What is Abdominal Pain

 

Recurrent abdominal pain also referred to as RAP or ROP can be identified by a combination of nausea, vomiting, weight loss and pains in the abdomen.

This is a symptom of a problem that may need further medical care.

In most instances, recurrent abdominal pain can be caused by a condition known as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.

It is also possible to have RAP with different symptoms such as cramping and severe stomach aches.

It isn’t constant or agonizing to care for proper treatment, especially since pain might be alarming at first, however recurrent abdominal ache situations can fortunately be diagnosed and treated.

There is no need to suffer from frequent abdominal aches.

Let’s see how RAP can be caused, diagnosed and treated.
 

Main Causes of Abdominal Pain

 

The most common cause of abdominal pain is indigestion, or more specifically gastritis.

This occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes irritated from any number of ailments, including stress, overeating and consumption of certain foods.

Another reason for pain in the stomach area could be a hernia, which occurs when fat pushes through a weak point in your abdominal muscles.

Some other reasons that pain could occur in your gut include appendicitis and hepatitis, both of which are difficult to say without proper diagnosis.

If you’re experiencing any sort of discomfort in your abdomen you should see a doctor right away because these conditions can escalate quickly and lead to deadly consequences if left completely untreated.
 

 

Different Types / Variants of Abdominal Pain

When it comes to abdominal pain, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution.

That said, there are several different ways of tackling the issue of stomach pain.

The following is a rough overview of different variants of abdominal pain.

Ideally, it’s always worth going in for a proper medical examination in case things are more serious than you think. 

• Sharp Pain in Upper Right Abdomen

• Bloating

• Burning Sensation or Upper Stomach Pain

• Sharp Pain in Lower Right Side of the Abdomen

• Diarrhea Abdominal Pain

• Abdominal Pain with Bloating

• Bloody Diarrhea and Cramping

• Bodily Discomfort with Constipation or Diarrhea

 

Symptoms Associated with Abdominal Pain

 

The way you feel when you have abdominal pains varies from person to person, but there are a few consistent symptoms that everyone can identify with.

Although it is not possible to get a diagnosis from the list of abdominal pain symptoms alone, these areas of concern should put people out of their misery by ruling out certain conditions.

However, it is important to remember that even though the pain appears localised to an area of the abdomen, they can still be caused by any organ within the body – not just the abdominal organs themselves.

Here are some of the symptoms associated with abdominal pain:

• Bloating
  
• Gas  
• Indigestion
• Discomfort in the upper left or right; middle; or lower left or right abdomen
• Diarrhea
• GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux)
• Heartburn
• Chest discomfort
• Belching
• Constipation
• Pelvic discomfort
  

 

How to Diagnose and Treat Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is arguably the most common complaint among men and women, with women being more susceptible to one specific type of pain known as functional abdominal pain.

It’s an extremely unpleasant sensation that can be likened to severe menstrual cramping accompanied by bloating and nausea.

Men can express pain in different ways, such as gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which indicates that they will need a different approach when diagnosing their problem.

It’s vital experts figure out what is exactly causing the abdomen pain so it can be treated efficiently and effectively.

The causes of abdominal pain vary broadly and therefore each case must be dealt with on its own terms through a thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis process.
 

 

Home Remedies to Cure Abdominal Pain

 

Some common home remedies to cure abdominal pain include: 

Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a great natural remedy to many digestive problems. It helps to balance the acidity of the stomach, which we need in order to properly digest food.
 

Abdominal Massage
If you have been experiencing stomach pain and constipation, a gentle abdominal massage can help move things along and relieve the intestinal blockages that may be causing the stomach pain.

Gently massage this area with your forefinger and middle finger in a clockwise motion to stimulate muscle contractions and break up food that may be stuck in the intestines, due to overeating.

Breath Work
When you are stressed, your body enters a state of “fight or flight” – not “rest and digest”. This can make digestion difficult, which can lead to stomach-ache.

To help with digestion, take 3-5 deep breaths in and out before you sit down to eat. This will recentre your body and shift your focus to digesting food. If you start experiencing stomach-aches, try this trick before the meal starts!

Drink Water
Water is a key nutrient that helps hydrate the colon, speed up elimination and support the small intestine bacteria.

Drinking enough water daily can help prevent constipation and acid reflux. One way to remember to drink plenty of water is by downloading one of these free water-drinking apps.

Ginger
Ginger is a fantastic natural stimulant to digestion, like apple cider vinegar. 

If you have fresh ginger in your house or can quickly go out to the grocery store to get some, break off about 1 centimeter of it and chew on it for a few minutes.

