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Dr. Douglas Levin, MD

Gastroenterologist

My practice is internal medicine with a focus in gastroenterology, liver disease, hepatitis and especially fatty liver disease. I graduated with a degree in medicine almost 50 years ago. I am still ve ...
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56 years Experience
Dr. Douglas Levin, MD
  • Columbus, OH
  • NYU Grossman School of Medicine
  • Accepting new patients

How do you flush out gallstones?

You may not be able to flush out gallstones. A medication called ursodeoxycholic acid may dissolve the stones if they are tiny and are not calcified, and are so-called cholesterol READ MORE
You may not be able to flush out gallstones. A medication called ursodeoxycholic acid may dissolve the stones if they are tiny and are not calcified, and are so-called cholesterol stones. So-called pigment stones and brown pigment stones cannot be dissolved or flushed out. If you have no symptoms, you may never require treatment.

Bloody stool?

You should contact your doctor, especially if you have not had a recent colonoscopy.

What can make all this happen in a male?

Sulfur smell may come from an inherited disorder of methionine. You need to be assessed by a doctor familiar with this. You may be misidentifying the odor; it could be fetor hepatis READ MORE
Sulfur smell may come from an inherited disorder of methionine. You need to be assessed by a doctor familiar with this. You may be misidentifying the odor; it could be fetor hepatis from advanced liver disease. Your sore nipples could come from liver disease as well. Methadone can cause nausea and cramps, but so can many other things. Again, you need to see an appropriate doctor.

Can COVID infection cause diarrhea?

I hope you are recovering well from COVID. Yes, COVID does cause diarrhea in many people. As you recover, the diarrhea should pass. Taking pepto bismol for a few days should help. READ MORE
I hope you are recovering well from COVID. Yes, COVID does cause diarrhea in many people. As you recover, the diarrhea should pass. Taking pepto bismol for a few days should help. Pepto will turn the stool black, so do not panic if the stool is dark or black!

Diarrhea constantly?

Your infectivity is hard to predict since it depends on the cause. Generally, 48 hours after the diarrhea ends, you probably will be OK. Washing hands, showering after bowel movement, READ MORE
Your infectivity is hard to predict since it depends on the cause. Generally, 48 hours after the diarrhea ends, you probably will be OK. Washing hands, showering after bowel movement, not swimming in pool for next day or two would help.

What causes this rash?

I am not a dermatologist, but this might be a depigmented area called vitiligo. You should get a quick dermatology visit to make sure you do not have a depigmented skin tumor. Doug READ MORE
I am not a dermatologist, but this might be a depigmented area called vitiligo. You should get a quick dermatology visit to make sure you do not have a depigmented skin tumor.

Doug

Sickness from water?

I have no explanation for your reaction to water. I guess I would use the sparkling water instead. Reasonable amounts of hot or iced tea or coffee might be tolerable and will help READ MORE
I have no explanation for your reaction to water. I guess I would use the sparkling water instead. Reasonable amounts of hot or iced tea or coffee might be tolerable and will help you maintain hydration.

Trapped wind in middle of night?

If these symptoms are relatively new, you should see a gastroenterologist promptly. You may have something obstructing the digestive track.

Should I be worried about my bowels?

If your stool is a very dark brown, that is normal. Black stool which is truly black and sticky suggests bleeding in the digestive tract. Iron supplements can make the stool black READ MORE
If your stool is a very dark brown, that is normal. Black stool which is truly black and sticky suggests bleeding in the digestive tract. Iron supplements can make the stool black like coal and is innocuous. What you describe is likely normal.

I have a rash on my anus?

I fear the rash may be herpes. You should see your doctor as soon as you can to be assessed.

My ultrasound/endoscopy/HIDA scan all came back completely normal. What else could it be?

The next step would be esophageal motility with impedance measurement and 24-hour pH monitoring. Before seeking the motility, I would try taking 2 Gaviscon with a glass of water READ MORE
The next step would be esophageal motility with impedance measurement and 24-hour pH monitoring. Before seeking the motility, I would try taking 2 Gaviscon with a glass of water at bedtime. If that worked it would confirm nocturnal reflux. An endoscopy with biopsy does not exclude the possibility of reflux.

