Could This Be Bowel / Stomach Cancer
Hi all
In about December my stomach started playing up, i had one day of diarrhoea that did go quickly. Anyways since then all day every day my stomach has been making loud and i mean loud gurgling / rumbling noises. Everyone around me can hear them and its worse after i have eaten but they are there all the time.
Before Christmas i did go and see a GP she was very dismissive and although she did a physical check of my stomach bascially sent me on my way and made me feel like i had waisted her time.
So on to today..the noises are still there louder than ever and show no sign of going away. I am going to make an appointment with my GP but waiting times are about a week, I am 41 year old male by the way.
Could this be a sign i have bowel / Stomach Cancer? Dr google is freaking me out and i am conviced i now have that.
Thanks for any input
Hello Chris and welcome to Cancer Chat!
Im sorry you are feeling poorly and dismissed by the GP you saw before Christmas. Have you managed to book an appointment with your GP after that?
Looking up things on Dr Google is something we all do from time to time, but at least in my experience the more we do the more we worry so try to refrain from doing so if you can.
As for the question you ask, if you feel like speaking to someone on the phone you can give our cancer nurses a call, they are available Monday Friday between 9a.m 5p.m on 0808 800 4040, this phone number is free of charge from a UK landline.
Best wishes,
Stomach Rumbling And Food Intolerance
Rumbling noises are completely natural and usually nothing to worry about. Therefore there is no need for the majority of people to cut food groups out of their diet. However, for some individuals, incomplete digestion of food can lead to excess gas in the intestine, which may be a contributing factor to borborygmi.
Often this may be due to incomplete digestion of carbohydrate-containing foods, including:
- Milk and other dairy products
- Gluten protein in wheat, barley and rye
- Certain fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes
- High-fibre whole grains
Avoiding foods that you have identified as triggering your symptoms before important work or social events may therefore help reduce embarrassment.
When To See A Doctor
Its a good idea to see your doctor if your stomach discomfort lasts for more than a few days.
Your physician might ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam or X-ray. In some cases, an endoscopy, a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your stomach with a tube and small camera, is done to find a cause.
A breath or stool test is typically given to diagnose an H. pylori infection.
You should seek immediate medical help if you experience burning stomach pain along with other serious symptoms, including:
- black, bloody, or tarry stools
- severe abdominal pain
Treatment options depend on whats causing your stomach to burn.
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Surgeon Response To Loud Stomach Growling After Gastric Bypass
Dottie,
The symptoms which you are describing are quite common in all people, even those who havent undergone bariatric surgery!
However, as you describe your symptoms as being quite severe and dating to the time of your procedure, they may be related to a partial small bowel obstruction.
This may cause fluids behind the partial obstruction to back up and then squirt through the area of partial obstruction creating the discomforting gurgling sounds that you describe.
One investigation which you could consider would be do undergo an abdominal/pelvic CT scan to look for dilated small intestinal segments. Alternatively, an upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopic study may identify an area of partial obstruction.
If an obstruction is identified, surgical repair may address your symptoms.
In the absence of a mechanical cause of your symptoms, you may find that certain foods exacerbate the problem and you may find some relief with avoidance of those foods.
Similarly, anti-gas medications such as Simethicone may be of some benefit to you.
John Rabkin,
DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the details provided. The above should never replace the advice of your local physicians as they have the ability to evaluate you in person.
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What Is Helicobacter Pylori
Helicobacter pylori are bacteria that specifically infect the gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation and irritation this bacteria causes can lead to conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and even gastric cancer. More than half of the worlds population is colonized by these bacteria. Fortunately, the management and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections are well-studied.
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Treatment For Stomach Ulcers
If you think you have a stomach ulcer, you should see a doctor, as they may prescribe treatment.
If you take NSAIDs, they will review this, and may recommend an alternative painkiller but you shouldnt stop taking any prescribed medication without talking to your doctor first.
You should get medical help urgently if you:
- feel a sharp pain in your tummy that gets worse
Other Causes: Stress Anxiety And Medication:
- Stress and Anxiety: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a frustrating condition that causes abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It currently has no known specific cause, but it is believed that there is a link between IBS, stress sensitivity, and the regulation of the stress response. Research shows that 50 to 90 percent of people with IBS also suffer from a psychiatric disorder like anxiety or depression.