Aloe Juice
When you’re suffering from a sunburn, it’s common to turn to aloe. The plant has been used for centuries to soothe skin and heal wounds, but aloe can have a number of other benefits as well. One of those is that it can be soothing for the cells in your digestive tract.

Bone Broth
Bone broth is rich in both collagen and gelatine, which help to repair damage to cells.

If you eat a nutrient-poor diet, have a known digestive health condition, or have taken medications that may have compromised the integrity of the digestive tract, cellular damage may have occurred, and bone broth can be extremely healing.  Here’s how to make your own.

Peppermint Essential Oil
The benefits of ginger and apple cider vinegar are well documented, and research suggests that peppermint oil offers similar benefits.

Peppermint oil is a great substitute for ginger or apple cider vinegar if these ingredients aren’t available due to illness or travel. It can also be used to treat muscle spasms in the stomach lining and colon.

 Lemon Tea or Water
Lemons are another go-to for digestive health remedies. Lemons also help to entice proper digestive secretions to ensure your food is properly broken down and moving along in your system.

If your stomach isn’t feeling so great after a meal, make a hot lemon tea, or simply add 1 tbsp of lemon juice to a cup of water.

 

  

Summary

Although these remedies might alleviate the pain, it is recommended to get a professional diagnosis from your doctor or gastroenterologist in order to discuss the way forward.

If you would like to book an appointment with a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist or would simply like more information on a particular GI topic, don’t hesitate to use our online booking form or call Dr. Deetlefs at 021 551 867. 

Introduction
 

Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Iron deficiency is a common issue amongst people from all age groups. It can lead to anemia.

In this comprehensive guide, we provide an analysis on the symptoms, causes, and possible ways to prevent and treat the condition. 

 

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia

 

For some people, life can be a daily struggle. For a person with a blood disorder, a chronic illness, or a serious injury, staying healthy can be a never-ending battle.

There is a new weapon in the fight against the physical, mental, and emotional stresses that impact our daily lives – iron deficiency anemia.

Iron is an important nutrient needed to prevent anemia. Anemia occurs when there is a lack of healthy red blood cells.

Your body gets iron from food, so anemia can occur if you do not have enough iron in your diet. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia worldwide.

The World Health Organization estimates that 30% of the world’s population is anaemic, and half of that is due to iron deficiency.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the important facts to consider and guide you when dealing with iron deficiency. 

What are the Symptoms of Anemia

 

Every year, 150 million people worldwide are affected by anemia, and more than half of them don’t even know they have it.

That’s because anemia comes without any symptoms. Most of the time the only way to detect an iron deficiency is through blood work.

However, some symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Frequent Urination
• Pale or yellow skin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weight gain
• Exhaustion
• Shortness of breath
• Hair loss
• Flaky Skin
• Dizziness
• Tingling or pins and needles sensation in the hands or feet
• Mental Confusion

More severe symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low Heart Rate
• Palpitations
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Heart Failure  

 

How to Diagnose Anemia
 

Anemia can be diagnosed by your doctor based on the following parameters:

Blood Glucose Test
The medical experts believe that you can diagnosis anemia based on the blood glucose levels.
If your blood glucose level is above normal, it can be diagnosed as a cause of anemia. Anemia is a common cause of diabetes.

Electrolytes Test
Electrolytes test helps in diagnosing the condition of anemia by measuring the concentration of various electrolytes in the blood.

Ferritin Test
It’s a simple blood test that will reveal the amount of ferritin in the blood. The more iron, the greater the amount of ferritin, which indicates anemia.

Haemoglobin Test
Lower than normal haemoglobin levels indicate anemia.
The normal haemoglobin range is generally defined as 13.2 to 16.6 grams (g) of haemoglobin per decilitre (dL) of blood for men and 11.6 to 15. g/dL for women.

Additional Diagnostic Tests:

Endoscopy
Doctors often check for bleeding from a hiatal hernia, an ulcer or the stomach with the aid of endoscopy. In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube equipped with a video camera is passed down your throat to your stomach.

This allows your doctor to view the tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach (oesophagus) and your stomach to look for sources of bleeding.

Colonoscopy
To rule out lower intestinal sources of bleeding, your doctor may recommend a procedure called a colonoscopy.

A thin, flexible tube equipped with a video camera is inserted into the rectum and guided to your colon.

You’re usually sedated during this test. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to view inside some or all of your colon and rectum to look for internal bleeding.

Ultrasound
Women may also have a pelvic ultrasound to look for the cause of excess menstrual bleeding, such as uterine fibroids.

These tests may be ordered by your doctor after a trial period of treatment with iron supplements.

