What are the possible causes of light-colored stools?
Hi doctor,
Just today, I am having light-colored stools. I am still pooping and eating normally. I have bloating, but that is normal as I have sometimes with certain food. I have pooped three times, and all have been lighter colors. Please help.
Thanks.
30 May 2024 - 1 min read
What are the effects of proton pump inhibitors on acid reflux?
Hello doctor,
Approximately two months ago, I experienced persistent acid reflux for over two weeks, for which I was prescribed PPIs. My symptoms subsided quickly with the medication. However, shortly after starting the PPIs, and a few weeks after my symptoms resolved, I began experiencing sudden stomach pain, cramps, and localized chest pain characterized by uncomfortable burning sensations in both my stomach and chest. This onset occurred approximately two weeks ago. About one week ago, I started to feel some improvement, with reduced stomach discomfort and diminished burning sensations, particularly after adhering to a cleaner diet. Nonetheless, I have been experiencing a sensation of a "ball" in my chest or throat, along with localized chest pain near the lower part of my sternum. Despite avoiding gluten for the past four or five days, today, after consuming it, I noticed an increase in burning sensations in my sternum, accompanied by persistent localized chest pain or pressure. Several weeks prior, I experienced sudden onset heartburn, indigestion, constant chest burning, localized chest discomfort, and increased bloating and gas. The chest burning symptoms fluctuate in intensity. Although I am currently taking PPIs, they do not seem to alleviate my symptoms consistently, as some days I feel better than others.
Kindly help.
Thank you.
28 May 2024 - 1 min read
Is adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder a cancerous lesion?
Hello doctor,
I am a 59-year-old woman. I have a history of GERD, colon polyps, asthma, anxiety, and depression. Two years ago I was diagnosed with pancreatitis after a routine endoscopy. After the pancreatitis, I had an MRCP that revealed adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder. For the past few months, I have been having intermittent diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and chronic bloating, getting worse in intensity. My doctor did a CT this week, and an ultrasound. The only anomaly that imaging revealed is that the adenomyomatosis is now 1 cm thick at the fundus.
My questions are:
1. Is that adenomyomatosis very large?
2. Can adenomyomatosis become cancer or hide cancer?
3. Can CT and ultrasound clearly distinguish between cancer and adenomyomatosis on imaging? I am worried that it is cancer. Because I am the sole caregiver to my adult autistic daughter, and she depends on me for everything. I know gallbladder cancer is a certain death.
4. Should I get my gallbladder out?
5. Does the fact that adenomyomatosis was seen on MCRP make it more likely that what the radiologist saw on my ultrasound this week was adenomyomatosis?
I cannot get an appointment with my GI for a month. Kindly suggest.
Here's my ultrasound results if it helps. And below it are the results from an MRCP I had done two years ago.
Recent report-
Examination: Ultrasound of the right upper quadrant.
Clinical information: Abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
Technical factors: Sagittal and transverse scans of the right upper quadrant were obtained with color Doppler.
Previous reports:
Findings:
Pancreas: No masses hypoechoic area with a geographic pattern along the posterior pancreatic head likely represents focal fat. The pancreatic duct is not dilated.
Liver: Diffusely heterogeneous. No masses. The liver measures 13.1 cm.
Gall bladder: No stones. In the fundus, there is an approximately 1 cm hypoechoic area likely representing fundal adenomyomatosis. This was not documented on the prior ultrasound but was seen on the CT. The common bile duct measures 0.3 cm in the anteroposterior plane.
Right Kidney: The right kidney measures 10.6 X 4.3 X 4.9 cm. Exophytic 1.6 cm cyst. Adjacent to it is a 6 mm hypoechoic area too small to accurately characterize. Consider a 12-month sonographic follow-up.
Impression: 1 cm gallbladder fundal adenomyomatosis. six-month follow-up is recommended. Indeterminate 0.6 cm hypoechoic exophytic lesion in the mid pole of the right kidney laterally likely a cyst with artifactual echoes. Consider a 24-month sonographic follow-up.
History: Pain, and pancreatitis
Older reports:
Technique: 1.5 Tesla magnet. Axial T2-weighted and T1-weighted imaging as well as coronal T2-weighted imaging was performed. Postcontrast T1-weighted imaging was provided following the intravenous administration of 20 mL Dotarem gadolinium contrast. Additional MRCP protocol provided.
Findings:
Liver: Unremarkable without evidence of ductal dilatation or focal mass. No signal drop on the out-of-phase images to suggest hepatic steatosis. 15 cm craniocaudally.
Gallbladder or biliary duct: No cholelithiasis. The common duct measures 3 mm maximally. No visualized common duct stone. Increased infolding at the fundus, likely adenomyomatosis.
Spleen: Normal. 8.3 cm.
Pancreas: No pancreatic divisum. No main pancreatic duct dilatation. No focal mass or abnormal enhancement. No surrounding edema.
Adrenal glands: Normal.
Please suggest on information provided above along with scan reports. I am taking Zyrtec, Zoloft, Omeprazole, Singulair, and Lovastin medicines.
Thank you.
25 May 2024 - 1 min read
What causes stabbing pain in the lower left abdomen?
Hi doctor,
Why am I having stabbing pain in my lower left abdomen? It only hurts when I move or when gas or stool moves through the colon in that area. It is not cramping. It is very much localized pain and only when aggravated. Bowel movements are regular. I had a colonoscopy one week ago, but with no biopsies in the area where it hurts.
Thank you.
24 May 2024 - 1 min read
Can hepatitis C affect a normally functioning liver?
Hi doctor,
I am 73 years old and had an ileostomy a year ago from ulcerated colitis I had. I take no medications for anything. My question is, if I get hepatitis C, will it affect my liver or organs before I normally die?
24 May 2024 - 1 min read
