Question 1

I've been having this pain on the right side of my abdomen for about a week. At first, I thought it might just be gas pains and noticed I've been a bit constipated, so I took some stool softeners. But now, my stool has turned a light clay color. I read somewhere that this could be linked to gallstones. I tried to find out if the stool color change might be due to the stool softeners, but I couldn't find much information. Should I be worried and see a doctor right away, or should I wait to see if it continues?

Accepted Answer

Light clay-colored stool can indicate several possibilities:

Common Causes

1. Stool softeners (as you suspected)
2. Malabsorption (e.g., lactose intolerance, celiac disease)
3. Bile duct obstruction (unlikely with stool softeners)
4. Gastrointestinal infections (e.g., giardiasis)
5. Medication side effects (e.g., antibiotics, antacids)

When to Seek Medical Attention

1. Persistent or worsening abdominal pain
2. Diarrhea or vomiting
3. Blood in stool or vomit
4. Fever above 101.5F (38.6C)
5. Significant weight loss
   6. Persistent clay-colored stool beyond 2 weeks  SELF CARE                                            
1. Continue stool softeners only if prescribed.
2. Monitor stool color, consistency, and frequency.
3. Maintain a balanced diet.
4. Stay hydrated.

Question 2

I've been struggling with high bilirubin levels for a couple of years now, and I'm feeling quite worried. The doctors checked for gallstones with an ultrasound and didn't find any. They said I need to follow a good diet, but my bilirubin levels went from 1.8 to 2.2 and haven't improved. What could be causing this, and what kind of treatment should I consider? Could it be something other than diet? I have my lab reports if that helps.

Accepted Answer

High bilirubin levels can be concerning, especially if they have been persisting for 2 years despite following a good diet and ruling out gallstones in the bladder. One possible treatment option to help lower bilirubin levels is to use Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). UDCA can help improve bile flow and reduce the amount of bilirubin in the blood. It is important to follow up with your doctor regularly to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments.

Question 3

I'm on medication for stomach tuberculosis and it's been nine months so far. I've heard that for stomach TB, you need to take the meds for at least a year to avoid the risk of MDR. Is that actually true?

Accepted Answer

yes it is true , you need to follow the complete course of tuberculosis

I'm experiencing a tight feeling in my stomach and a lot of gas. I don't really want to eat or drink water, and I'm feeling pretty weak because of it. Could you recommend any tablets for better bowel movements? I'm not sure what to do.

Patient is advised tab ciplox tz orally ,twice daily for 5 days, tab pantocid dsr orally ,once daily ,before food for 5 days, ors one sachet daily for 2 days atleast is advised to the patient.

More Gastroenterology/GI medicine Health Queries

I'm on medication for stomach tuberculosis and it's been nine months so far. I've heard that for stomach TB, you need to take the meds for at least a year to avoid the risk of MDR. Is that actually true?

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