 

How to Prevent Anemia and What Iron Rich Diet to Follow

 

The best way to prevent anemia is to eat a healthy well-balanced diet.
The best food sources of iron are as follows: 

• Meat – especially red meat
• Poultry
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Tofu
• Beans

But not all people can eat these foods as they may be vegetarians or have other food allergies.

For those who can’t, the following are good sources of iron:

• Cereals
• Meat alternatives
• Bread
• Eggs
• Nuts

Alternative Prevention Measures

• Smoking
• Weight Gain
• Low consumption of iron-rich foods
• Physical inactivity
• Poor nutrition
• Low levels of intake of calcium and vitamin D 

 

How to Treat Anemia Naturally at Home

 

You just can’t work hard enough, or lose enough weight, and your iron deficiency is probably caused by something you eat and drink every day – and even more so, in women than men.

But there is a simple way you can help yourself, and it doesn’t involve expensive supplements, “superfoods,” herbs or injections.

You can get your body to be able to absorb all that precious iron you’re getting from meat, eggs and sturdy greens by cutting back on substances that inhibit the absorption of this mineral from your food.

Many people are unaware of how a few lifestyle changes can make the entire difference. Preventing the condition is a lot easier and requires only minor lifestyle adjustments.

Here we detail what you need to do:

Weighing yourself regularly
Do not ignore this simple yet effective method. If you do not have enough iron in your diet, check your weight regularly to know your actual body weight. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia, so be it.

Eat foods rich in iron
Vitamin C rich fruits, beans, leafy greens, lentils, meat, chicken, etc are iron-rich foods. The amount of iron in these foods is sufficient to prevent anemia.

Move more often
Always try and include a few vigorous exercises like swimming, jogging or running in your weekly routine.

Take iron supplements
The most commonly used treatment for anemia is the oral iron supplements. They are available over the counter.

Iron supplements, also known as iron salts and iron pills, are a number of iron formulations used to treat and prevent iron deficiency including iron deficiency anemia.

For prevention they are only recommended in those with poor absorption, heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy, hemodialysis, or a diet low in iron.

 

The Difference Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Normal Low Iron Levels

 

The main difference between iron deficiency anemia and having normal low iron levels is that anemia causes you to become tired, weak, and pale.

When the macrophages — which are involved in immune function — can’t make enough haemoglobin to help them fight infections the way they normally do, you begin suffering from lack of nutrients.

You can also experience depression, trouble concentrating or thinking clearly, irritability, vision problems (or changes), restless leg syndrome (RLS), tingling hands or feet (paraesthesia), temperament changes including excessive moodiness, impatience, or sadness.

Of course, it’s possible for all of these things to appear on their own for multiple reasons having nothing to do with anemia.

Nutritional deficiencies are rarely diagnosed based on symptoms alone so if any of these apply to you, you might want to get your iron tested by your doctor.

 

 

 

Get in Touch with GI Experts

 

With the abundance of essential nutrients and vitamins, your body would most likely be able to fight any form of anemia.

To learn more about the complexity of your gut and the opportunity for you to contribute to the scientific pursuit of gastrointestinal knowledge, contact Dr. Deetlefs or peruse our website.

We are gastroenterologist experts using patient-focused GI treatment and procedures in Cape Town.

                                                   What is Double-Balloon Enteroscopy?

 

Double-balloon Enteroscopy is a technique used by Gastroenterologists to gain visual access to the small bowel. 

The enteroscopy allows the doctor to have a complete internal view of the small intestine and the colon using two inflatable balloons. 

Your small bowel, which is the longest part of the intestine, is about six meters long and allows you to digest and absorb food before it gets into your colon, where the undigested food is then stored and eliminated.  

When a blockage causes the small intestine to swell, it is called a gastrointestinal obstruction, also known as a “blockage” or “obstruction.” 

Unlike single-balloon enteroscopy, a double-balloon technique is used when a patient has small bowel strictures (narrowing of the small bowel).

With the introducer device, the patient can be sedated so the procedure can be done on an outpatient basis instead of an operating room setting.

 

What Does DBE Involve? 

 

The double-balloon endoscope is inserted into the mouth and fed through the small intestines, doing a standard endoscopy of the small bowel. 

At one point during the procedure, the doctor inserts a small camera with an LED light to illuminate the small intestine. The double-balloon endoscope has two balloons — a water balloon and a gas balloon. 

The water balloon holds the endoscope in place to help the doctor view the small bowel. The gas balloon inflates later in the procedure and gives the doctor a better view.

These balloons are inflated prior to the procedure to enlarge the small intestine, so that the inner lining and tumors can be visualized.  

Most patients require sedative or general anesthesia to keep them still.
Some patients are given general anesthesia prior to the procedure, rather than local anesthesia, so they don’t require sedation or a general anesthetic. 

