NetWellness Digestive Disorders

Chronic Constipation

D Ferguson MD — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:11:00 EST

Question: I am a female, age 24, facing chronic constipation for ages. Since my childhood I have this problem. I eat healthy. My diet includes a good amount of fruits and vegetables, plus I drink loads of water as well. Now the constipation has accompanied with piles which is very pai . . .

Answer: There are some conditions that can cause constipation that require an evaluation to diagnose e.g. "Hirsch sprung's Syndrome", primary colonic dysmotility. Fortunately, most constipation can be found related to events in earlier life. In any case, at age 24 there is an excellent chance for help. If n . . .

Ask an Expert: D Ferguson MD, Digestive Disorders

Enlarged Spleen

James Heubi MD — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:11:00 EST

Question: My 14 year old son has an enlarged spleen due to his liver disease. He would love to play basketball. Through research I find he can play with a spleen protector. My question is how and/or where do I get a spleen protector to enable him to play? Thank you

Answer: Although some physicians recommend spleen guards for children/adolescents playing contact sports, there is little evidence that they are effective in reducing the risk of trauma and injury to the spleen. With that said, the need for restriction in participation in conntact sports depends upon how la . . .

Ask an Expert: James Heubi MD, Digestive Disorders

Stomach Nodules

Annette Kyprianou MD — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:10:00 EST

Question: Are stomach nodules common? I recently had endoscopy and was told that they had to do biopsies of several nodules that were found in my stomach. Is there an increased correlation between taking PPI`s for long periods and stomach nodules? Correlation with diet?

Answer: Stomach nodules are common in those taking PPIs. Biopsies are usually taken to ensure they are benign but if in a certain pattern, no biopsies are done. Not related to diet.

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

Frequent Abdominal Pain

James Heubi MD — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:10:00 EST

Question:

First off, I am asking this question because I am having second thoughts about a negative celiac test done @ 20 mo old on my child who is now 6 years old.(two of the blood draws needed to be redone the following week but they said the Celiac was OK??). It was originally done due to chronic diarrh . . .

Answer:

This is not a straight forward problem. I can respond to the question regarding celiac disease with the comment that none of the blood screening tests for celiac disease are totally reliable before the age of 2 years. If symptoms persist, it would make some sense to repeat them when the child is . . .

Ask an Expert: James Heubi MD, Digestive Disorders

Chronic Pain After Bowel Surgery

Salim Hayek MD, PhD — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:09:00 EST

Question:

My daughter had her large bowell removed and is in constant pain. A scan showed she does not have a hernia. Pain relief is not really effective. She had the operation three years ago and has suffered ever since. Can anyone help?

Answer: Your daughter has chronic pain. If her gastroenterology doctors have not found a cause for her pain, she may benefit from seeing a chronic pain specialist.

Ask an Expert: Salim Hayek MD, PhD, Digestive Disorders

Liver Cysts

Julia Thornton MD — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST

Question: I was diagnosed with hepatic cyst. What does that mean?

Answer: Many people find out they have cysts in the liver when they have ultrasounds or CT scans done for other reasons. If the cysts are small and not changing in size and not causing symptoms, usually there is no problem with them.

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Digestive Disorders

Pressure in Abdomen

D Ferguson MD — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST

Question: After eating I have pressure in my abdomen on the right side just below the rib cage. It feels like something is pushing from the inside. When pushed on it feels rigid but goes away after about an hour but I still feel that that spot feels a little rigid and when pushed on can feel something in that . . .

Answer: It is hard to say what this is without examining you. It could be as simple as slowed stomach emptying, dilation of a loop of the colon, or bowel to gallbladder detention. If it's bothering you, I would advise a visit to your doctor for an exam.

Ask an Expert: D Ferguson MD, Digestive Disorders

Correlation Between Eating and Evacuating

Annette Kyprianou MD — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:09:00 EST

Question: I have not seen this question anywhere. After eating, within 30 minutes, I must evacuate stool. What is correclation between eating and feeling the need to evacuate? This is embarrassing if we are eating out. Is there something about the sphincter muscle involved? What triggers the colon to start ev . . .

Answer: That is a form of irritable bowel. There is a gastro (stomach)- colic (colon) communication which when food hits the stomach tells the colon to start contracting. You just have a strong reflex. No meds for that. Imodium may help when eating out. Anal fissures which do not heal usually need surgery.

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

Long-term Use of PPIs

Annette Kyprianou MD — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 05:09:00 EST

Question: I have bloating, tightness of Abdomen / Stomech, Nausea, Belches, Heart - Burn, etc. after meals. I have also little (Loose - Type) motion after every meal. Please advice medicines / treatments. Also whether the Proton Pump Inhibitors like Panataprazole, Rabeprazole and Esompraozole can be taken for . . .

Answer: I cannot advise on treatments, medicines without knowing what work-up you have had done. It sounds like an irritable bowel syndrome in which case an antispasmodic for the bowels may help (i.e. Levsin, Bentyl) but I cannot say for sure. It is safe to take the medications you mentioned long-term. Ther . . .

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

Crohn`s Perianal Fistula

Annette Kyprianou MD — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:08:00 EST

Question: I have a 31-year history of Crohn`s disease with two small bowel resections in 1986 and 1996. I am not on any medications for it. In 2007 I developed a perianal fistula which has been confirmed as coming from the Crohn`s. The one opening is through the skin. I tried Remicade and it did not close it. . . .

Answer: I am not exactly sure if 10 cm is long, but it sounds like it is quite significant. Remicade is the treatment of choice now for Crohn's fistulas but can sometimes take months to year to heal. Setons come in various lengths and is also an option but also a very long process. Doing nothing may result . . .

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders