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Spotting Between Periods: Complications Abnormal vaginal bleeding may be minor. But it could signal something more serious or even life- threatening, such as a benign growth like a polyp or fibroid, a bleeding disorder, an infection, or an injury. It’s rare, but spotting can sometimes be a sign of cancer.
Bleeding between periods often happens when you start to take hormonal contraceptives. This is because your hormone levels drop. It is also called breakthrough bleeding, and usually happens about 2 weeks after your last period. Breakthrough bleeding should stop after 1 or 2 months.
A variety of things can cause abnormal uterine bleeding. Pregnancy is a common cause. Polyps or fibroids (small and large growths) in the uterus can also cause bleeding. Rarely, a thyroid problem, infection of the cervix, or cancer of the uterus can cause abnormal uterine bleeding.
While your period usually occurs an average of every 28 days, anywhere from 21 to 35 days between periods is considered normal. About 14 days after the start of your period, you ovulate and release an egg from the ovary. This spotting can last for one to two days and is typically light bleeding.
Stools may float or sink, but ones that float tend to be indicative of healthy bowels. A high-fiber diet can make feces float, which is a good thing, but so can fat in the stool—good if you’re trying to lose weight, but not if it’s a result of malabsorption or if you don’t want to lose weight.
It is not the weight of your stools, but rather their densities that determines their out-of-body fate to float or to sink. Simply put, the “floaters” are bloated by the air in them. Sinkers need a lot more fiber in their diet. Floaters may be caused by gas in the stool, resulting from a change in the diet.
If your body isn’t getting the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to stay strong and thrive, you could have serious complications. When it’s not treated, malabsorption syndrome might lead to: Greater chance of infections. Osteoporosis (low bone density), which increases risk of bone fractures.
A complete blood cell (CBC) count may reveal microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency or macrocytic anemia due to vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or B9 (folate) malabsorption. Serum iron, vitamin B12, and folate concentrations may help establish a diagnosis.
Malabsorption Tests
Tests sometimes ordered include: Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) – to detect early vitamin B12 deficiency. Hydrogen breath test – to detect lactose intolerance and bacterial overgrowth in the digestive system (carbohydrate malabsorption) Xylose absorption test – to evaluate carbohydrate digestion.
Malabsorption may be temporary, for example, occurring in so-called stomach flu, when vomiting or diarrhea may prevent the efficient absorption of nutrients. This type of malabsorption goes away when the underlying disease resolves.
Stress can affect digestion and what nutrients the intestines absorb. Gas production related to nutrient absorption may increase. The intestines have a tight barrier to protect the body from (most) food related bacteria. Stress can make the intestinal barrier weaker and allow gut bacteria to enter the body.
At best, there is marginal evidence that probiotics help these conditions. Where they have been convincingly shown to be beneficial is in the treatment or prevention of certain kinds of diarrhea, as well as in ulcerative colitis and with certain problems that can accompany fat malabsorption.