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What Causes Intermittent Lower Abdominal Cramps And Severe Diarrhea While Treating Pneumonia?

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Posted on Sat, 10 Sep 2016
Question: I have pneumonia of left lobe, being treated with levaquin at home. No fever but sudden development of cramping in lower abdomen intermittent through sleep, severe diarrhea. No change in color, pale yellow
Continue to feel lousy with difficult cough which causes spurts more diarrhea. Called my doctor yesterday but missed his returned call now weekend. Concerned about twisted bowel or colon. Dehydration.
Drinking lots of fluids, loss of appetite. Any thoughts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
twisting would affect movement of stool causing obstruction

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is understandable to be concerned because of the pain and severe diarrhea but it is not likely due to twisting of the bowel.

Twisting or abnormal position of the bowel normally would prevent stool from passing along it properly. It is usually causes obstruction of the bowel with resulting blockage.
There would be decrease not increase in bowel movements.

Dehydration is a possible complication of diarrhea but once you continue to use fluids this would be prevented. It would be best to use oral rehydration fluids or sport drinks such as gatorade so that you get back both fluids and electrolytes.

No solid food till there is a 4 hour window with no symptoms. When this time period occurs start on small amounts of dry food (biscuits, toast, dry rice etc).

Probiotics also help to shorten the course of diarrhea , either on their own or with yogurts.

Peptobismol or lomitil can be used , these do not interact with levaquin

Infection (viral or bacterial) is the most common cause of abdominal pain and diarrhea and in most cases only last a few days but if severe or prolonged, you should see a doctor

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Intermittent Lower Abdominal Cramps And Severe Diarrhea While Treating Pneumonia?

Brief Answer: twisting would affect movement of stool causing obstruction Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is understandable to be concerned because of the pain and severe diarrhea but it is not likely due to twisting of the bowel. Twisting or abnormal position of the bowel normally would prevent stool from passing along it properly. It is usually causes obstruction of the bowel with resulting blockage. There would be decrease not increase in bowel movements. Dehydration is a possible complication of diarrhea but once you continue to use fluids this would be prevented. It would be best to use oral rehydration fluids or sport drinks such as gatorade so that you get back both fluids and electrolytes. No solid food till there is a 4 hour window with no symptoms. When this time period occurs start on small amounts of dry food (biscuits, toast, dry rice etc). Probiotics also help to shorten the course of diarrhea , either on their own or with yogurts. Peptobismol or lomitil can be used , these do not interact with levaquin Infection (viral or bacterial) is the most common cause of abdominal pain and diarrhea and in most cases only last a few days but if severe or prolonged, you should see a doctor I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other other questions