Also, this procedure does have a recovery time, so it is important to have time set aside immediately after the procedure.

 

 

Why a Double-Balloon Enteroscopy is Performed? 
 

There are many different reasons as to why a Double Balloon Enteroscopy is performed.

It can be very useful if the patient is experiencing severe constipation, bloating and/or vomiting.

The procedure is minimally invasive and as for recovery, patients can go back to playing their regular sport or exercise routines within a few days. 

This procedure is both diagnostic and interventional for a variety of small intestinal diseases such as: 

• Vascular Lesions
• Obtaining a biopsy of Tumors
• Placement of a Stent
• Removal of Polyps
• Dilating of a Stricture
• Involvement of inflammatory bowel diseases
• Diagnosis and treatment of mid-gastrointestinal bleeding 

 

What to Expect During the Procedure? 

  

 Many patients are worried about how they’ll feel during the Double-Balloon Enteroscopy procedure. 

There is a good chance they will feel nothing at all. 

You have two small balloons that are inflated in your small intestine.  These balloons are inflated prior to the procedure to enlarge the small intestine, so that the inner lining and tumors can be visualized. 

Your small intestine produces gas that can cause gas pains and cramping. When the balloons are inflated, the gas leaves your stomach and colon through the small intestine. 

The entire procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. 

 

How to Prepare for a DBE?

 

Before the Procedure

Your doctor’s office will instruct about preparation prior your procedure.
Confirm with your doctor on any medications you should stop for a time, including over-the-counter medication.

Diet

Your stomach and bowel should be empty during the procedure to make it possible to visualise the entire area. 
This decreases the possibility of food or fluid being vomited into the lungs while under sedation.

It is often a daunting task. Even though it is an outpatient procedure you will still need to plan time for rest following this procedure.  When you have to undergo a Double-balloon Enteroscopy, there are a few things you need to remember.

Should the procedure be done through the mouth, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the procedure. 

If your procedure will be done through the rectum, bowel prep will need to be done prior to your DBE.  This is similar to preparing for a colonoscopy.

Bowel prep is a necessary procedure when getting any invasive medical procedure done.

The primary side effect of bowel prep is diarrhea. However, this is only temporary and is recovered within six hours. 

 

The Risks

  

Like many medical devices, the double-balloon enteroscope comes with a list of risks.

The biggest downside of double-balloon enteroscopy is that in certain rare instances of double-balloon enteroscopy the patient runs the risk of leaking feces into the peritoneal cavity.

There is also a chance of the procedure leading to temporary nausea and vomiting.

Therefore, double-balloon enteroscopy is not recommended for use in individuals who are critically ill or those with other health complications.

For example, a patient who is older than 65 and has chronic pulmonary disease is at a higher risk for complications from the test.

If this patient has an incisional hernia or gastric bypass surgery, the complications are elevated further. 

Similar risks involved with having a colonoscopy done, can be expected with having a DBE done.

These risks include:

• Bleeding
• Perforation
• Complications of sedation

Side Effects of DBE?
 

Let’s discuss side effects. 

The unique feature of double-balloon enteroscopy is the fact that it allows you to conduct the procedure from the Oesophagus. 

This offers a number of benefits, like a reduced risk of post-procedure bleeding.
However, it also causes a few side effects like sores in the oesophagus after the procedure.

 Common Side Effects may include:

• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive gas, bloating or cramping
• Irregular heartbeat
• Headache
• Mild abdominal discomfort
• Minor bowel irritation
• Drowsiness

Your doctor will always outline exactly what you can expect after any medical procedure.   

 

What is the Recovery Time? 

 

Double-balloon enteroscopy is rapidly becoming one of the most effective and efficient ways to study the intestines.  

This procedure is a great method to use in conjunction with other procedures and the overall recovery time following a DBBE is usually around the same as for a standard colonoscopy.  

During the procedure itself there is usually little to no pain involved, however it is not uncommon for patients to suffer from some discomfort during double balloon enteroscopy.  

Other than this there may be other side effects such as temporary irregular heartbeat.  

However, these side effects are extremely uncommon and unlikely. 

You should be able to walk and talk right after and no more than 24–48 hours after the procedure is completed you should be fully active and back on your feet.  

Generally speaking, it is best to follow your doctor’s orders post-wand removal.  

 

 

 

GI Doc Cape Town is a practice founded to provide medical solutions in the area of gastroenterology. 

Over the years, Dr. Eduan Deetlefs has earned the reputation of a trusted health expert providing consultative, diagnostic, and therapeutic endoscopic and related services to patients in Cape Town and beyond. 

Should you experience any of the above symptoms or need any additional information regarding the above procedure, give us a call at 021 551 8678.