Pain arising from the gallbladder or bile ducts usually appears below the right lower rib, 3-5 inches (7-12 cm) from the vertical mid-line. It may spread into the right lower or upper back, shoulder blade or shoulder. Other causes of right upper abdominal pain are liver, right kidney, ureter or adrenal gland, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, skin, muscles and ribs in affected area.
continue reading Gallbladder Pain and Other Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure enabling your doctor to see inside your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), using a flexible viewing tube – gastroscope. Gastroscope has a light and camera on the end and enables direct observing, viewing on the monitor and taking pictures or videos.
Upper endoscopy may be used to find a cause of unexplained excessive belching, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, anemia (due to bleeding), poor appetite or unintended weight loss. With an upper endoscopy a doctor can detect:
continue reading Upper Endoscopy (Gastroscopy) Procedure, Video, Pictures, Cost
In severe acute abdominal pain, plain X-ray of the abdomen is usually the first investigation. X-ray can show:
No preparation is needed for the investigation. There are no absolute contraindications, but, if possible, abdominal X-ray should be avoided in females until the end of reproduction period and pregnant women to prevent radiation exposure.
continue reading Diagnostic Imaging of the Abdomen: X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT, MRI
Chronic abdominal bloating and gas, diarrhea or unintentional weight loss (malabsorption syndrome) may result from reduced absorption of nutrients in the small intestine due to:
When you suspect dairy products cause chronic bloating and diarrhea you have, you may ask your gastroenterologist to perform hydrogen breath test. Test is described in food allergy and food intolerance tests.
Stool tests are done to find a cause of unexplained chronic or heavy acute diarrhea, anemia or weight loss. Tests may reveal intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, blood and various substances (fats, reducing substances) that speak for intestinal malabsorption.
1-2 weeks before the test, you should avoid antacids, anti-diarrheal and anti-parasite medications, antibiotics, enemas and laxatives (after discussion with your doctor). Your doctor can provide you a stool collection kit with instructions for its use. Emptying the bladder before having a bowel movement is recommended, so urine does not contaminate the stool. Stool for the test should be collected in a plastic bag put over the toilet, or from a diaper, stored in a clean sealable container and taken to the laboratory within 1 hour or according to doctor’s instructions. In the lab, only stool tests, specifically ordered by the doctor, and not all possible tests, will be done. Beside specific tests, the stool will be checked for color, consistency, weight (volume), shape, odor, and the presence of mucus.
continue reading Stool Analysis and Blood Work Results in Gastrointestinal Disorders
