frequently emptying bowels

I am a 27 year old male.  I am 6'4" about 190.  For several years now I have had to empty my bowels very frequently.  It is at least 3 to 4 times a day, but has been as much as 5 or 6 on certain days.  Also when I go, I sometimes have very loose stool which requires a lot of force and pushing to exit.  I will usually have to go 2 or 3 times in a row first thing in the morning before I can even eat breakfast.  I feel that my diet is fairly good.  I usually have oatmeal with honey, cottage cheese, and blueberries for breakfast.  For lunch I will have a turkey sandwich, yogurt, and grapes.  Dinner is usually chicken or steak with salad and potatoes.  I try to stay away from the junk food as much as possible.  What concerns me the most is that I once weighed 230 lbs about 2.5 to 3 years ago and I have lost 40 lbs over the course of that time without trying to do so.  I have no pain or discomfort with any of this.  I am just worried that I may not be digesting my food correctly or something.  Any advice would be appriaciated.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A change in bowel habits accompanied by an unintentional loss in weight should be further investigated.  

Causes of malabsorption can be considered - whether it's lactose intolerance or fat malabsorption.  A stool sample can be tested for fat malabsorption, and a breath test can be done for various types of carbohydrate malabsorption.  

I would also consider an endoscopy (either colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) which can evaluate for any anatomical abnormalities or inflammation that can lead to a change in bowel habits.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician or in conjunction with a GI evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[yoshi]

may be you should try cutting back on veggie and fruits.

[grannyjo]

I would ask my GI Dr. to test for Crohn's disease.

[Big Pappa Pump]

My stomache is really hard and i never have a hard stool, sometimes i have blood ,im never comfortable. i have medicade and im 35 and have lots of gas, stomach is so bloated i cant fit in my cloths  please help

[Big Pappa Pump]

my stomach is hard uncomfortable Bloated gassey and really uncomfortable. my stool is never hard sometimes has blood. im 35 and on medicade . I need help had lots of tests maby not the right ones no one wants to help me solve this problem i cant take it any more. thanks