HomeAnswersMedical Gastroenterologyanal fissureWhy do I have changes in bowel movements after going for a vacation?

I have changes in bowel movements after going for vacation. Why?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At January 6, 2021
Reviewed AtJanuary 6, 2021

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I went for a vacation before five months. I came back and got sick. My bowel movements got changed from thick to smaller and thinner with less volume of total stool. A stool test was done and it was normal. I did a fit test before two years and it was normal. The ultrasound of abdomen was normal. I had this problem for a month and then got better. After that, I got the problem again suddenly. I also had burning and pain in the anus. I also had bleeding from the anus. It got better slowly within a week. I do not have any blood in my stools. I asked my doctor for a colonoscopy and he told me that it is unnecessary.

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please say whether you have abdominal pain, do you strain to pass stools, have a problem of anal fissure, or feeling pain after passing stools during constipation. It can be a simple anal fissure. Please say whether your physician did a digital rectal examination or inserted his finger into the anal canal for diagnosing pain and blood.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I do not have abdominal pain and I do not strain while passing stools. I felt a fissure like pain. I have not done a rectal examination and I did only phone consultation. I did a stool tests before the appearance of these symptoms a couple of months ago. I am worried about my bowel movements and why do I have a change? It becomes better within a week and comes back again. What to do?

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can have a rectal infection (infectious proctitis) and this can cause a recurrent rapid bowel movement. This is the cause for you to have bleeding and can cause the formation of anal fissure. Please do stool tests for ova parasites, calprotectin, complete blood count, blood IHA (indirect hemagglutination) titer for E. histolytica (entamoeba histolytica). I consider giving you antibiotics after seeing the results. For now, conservative treatment can be done. You can take Isabgol husk two tablespoons daily and apply Diltiazem gel in the anal canal through the nozzle. Get the above tests to understand the reason behind the altered bowel movements.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I did a stool test for parasites along with another stool test for blood. The results were negative. When I had bleeding and pain, I had a strong smell, not as a stool smell but a few years ago I had a fungal infection in other areas. Now, the bleeding is less but still, I have blood and the strange smell is gone. But the stool is not normal like before and saw something red on the piece of the stool.

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Fungus infection of the bowels is extremely uncommon and it can occur only in immunocompromised patients like the one with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). You do not have symptoms such as significant weight loss, fever, uncontrolled diarrhea to suggest HIV. Please mention about the vacation, do you swimmed in freshwater or any other person along with you had similar symptoms. The parasite entamoeba histolytica is the only possibility. But it usually responds to Metronidazole and it is taken for seven days. Other parasitic infections such as trematodes infections and roundworm infections are the other possibilities.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I did not go swimming and I went to the beach. I went on a small boat. I tested for STD and all the results were negative.

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

A single test sample is not enough for detection. At least three samples should be taken on three different days or a 24-hour stool collection for stool ova and parasites can be done. There is no slip or electronic requisition that I can make for you. You need to approach laboratories in your area and show them the list of testing that I suggested to you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Do I need colonoscopy?

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

According to your age, the chances of having a serious disease of the colon and rectum is very low and none of your findings suggest a serious illness. Your symptoms got started after a vacation and these symptoms suggest a mild parasitic infection. It is of benign cause and resolves with antibiotics.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Which tests do I need to do?

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Did you receive it or not?

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

No, I did not receive it. When I started to have this problem, my anus area had a lot of sweating and my underwear will have spots or streaks sometimes. Recently, it has got stopped.

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

This is not abnormal. The anal area has hair follicles and sweat glands. It is natural to have some moisture over there. You need to do a complete blood count, blood for IHA (indirect hemaglutination) titer for E..Histolytica, and stool for ova and parasites. Do it with three samples on three consecutive days and stool for calprotectin should be done.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I get all these tests done.

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are welcome.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

In the summer, when I started to have this, I did a blood test which showed a liver enzyme with raised levels. My ultrasound of the abdomen was normal. Does it cause a problem?

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you do a complete liver function test and consult me back.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ajeet Kumar
Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Medical Gastroenterology

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