Diagnose my Dh...tummy issues.

[upjacobscreekwithoutapaddle]

He's finally got a Dr appt and won't be fobbed off this time (I hope)!

His stomach has always been his 'weak' spot; he always gets tummy bugs doing the rounds etc. For quite a while, but more recently he suffering almost constantly with acid indigestion/reflux. He is forever swigging Gaviscon. He often complains of cramping and has urges to go to the loo. Fairly frequent diarrhoea. Loads of (smelly) wind...sorry.

He is only early 30's, very fit and maybe has 2 beers a week so doesn't drink heavily at all. His job is fairly stressful and I have wondered if he has a small ulcer? He has been to Dr before but just got vague mutterings of 'it's just you....', he's actually getting a bit miserable with it.

[Empross76]

My DH had similar symptoms (mainly the cramps and diarrhoea) and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He takes medication to keep it under control. I think it was diagnosed via a colonoscopy.
It seems clear that your DH has something amiss with his innards so I would think he just really needs to get on to his GP for various tests to diagnose him. Tummy troubles are a misery for all concerned so you have my sympathies and I hope he can be sorted soon.
Good luck.

[Tieni]

Don't be fobbed off, insist on a referral. I have UC and before it was diagnosed I was fobbed off a couple of times, so the symptoms got worse and it took longer to recover from that first episode.

Tell your DH not to leave without a referral, tummy problems are a misery. Hope your DH gets sorted out soon.

[27cats]

Also think about the possibility of coeliac disease, which presents in different ways for different people, but often involves wind and the runs.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

I have something similar, in fact exactly as described, had x-rays, camera down throat and up bum, coeliac tests, blood tests etc.

Came back as reflux/IBS exacerbated by stress. I also have some minor food intolerances (lactose and tomatoes). Plus a mild stomach hernia thanks to pregnancy.

I control it by diet but it does flare up under stress. The gastroenterologist I saw said that when you have that butterflies feeling in your tummy that's your body diverting blood from the stomach to the muscles for the flight/fight reflex. This and the adrenaline in your system affects digestion. Also a natural reaction to stress is to clear out your system (sorry tmi) so that you can run faster.

Major irritants to reflux are acidic things - alcohol (esp wine and spirits), high salt/sugar/fat, citrusy things like oranges and lemons, hard to digest things like lots of red meat, pizza cheese etc. I find they all make me feel terribly unwell, but he may well have different trigger foods.

[Chanatan]

Lactose intolerance?I developed this in middle age after a nasty stomach bug.

[Montybojangles]

Possibly H pylori. Does he burp a lot?

[Sophiedotty]

It could be ibs, lactose or gluten intolerance. Try & keep a food diary to see if there are any triggers.
Also ulcerative colitis might be causing it. Dr will probably do some blood tests & colonoscopy.

[wrenster]

Hiatus hernia can cause lots of reflux and food intolerances. It sounds as if he could do with a endoscopy to see what's going on. I pestered and pestered the doc until she did it to shut me up! Now I manage the condition much better - no gluten, dairy and a good quality probiotic make a huge difference.