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

The other night I got pretty drunk and ended up throwing up, but it was this weird black, like coffee ground color vomit. I actually felt okay when I woke up the next morning though. Is this something I should be worried about?

Accepted Answer

The black ground coffee color vomit you experienced could be due to the presence of blood in your vomit. This can be a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. I recommend you to take Pantoprazole 40mg once daily before breakfast for 2 weeks. If the symptom persists, please consult a doctor for further evaluation.

Question 3

I've been having back pain, acidity, and chest pain for two days whenever I eat spicy or dairy foods. This has been going on for two years and my doctor found gallbladder calculi, suggesting surgery. I'm really scared about the operation what should I do?

Accepted Answer

It's understandable to be scared about surgery, especially when dealing with ongoing symptoms like back pain, acidity, and chest pain. Here's a breakdown of what you can do to address your concerns and make informed decisions: Gallstones and their impact:
 Gallstones can cause pain when they block bile ducts, leading to the symptoms you're experiencing Why surgery is recommended:
 Your doctor likely recommends surgery because gallstones can cause recurring problems and complications if left untreated

I've been having this weird issue for the past two months where my stomach feels like it's beating, kind of like a heartbeat. It's freaking me out a little, and I'm not sure what's causing it. Could you help me understand what's going on and what I should do about it?

That could be gastritis,take antacids and consume bland diet and more water to ease your stomach and take adequate rest

More Gastroenterology/GI medicine Health Queries

The other night I got pretty drunk and ended up throwing up, but it was this weird black, like coffee ground color vomit. I actually felt okay when I woke up the next morning though. Is this something I should be worried about?

I've been having back pain, acidity, and chest pain for two days whenever I eat spicy or dairy foods. This has been going on for two years and my doctor found gallbladder calculi, suggesting surgery. I'm really scared about the operation what should I do?

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