help to reduce degenerative bone disease. - Take calcium supplements for degenerative bone disease - Consume pure water to avoid any stomach infections (as the altered normal flora predisposes to recurrent infections). It should also help with stomach pain. - Check with your doctor if some tests can be done to check blood flow to intestines. - Avoid raw food. Take more of liquid and easily digestible food. I think if the symptoms are after-effects of smoking, then they should go away in some time. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards Dr Vaishalee

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Brief Answer: Hi again Detailed Answer: Hi again Yes, most of the things that you have mentioned are true. Going the better route is the option to go. Probiotics do work for some time. The above mentioned lifestyle options should give relief. Smoking again is NOT good. It will make things worst in the long run. Increased abdominal girth can cause difficulty breathing just because of pressure effects. Regards Dr Vaishalee

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Brief Answer: Thanks Detailed Answer: Thanks for consulting me Take care Dr Vaishalee

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