I need to locate a gastroenterologist?

I would be seen at the University of Iowa. The gastroenterologist there will be able to get you a gastroenterologist closer to home if that is necessary.

What can I take for stomach pain and diarrhea?

If you have had diarrhea and pain for just a few days, you could try Peptobismol, one dose 4 times per day for 3 days. If you have had it for more than 5 days, you have to see READ MORE
If you have had diarrhea and pain for just a few days, you could try Peptobismol, one dose 4 times per day for 3 days. If you have had it for more than 5 days, you have to see your doctor. Many questions have to be asked:
Have you had a fever?
Have you used antibiotics in the last few months?
Does having a diarrheal stool change the pain?
Have you lost weight?
Is there blood in the stool? Is the stool black? Peptobismol makes the stool black.

If you get worse in any way, you need to seek care promptly.

I think I have food poisoning?

If you have had diarrhea for just one day without fever or much discomfort you should recover on your own over a few days. I would avoid milk products and raw food for 3 days. READ MORE
If you have had diarrhea for just one day without fever or much discomfort you should recover on your own over a few days. I would avoid milk products and raw food for 3 days. If you get worse rather than better with fever and worsening lower abdominal cramps, you should see your doctor. That pattern is seen with shigella a bacterial infection. These days, 1 gram of Xithromax seems to be the antibiotic of choice. To hasten your recovery, you could take pepto bismol 1 four times daily for 3 days. This will make the stool black.

Why do I feel sick when I eat?

If it has only been for 5 days, you may have a viral illness. I would try something like over-the-counter Pepcid when you buy it and then take it at bedtime and when you get up READ MORE
If it has only been for 5 days, you may have a viral illness. I would try something like over-the-counter Pepcid when you buy it and then take it at bedtime and when you get up and before lunch and dinner for a few days. If after 2 weeks if you are no better, see your doctor.

Plavix and oil of oregano?

Oregano can increase bleeding in patients on medication like Plavix. I would avoid the oregano.

Douglas M. Levin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF

Halitosis that won’t go away?

Almost certainly the white coating of the tongue is related to the halitosis. The question then is why you have the white coating of the tongue. Firstly, I do not think you can READ MORE
Almost certainly the white coating of the tongue is related to the halitosis. The question then is why you have the white coating of the tongue. Firstly, I do not think you can exclude reflux just because the endoscopy is unrevealing. An esophageal monitor over a day could identify reflux and a motility which is a much shorter test could strongly suggest reflux. Crohn’s disease can affect the mouth although a white tongue is certainly atypical. As a last resort an oral surgeon could take a small biopsy. Finally, it is less likely given the tongue findings but possible the Crohn’s disease or its treatment is allowing absorption of odiferous gasses produced by GI microbes to be absorbed and then breathed out. There are some problematic breath tests looking for bacterial overgrowth available. Perhaps a trial of rifaxamin, which is very safe except for your wallet, would be helpful. A review of your Crohn’s medication might be revealing.
Good luck!!

Should I go to the ER for gallbladder pain?

You should go to the ER for this pain!,

Upper left abdomen swelling and pain?

Right upper abdominal pain after eating is likely colonic in origin. Does passing gas or having a bowel movement give relief? If the pain radiates to the back, a pancreatic cause READ MORE
Right upper abdominal pain after eating is likely colonic in origin. Does passing gas or having a bowel movement give relief? If the pain radiates to the back, a pancreatic cause is possible. At 55, the onset of the pain is of great concern and you should see you doctor in the very near future!

Cyst on left ovary and can’t poop?

The cyst on the ovary, unless it is huge, is unrelated. How old are you? How long have you been unable to poop? Do you have pain or bleeding? Is constipation a long-term problem READ MORE
The cyst on the ovary, unless it is huge, is unrelated. How old are you? How long have you been unable to poop? Do you have pain or bleeding? Is constipation a long-term problem for you?