What causes digestive and bowel issues after delivery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been experiencing digestive and bowel issues lately, and I am concerned about the possibility of colon cancer, Crohn's disease, or an ulcerative condition. Throughout my life, I have had a history of constipation, but after giving birth three months ago, I went through a phase of severe diarrhea and stomach cramps in the early postpartum period. While the cramps have subsided, my stools remain consistently soft, and I noticed blood in my stool recently. I also had a severe case of food poisoning two weeks ago, which included extreme nausea and diarrhea.

I am worried that there might be an underlying, more serious issue affecting my digestive system. I frequently experience hiccups and excessive burping, sometimes with the sensation that a burp gets stuck in my chest, causing discomfort and difficulty breathing. Two days ago, I visited the emergency room due to breathing difficulties, and they conducted laboratory tests. Upon reviewing my test results, I noticed that my ALT and chloride levels were elevated. The medical staff did not mention this to me, which has increased my concerns. I was also diagnosed with acid reflux in the past.

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on this matter.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am reviewing your case history and attached files (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). I will get back to you in a while. Kindly wait for my detailed response

Thank you

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to ilciniq.com.

Thank you for reaching out again.

I have reviewed your chloride levels, and I would like to share the following observations:

Slight variations in electrolyte levels can occur, and the elevation in chloride levels is just touching the upper limit of the normal range. From a clinical perspective, there is no significant cause for concern.
The mildly elevated ALT (alanine transaminase) level, when compared to your previous test, is not of major clinical significance.
After pregnancy, it is relatively common to experience gut-related issues and not everyone who encounters these symptoms will have conditions like colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Conducting a simple stool examination and initiating appropriate treatment can often address these concerns.
Constipation can be a typical issue during and after pregnancy, exacerbated by the physical pressure of a growing uterus on the bowels. Hormonal factors also play a role, and they typically return to normal within a few weeks after delivery.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.

Kind regards.