Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
S
Stressed52 Asked October 2014

Can anyone tell me about a "Partial Prolapsed Stomach?" Is it painful, can it cause death?

Mom died about a month ago and I just found out today that she had a partial prolapsed stomach that I knew nothing about as well as diverticulosis. Reading her medical records I am finding things that I was never told. She complained of pain on her right side and we thought it was broken ribs from her fall. Now I wonder if it was the prolapsed stomach.

Veronica91 Oct 2014
Stressed having never heard of a prolapsed stomach i am assuming they are refering to a hiatal hernia. This is caused when part of the stomach pushes up through the duodenum into the esophagus. it will cause pain because stomach content and this will include stomach acid flow back up into the esophagus. The acid burns the inside or the esophagus causing a lot of pain and inflamation and ulcers. A huge number of people have a hiatal hernia which may cause no symptoms or just indigestion. It can be treated sugically or just by using acid supressing meds depending on the patien't's age and general condition. upless she bled to death from a ruptured ulcer it is unlikely to have caused her death.

JessieBelle Oct 2014
The partially prolapsed stomach may not have caused any symptoms at all, particularly if the stomach was displaced just a little. As Lila reported, prolapse is common. Sometimes there are symptoms, other times not. Unless there was twisting or buckling, I doubt it was a factor in her death. The stomach is on the left side. That doesn't mean that pain from it has to be felt there. Body pains can be referred to other places on the body.

Diverticulosis is also common. I've known one woman who said she had pain from it, but others may not even be aware they have it. I would expect the pain from this to be most often on the lower left side -- depends on where the pouches are. I do not think diverticulosis contributed to her death.

I know you are full of "why" did this happen. I went through my father's records, too. They gave me sympathy for things that he went through. In my father's case I came to the conclusion that his body had worn out. There was not an organ in his body that was not failing. Which thing caused his death would have been hard to figure out, since all of his organs were dying.

How old was your mother? Was there an exact cause of death given? or had her body worn out?

ADVERTISEMENT


Lilacalani Oct 2014
You got me curious, and I did a search for "prolapsed stomach" and diverticulosis. Below are excerpts from two articles I found. Note that where it says "at fleets" -- I believe that is a typo, and should read "affects."

“Prolapsed of the stomach is a very common condition, said to exist in at fleets seven out of ten women and a considerable number of men. It is due much to the same causes as result in dilatation, but other causes are rapid loss of weight, weight-lifting or other straining activities, and, in women, to the frequent bearing of children. There may be no symptoms of this condition or there may be uneasiness or any degree of dyspepsia dympyomd. All of these are relieved upon reclining.”
hindustanlink/doctortex/doctor/stomach_disease.htm

“Diverticulosis happens when pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of the colon. If these pouches get inflamed or infected, it is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can be very painful.
“Doctors aren't sure what causes diverticula in the colon (diverticulosis). But they think that a low-fiber diet may play a role. Without fiber to add bulk to the stool, the colon has to work harder than normal to push the stool forward. The pressure from this may cause pouches to form in weak spots along the colon.
Diverticulitis happens when feces get trapped in the pouches (diverticula). This allows bacteria to grow in the pouches. This can lead to inflammation or infection.”
webmd/digestive-disorders/tc/diverticulitis-topic-overview

I share your grief in losing your mother. Blessings to you.

Eyerishlass Oct 2014
I agree with Moondance. Put the medical records down. There's nothing that can be gained by combing through them page after page. Dr.'s use language and jargon and diagnoses that are not meant for our understanding. And it comes from a totally unemotional and detached place. For example, a Dr. may write that a young woman has "anorexia" but what that really means is that she has no appetite. It doesn't necessarily mean that she has a mental illness and body image issues.

Dr.'s write in shorthand, they use universal medical abbreviations that are only for diagnostic purposes. Have you looked up "prolapsed" online? If you have then you know there is no such thing as a prolapsed stomach. Who knows what the Dr. meant when he wrote that?

There's no peace to be found by going through your mom's medical records.

terryjack1 Oct 2014
If you have questions about medical issues she had I would ask her physician, as all doctors are very busy I would write a letter, explaining that you have some questions because your mother didn't relay her medical status with you. As him to explain what terms are and please be sure to include a stamped addressed envelope. Make sure you thank the doc in advance for his/her time to answer your questions. Don't bombard the doc with questions, but ask the most pressing ones. It really doesn't matter what you knew or didn't know, the reality is your mother has passed on and I like to think she's at peace. While death of a loved one is difficult, death is part of the natural circle of life and it happens to all living things. My mother passed away 10 years ago, I still miss her very much and think about her but I know she wouldn't want me to dwell on her death and she would want me to continue with life. I will always miss her; I can tell you the raw pain you are feeling now will change in time. You must live for today even if you start with baby steps. If you are concerned about medical issues your mother had could be passed on to you, write down the diagnosis and ask your physician during your next visit if the disorders are genetic. I'm sorry you have experienced the loss of your mother. Like moondance stated above, nothing will change death, live for today and enjoy it for we never know what is waiting for us around the corner.

moondance Oct 2014
Having had 2 daughter's pass recently, & being a care giver, & a R.N. , I can talk to you from my experience's.
When my youngest daughter died , I read & reread her autopsy reports & even shared it with several physicians that I know. We all came up with no reason for her to have died. I had to let it go because I was driving myself nuts with, "...what does this mean ..." stuff & questions. She is in Spirit, as my other daughter is too. NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT & IT IS PAST. I choose to stay in the present....God's speed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter