Results

Cause of your symptoms

Your abdominal pain and change in bowel habit may have been caused by something you have eaten.

Advice

Try the simple treatments outlined below for two weeks. However, if your abdominal pain or discomfort prevents any of your activities like working or sleeping see your GP.

Treatments

Try a simple diet for your change in bowel habit and if necessary take antispasmodic tablets for your abdominal pain or discomfort. A pharmacist can advise on suitable treatments.

What now?

If you quickly get completely better in the next two weeks nothing further needs to be done. However, if your symptoms persist for two more weeks or recur after stopping treatment see your GP.

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You are less than 50years old and have abdominal pain with loss of weight and or a reduction in appetite and a non-specific change in bowel habit but no rectal bleeding.

Additional information if you see your GP

People who eat less to avoid their abdominal pain or discomfort and or lose a significant amount of weight may have a partial bowel blockage and are likely to be promptly referred for investigation in hospital.