Which Medical Specialty to Consult for Abdominal Pain and Digestive Issues?

Q: Which Medical Specialty to Consult for Abdominal Pain and Digestive Issues?

Hello： Regarding your discomfort, it is primarily considered that it may be related to gastrointestinal diseases. <br>Given your age, the likelihood of cancer is lower. <br>It is recommended that you consult a gastroenterologist. <br>Additionally, your weight loss may simply be d

For abdominal pain, it is recommended to see a gastroenterologist?

Hello doctor, three days before my period this month, I drank pasteurized milk, about two bottles a day, each bottle being 240ml.
On one of those days, I also ate three and a half soft-boiled eggs.
The day before my period started, I had been constipated for three days and took a stool softener, which helped me have a bowel movement.
I was having a bowel movement once a day, but the front part of the stool was hard, while the back part was soft, resembling sweet potato puree.
The pain was located very low, about three finger widths above the junction of my thigh and torso, and I felt a dull pain on both sides.
After my period started, the pain continued in the same areas, and my bowel movements remained the same, once a day.
On the first day of my period, I moved a double independent spring mattress by myself, and I’m not sure if that had any effect.
After my period ended, I felt discomfort in the upper left abdomen, around the lower rib area, which I believe is near the stomach.
At night, I sometimes felt an empty sensation in my stomach, and I wondered if I was hungry.
When lying on my left side, I felt a slight pain, but when I switched to my right side, the pain disappeared.
I usually skip breakfast and wake up close to noon, around 10:30 AM.
Before lunch, I sometimes feel a dull pain from hunger.
After eating, I start to feel pain in the lower left abdomen (not as low as during my period).
After standing for about 10 minutes, I feel the urge to use the restroom, which wasn’t the case before; I wouldn’t feel the urge to go after eating.
My stool has changed to the soft, sweet potato-like consistency, and there’s no longer any hard stool.
After a bowel movement, the pain in my lower left abdomen goes away, but sometimes I still feel a dull sensation in the upper left area, which can extend to the middle of my abdomen.
About an hour after eating, I sometimes feel an empty sensation in my stomach, but it’s not painful, just different from before.
Drinking warm water seems to help a bit.
This sensation lasted for three days.
On Saturday, thinking I might be hungry for too long, I started having breakfast.
By lunchtime, before eating, I felt pain in the lower left abdomen and near the navel, which prompted me to use the restroom.
After that, I had lunch, but the pain returned, and I had to go to the bathroom again.
After dinner (I had some tofu that seemed a bit off, so I only ate two pieces), I felt the same pain and went to the restroom again.
At midnight, the same pain returned, and I ended up going to the bathroom four times that day, with all my stools resembling sweet potato puree.
On Sunday, after breakfast and lunch, I felt pain to the left of my navel, with a sensation of needing to have a bowel movement, but only passing gas relieved the pain, and I couldn’t have a bowel movement.
After dinner, I drank half a cup of yogurt, and again felt pain on the left side of my navel, prompting another trip to the restroom.
The stool was somewhat like sweet potato puree but in small pieces, and after that, the pain subsided.
After breakfast today, when I stood up and walked, I felt pain on the left side of my navel, but there was no bowel movement; I passed gas about six times, which was not foul-smelling, and I burped five times.
Before eating, I felt an empty, hungry pain in my stomach.
Two hours after eating, I still felt a hungry pain in my stomach, but I didn’t feel an immediate urge to have a bowel movement.
However, when standing, I felt pain on both sides of my navel, about three finger widths apart.
Last night, I experienced a sharp pain in the upper left chest area near the lower edge of my breast for about five minutes.
Today at noon, I weighed myself and found that I had lost 0.7 kg since last night, going from 62.7 kg to 62 kg.
Is this weight normal? Since my period ended, I haven’t had a piece of cookie after meals; is this weight loss normal? Could it be something serious like cancer? Additionally, which specialist do you recommend I see?

Xunwenren, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/06/13

Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine

Hello: Regarding your discomfort, it is primarily considered that it may be related to gastrointestinal diseases.
Given your age, the likelihood of cancer is lower.
It is recommended that you consult a gastroenterologist.
Additionally, your weight loss may simply be due to dehydration, so it is advisable to monitor the situation further.

Reply Date: 2022/06/13

More Info

When dealing with abdominal pain and digestive issues, especially in the context of your symptoms, it is crucial to consult the appropriate medical specialty to ensure a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis. Given your description of symptoms, including pain in the lower abdomen, changes in bowel habits, and discomfort after eating, it would be advisable to consult a gastroenterologist. This specialist focuses on the digestive system and its disorders, which seems to align well with the issues you are experiencing.

Your symptoms, such as the alternating hard and soft stools, the pain in the lower abdomen, and the sensation of fullness or discomfort after eating, could indicate several gastrointestinal conditions. These may include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or even functional gastrointestinal disorders. The fact that your pain seems to correlate with your menstrual cycle could also suggest a gynecological component, such as endometriosis, which can cause similar symptoms and may require consultation with a gynecologist.

In addition to consulting a gastroenterologist, it may also be beneficial to see a primary care physician or family doctor. They can provide a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and a review of your medical history, and may order initial tests such as blood work or imaging studies to rule out more serious conditions. If necessary, they can then refer you to a specialist based on their findings.

Regarding your concerns about weight loss and the possibility of cancer, it is important to note that weight fluctuations can occur for various reasons, including dietary changes, stress, and gastrointestinal issues. However, significant and unexplained weight loss should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional. They may perform tests to check for underlying conditions, including cancer, if deemed necessary based on your symptoms and medical history.

In summary, I recommend the following steps:
1. Consult a Gastroenterologist: This specialist can evaluate your digestive symptoms and perform necessary tests, such as endoscopy or colonoscopy, to assess the health of your gastrointestinal tract.

2. Visit a Primary Care Physician: They can provide a holistic view of your health, manage your symptoms, and coordinate care between specialists if needed.

3. Consider a Gynecologist: If your symptoms appear to be linked to your menstrual cycle, a gynecologist can evaluate for any reproductive health issues that may be contributing to your abdominal pain.

4. Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, dietary habits, and any changes in your bowel movements. This information can be invaluable for your healthcare providers in diagnosing your condition.

5. Address Weight Concerns: Discuss any significant weight changes with your doctor, as they may warrant further investigation.

In conclusion, while your symptoms may be concerning, they can often be managed effectively with the right medical guidance. Early consultation with the appropriate specialists can lead to a timely diagnosis and treatment plan, helping you regain your health and well-being.

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