Dr Flo,
I am 50 years old. I usually feel pain in the middle of my abdomen. It comes like an attack and moves all over that area. It can last for over 10 hours and usually, no amount of pain killers work. The pain is so severe that I cannot touch the stomach. It cools by itself when I start feeling bloated and I feel like passing stool. Kindly advise me.
Kui
Dear Kui,
Abdominal pain that goes to the back may be caused by a problem in any of the abdominal organs for example the stomach, the intestines, the liver, the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys and the reproductive tract. This could be inflammation in the stomach or intestines, digestion problems, constipation, problems with movement of the intestines, inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the liver or spleen, kidney stones, or even dilatation of the large blood vessels in the abdomen. Growths and cancer of any of the abdominal organs may also cause abdominal pain. A common cause of abdominal pain is having a lot of gas in the gastrointestinal system, which is called bloating.
About half of the gas in our digestive systems comes from swallowed air, and the rest is usually produced by the bacteria in the gastrointestinal system that helps to digest food. If the food does not move through the intestines as it should, then there can be a buildup of gas. You can also get a buildup of gas if you eat too quickly, if you eat too much or when you eat fatty foods. You can also build up gas by drinking through a straw, chewing gum, sucking sweets and taking carbonated drinks like soda.
Some foods also increase the amount of gas in your intestines for example beans, lentils, whole grains, some vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower and carrots), some fruits, artificial sweeteners, and dairy products, if your are lactose intolerant (you have difficulty digesting milk). Smoking has also been associated with bloating.
Some diseases also cause bloating like hyperacidity, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, functional gastrointestinal disorders, infections, food intolerance (such as lactose or gluten intolerance), side effects of some medicine, hormonal changes, especially in women (like menstrual changes and pregnancy); excessive weight gain, eating disorders, stress, depression and anxiety; blockage of the intestines, impaired movement of the intestinal muscles, diseases of the pancreas, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) due to other illnesses like kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure and cancer.
To manage the gas, take a lot of water, avoid chewing gum and using drinking straws, eat slowly, avoid acidic and gassy foods, stop smoking, avoid carbonated drinks like soda, and if you are lactose or gluten intolerant, avoid those foods. There are some medicine that help with the symptoms like simethicone, probiotics, anti-spasmodic medication for the pain and some anti-depressants.
Due to the severity of the pain, it would be advisable to get a proper check-up in hospital, so that a diagnosis can be made and you can get treated appropriately since your symptoms can be due to a wide array of causes. The check-up may include physical examination, blood, urine and stool tests, and scans.
Dr Flo
My private parts get inflamed whenever I shave. Sometimes even without shaving. What could be the problem?
Mercy
Dear Mercy,
Recurrent inflammation or bumps in the groin occur when the hair follicles (where the hair comes out of the skin) are blocked by bacteria and other substances. Some people overreact to the blocked follicle, either because their immunity system is overly sensitive, or because of hormonal changes. It is also more common in overweight people. It is not contagious and it does not occur due to poor hygiene. Sometimes the swellings do not go away, but sometimes they clear on their own, and may leave a scar.
Another cause of this maybe shaving. After shaving, as the hair is growing back, the hair either re-enters the skin at the skin follicle or the sharp tip of the hair pierces the skin follicle before it grows out of the skin to become visible. This causes the area to become inflamed, causing itching, redness and even swelling. This is called pseudo-folliculitis. Sometimes it may get infected. This can happen anywhere where the hair is shaved or plucked, including the face, the armpits, the groin and the legs.
The simplest treatment is to let the hair grow, or only trim it, and not shaving completely. You can use a shaving cream or go for permanent hair removal using laser or electrolysis. The ingrown hair in the bumps can be removed gently with tweezers. Some creams can help reduce the inflammation like steroid creams, acne medication, antibiotic creams in case of infection and antibiotic tablets, when necessary.
In your case, where the inflammation keeps coming back, you can see a dermatologist, who will let you know if you need any further treatment.
Dr Flo,
I have a little bump under my skin on the right side of my vaginal opening. It has been there for about three years now, but it is not painful. I also feel pain between my legs sometimes around the left side of my vagina. Please advise me.
Nanjala.
Dear Nanjala,
At the entrance to the vagina, there are glands called bartholin’s glands that produce fluid to help lubricate the vagina. If one of the outlets of the glands becomes blocked, you can get a swelling that is full of this fluid. This swelling is called a bartholin’s cyst. It is usually painless and can remain there for a long time. However, the cyst may grow quite big, or may become painful or infected, which requires draining surgically. If it is infected, you also need to take antibiotics for treatment. Soaking daily in warm water may help reduce the swelling and discomfort. If this is not helpful, see a gynaecologist for examination and advise on the best treatment option.
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