Question 1

I've been dealing with gallstones and came across a couple of alternative treatments extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy ESWL and methyl tertiary butyl ether MTBE. Are these actually effective compared to gallbladder surgery? I'm a bit worried about going under the knife and wanted to know if these options are safe or worth considering.

Accepted Answer

While extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) are sometimes considered for gallstones, gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is generally the preferred and most effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones. ESWL and MTBE have limited use and are often not recommended for long-term management due to the high likelihood of stone recurrence.

Question 2

I've been feeling some tightness in my mid to lower abdomen and I've noticed my acid reflux has been worse lately. Occasionally, I feel nauseous and I've had a cough that seems to be getting better now, but my bowel movements have been all over the place. What could be causing all this?

Accepted Answer

Your symptoms, including abdominal tightness, acid reflux, nausea, cough, and irregular bowel movements, suggest possible gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); consider consulting a gastroenterologist for a thorough evaluation, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, or imaging tests, to determine the underlying cause and develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include dietary changes, antacids, acid reducers, or medication to manage symptoms.

Question 3

I'm really worried because for the past 23 days I've been having severe problems. I'm experiencing a lot of pain in my anus whenever I'm having a bowel movement, and it feels like I constantly have to go to the bathroom. It's painful all the time and I don't know what to do or which doctor I should see about this. Could you please help me figure this out?

Accepted Answer

Severe anal pain and frequent urges to urinatebowel movements require prompt medical attention. Consider consulting:

Medical Specialists

1. Colorectal surgeon
2. Proctologist (anal and rectal disorders)
3. General surgeon
4. Gastroenterologist (digestive system)

Emergency Signs

1. Severe abdominal pain
2. Bloody stools
3. Fever above 101.5F (38.6C)
4. Difficulty passing stool
5. Persistent pain

Self-Care Measures

1. Hydration: Drink plenty of water
2. Soft diet: Avoid spicy, acidic or hard foods
3. Warm baths: Soothe anal area
4. Avoid straining during bowel movements

I'm dealing with a lot of hyper acidity, and I've noticed I occasionally get palpitations. All my tests like blood work, ECG, and Echo are normal, but these palpitations have me worried. Is it possible that my acid reflux is causing these palpitations?

Visit your Physician for evaluation and appropriate management

More Gastroenterology/GI medicine Health Queries

I've been feeling some tightness in my mid to lower abdomen and I've noticed my acid reflux has been worse lately. Occasionally, I feel nauseous and I've had a cough that seems to be getting better now, but my bowel movements have been all over the place. What could be causing all this?

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