Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: recent recurring indigestion/diarrhea/cramping

Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic: Gastroenterology - General


In a long battle with fibromyalgia and constant fatigue, I recently checked my morning temperature and found it be less than 97.6 every morning, so following Dr. Balch's advice in Nutrional Healing, I have begun taking kelp capsules. I also take glucosamine, 1,000 mg. of C and bioflavonoids, a potent B complex/multi vitamin supplement, 400 IU of E, calcium with D and a little magnesium, 200 mg of selenium and an estrogen replacement tablet. COULD ANY OF THESE be causing the daily bouts with very loose bowels, cramping, frequent gas and the need to belch? I have tried omitting mild products, reducing wheat intake, eliminting most sugar, etc. NOTHING seems to help. I hope you can offer some advice. thank you.

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Dear Margaret,
Thank you for your question. I assume from the information provided that you did not suffer with the symptoms of loose bowels, cramping, gas and belching before starting the supplementation regimen. If this premise is correct, then stopping the supplements and observing the effect on your gastrointestinal symptoms would be appropriate. However, if you had these problems before starting this regimen or if the symptoms persist after stopping the supplements, then other causes should be considered.

People with complaints of gas and belching have excessive air in their intestines. Although the problem of gas and bloating is not serious, it can cause substantial discomfort as you indicate in your letter There are two main explanations for the excessive intestinal gas: a) swallowed air (often due to breathing through the mouth or talking when eating) and b) fermentation of food by intestinal, usually colonic, bacteria.

My initial suggestion is to evaluate your diet looking for recent changes that may be contributing to your symptoms. Are you eating more salads or have you increased the amount of fiber in your diet? Are you drinking milk or eating more dairy products? Are you drinking carbonated beverages? Any of these dietary changes could be the cause of your symptoms. If you have excluded dietary changes and stopping the supplements does not improve your symptoms, then you should see your physician for further investigations. For example, there have been reports of transmission of intestinal infections by health store supplements. A second possible explanation for continuing symptoms would be the coincidental development of a gastrointestinal disease.

This response is offered for your general information and should not replace the conclusions drawn from a careful and complete evaluation by a physician.

W would be happy to meet you personally in order to better characterize the cause of your symptoms and to provide reassurance. If you wish to be seen by a gastroenterologist of the Henry Ford Health System, please call (313) 876-2393 and request consultation with Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Nutrition and Intestinal Diseases.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, gas
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