- Medication: There are a variety of medications that can cause stomach pain after eating or digestive problems. NSAIDs, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, oral antibiotics, and birth control pills can cause GERD and reflux or irritate the lining of the stomach. Long-term use may cause gastritis, ulcers, bleeding, or perforation of the stomach.
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You May Have Fruit Sugar Malabsorption
Fruits are a healthy food option for many but not all. Some people may not digest or absorb fruit sugar or fructose well, especially the FODMAPs category of fruits, which means that they contain fruit sugars or fruit sugar alcohols that cannot be easily broken down. Avocados are a FODMAPs fruit.
If you suffer from fructose malabsorption, your digestive system cannot process fruit sugars well. So if you eat sweet fruits, it leads to bloating or stomach ache.5 Now, while avocados are quite low on sugar, they contain polyols or fruit sugar alcohols. These are not as harmful as fructose is for people with this condition but having a bit too much avocado might prove harmful.
If Your Abdominal Cramps Are Making Life Miserable Try To Talk To A Doctor
Treatments for the above issues can vary wildly. For instance, if you think the issue is that you have a hard time processing beans, which then leads to painful gas, over-the-counter medications like simethicone may help with the distension that causes your pain, Dr. Krishnareddy explains.
However, if youre experiencing cramps that are pretty severe, along with other symptoms that make you think you might have a chronic issue like IBS or IBD, its really important to try to consult with a doctorparticularly because taking over-the-counter medications wont treat the real issue at hand.
These medications can decrease the symptoms just enough that the person doesnt go to their doctor to get evaluated, Dr. Krishnareddy says. But its not actually the underlying problem.
Ultimately, if getting abdominal cramps after eating is affecting your life, its time to consult the professionals. If youre having symptoms that are occurring frequently enough to interfere with your ability to conduct your daily activities, you need to see a doctor, Dr. Chey confirms. This is especially true, he says, if youre having serious symptoms like vomiting , seeing blood in your stool , or inexplicably losing weight.
Trust your gut when it tells you somethings wrong. At the very least, your doctor should be able to ask you some questions that get you closer to figuring out whats going on.
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What Causes Stomach Pain After Eating
Last reviewed: Medically reviewed
All of Healthily’s articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our safety page, or read our editorial policy.
If your tummy hurts after eating, a simple bout of indigestion might be to blame. But there are also times when pain after eating can be a sign of something more serious.
Read on to learn about some of the common causes of stomach ache, abdominal pain or stomach cramps after eating, how to treat and manage the discomfort, and when to see a doctor.
These 4 Underlying Conditions Might Explain Why Your Stomach Hurts After You Eat
It’s not always just indigestion.
The last thing you expect after enjoying a great meal is stomach pain, but it can and does happen.
One of the most common reasons for this might be dyspepsia, which is basically just a fancy word for indigestion. Dyspepsia causes abdominal pain, bloating, and feelings of fullness after you eat, and its actually pretty common, says Scott Gabbard, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, about one in every four people get dyspepsia at some point.
While indigestion is typically fleeting, your stomach might also hurt after you eat because of an underlying condition.
This can be caused by a long list of things, says Ashkan Farhadi, M.D., a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center and director of MemorialCare Medical Groups Digestive Disease Project in Fountain Valley, Calif. Still, there are issues that are more commonly linked with post-meal stomach pain. Here are the biggies you should know about:
Find out what you MUST do the next time you go to the doctor:
IBS, an intestinal disorder that can cause pain in your stomach, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, can show up in a number of different ways, but it can definitely cause stomach pain after you eat, Farhadi says. If your stomach keeps hurting after you eat and youre struggling with constipation or diarrhea, its a good idea to check in with your doctor to get tested for IBS.
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Why Do I Feel Sick When I Eat Sugar
So, you’ve been sticking to your diet diligently for a month or two and decide to have a decadent ‘cheat’ dessert.
It could be a sundae or a slice of cake, but instead of a pleasant sugar rush, you start to feel queasy.
Nausea, sinus congestion, sluggishness, stomach cramping, gas, and bloating can all be the consequence of your momentary indulgence. So why can’t your body handle a little detour off your healthy diet?
There can be many potential causes of feeling sick after eating sugar – but here are the ones I see most.
When Should I Be Worried About Abdominal Bloating
See your healthcare provider if your bloated stomach:
- Gets progressively worse.
- Persists for more than a week.
- Is persistently painful.
- Comes with symptoms of illness, such as fever, vomiting or bleeding.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A bloated stomach is not a pleasant feeling. While its a common experience and usually temporary, you may become weary of the cycle. Spending a little focused attention on the problem to identify the cause can be well worthwhile. Try recording your symptoms and possible triggers in a journal. Note diet, hormonal and stress factors. When in doubt bring your notes to a specialist for professional guidance. The different factors that contribute to bloating can be complex and difficult to parse, but medical testing can help. As always, seek medical attention if your symptoms are persistent or severe.
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Eating For A Healthy Gut
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What Are Abdominal Muscle Spasms
In more serious cases, uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements, or spasms in the stomach are known by the NHS as dystonia.
Dystonia symptoms include10:
- Uncontrollable muscle cramps and spasms
- Parts of your body twisting into unusual positions such as your neck twisting or your feet turning inwards
- Shaking or tremors
- Uncontrolled blinking
Dystonia is not common, however, in rare cases it can lifelong condition that affects people in different ways. You can get help and advice about dystonia from your GP or the UKs Dystonia Society.
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Pain After Eating: Treatment You Can Try
Getting help from your doctor may be one of your best tools if you frequently experience an upset stomach after eating. They will likely perform a head-to-toe physical assessment and take a detailed history, noting aches and pains, possible causes, hereditary possibilities, things youve tried that have or have not worked, and lifestyle choices. There are also blood tests and imaging procedures your provider may want to perform.
Getting help from your doctor may be one of your best tools if you frequently experience an upset stomach after eating.
If youd like to try to manage some of your symptoms before you visit your provider, there are many causes of pain after eating that can be corrected by over-the-counter medications. These medications may help with gas, stomach acid neutralization, reduction in stomach acid production, improvement in bowel movement, and reduction of nausea. Pay attention to what you take and what does or doesnt work, as your doctor will want that information. It may be helpful to keep notes on your phone so you have the information handy at your appointment.
Treatments For Stomach Pain After Meals
Mild cases are usually treated at home without too much trouble. Doctors recommend putting yourself on a light diet, eating in frequent but small amounts for 24 to 36 hours until you can tolerate more substantial foods. Sports drinks, soups and broths, and juices are highly recommended.
More serious cases are treated with a range of therapies. Doctors look for structural or functional problems in the digestive tract itself to identify and treat the problem at its source. Various interventions may be employed in that case, such as:
- Intravenous drug infusion
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Tips To Prevent Stomach Pain After Eating
- Keep a food journal to identify what may irritate your stomach.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Adhere to a regular eating schedule every day.
- Avoid eating within two hours of bedtime.
- Take small bites of food.
- Eat slowly.
- Limit or avoid foods that are spicy, fried, and have high-fat content.
- Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks.
- Remain in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after eating.
When To Call Your Healthcare Provider
Some kinds of stomach pain need immediate attention. With others, you can call or visit your healthcare provider. It can be hard to know what you should do. Listen to your body and trust your instincts if you’re not sure.
If you have any of these symptoms along with stomach pain, call your healthcare provider within a day or two:
- Excessive vaginal bleeding or blood clots
- Vaginal bleeding that lasts for longer than usual
You should also call your healthcare provider if you have stomach pain while you are being treated for cancer.
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Heres How The Digestive System Works
Or how digestion should work when everything goes according to plan.
Your body employs multiple organs to turn the food you eat into energy. When everything is going well, you should barely notice this process, which is good because it can actually take a pretty long time. The Mayo Clinic estimates that it takes two to five days for a mouthful of food to go through all the various digestive processes and come out the other end looking unrecognizable.
First, though, this all starts with one bite. Between the chewing action of your mouth and the enzymes and lubrication from your saliva, you start to break down what youre eating, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains. Once the bite is small enough to swallow, your tongue pushes it to the back of your throat into your esophagus, which begins to contract automatically in a motion called peristalsis.
The first organ the newly chewed food encounters after this is the stomach. Muscles in your stomach walls churn the food and release acid and enzymes, slowly mixing the food into a paste called chyme. Your stomach gradually releases the chyme into the small intestine, which reduces it further by mixing it with enzymes from the pancreas and from bacteria, along with bile from the liver, all while pushing the chyme further through the digestive tract. The walls of the small intestine absorb the extracted nutrients and water, which move into your bloodstream.