Loose Bowels

[Paul]

For years now I have been suffering from what I can only term as 'loose bowel movements'. It is not quite diahhorea, but on the other hand I dont think it is healthy either, causing me to spend prolonged times in the bathroom. At first I put it down to unhealthy diet, and tried to adjust accordingly, but over the years it has become worse in that, no matter what I eat I tend to suffer. Although, If I do eat something which I would consider rich or fatty (like pizza, or curry) then I can expect the symptoms to worsen for a couple of days.
I am 31, quite fit and healthy, I do not suffer from cramps, nor do I have blood in my stools, however there is sometimes a clear mucas.

Any advice please ?

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Paul,
There are many potential causes for your symptoms.  Often, a specific disease is not found and the symptoms are attributed to either lactose intolerance or inadequate dietary fiber.  I suggest that you take more fiber in your diet ( whole wheat bread, salads, consider supplements e.g. metamucil).  If symptoms persist and you are anxious about the problem, you may consider seeing a gastroenterologist for tests to exclude other treatble conditions.

[Carol]

Paul:

It sounds like a case of irritable bowel syndrome, which can be aggrvated by stress and diet. The best advice I can give you, is to keep a food diary and so you can track what foods seem to be the triggers for you. Millers Bran is very beneficial along with Carob and Calcium Carbonate. Some sort of Acidophilus wouldn't hurt either.

If I were you, I would consult a doctor, and even a homeopath, because most doctors do not believe inthe use of the things I just told you about. There are great web sites for people who suffer with irritable bowel syndrome, and you might get some great advice from those boards.

Good luck
Carol

[Mary]

I would like to hear the answer to this question.  My daughter who is 24 has a similar problem, but she refers to it as explosive diarehha, whatever she eats goes right through her.
She really doesn't have an appetite either.

[Judith R]

What tests/treatment would be indicated for a patient who is s/p colon cancer with resection (stage 1), who 3 yrs after diagnosis now has developed several weeks worth of diarrhea?

[mary saum]

does irritable bowel syndrone cause chest pain and stomach and belly pain  if so what type pain  i have sometime aching and some time cramping and some times sharp  and stickingsharp  some time dirreah and some time constipated.  but i still have these different kind of pains different and without dirreah or constipation.  can arthrite be in chest i have rheumotoid and fibromyalgia also some reflux  problems and  diverticuli  i go to gastro dr and have had different kind of test    i can't tell what it is   have been to emergenc and i hospital takin heart test things  and they are normal   except i have a mild mitral prolapse syndrome had that for a long time an don't take medicine for it only aspirin a day.  i do not have arthritis in lung and heart as far as test show.  there was a calcium deposit that showed on a heart catherization i had done in 1995 other wise normal the it was 30%  i believe     they call it a mild coronary artery desease     i have been in emergency and to the doctor a lot of time with chest  and or abdominal pains and problems   i had gallbladder surgery in October 1999  so you see i don't know if i should go to emeregency every time i have these pains or not also have nause and face and gum and head pain at the same time not every time but a lot      so far not heart PRAISE GOD       it is not normal to have it so much would you say   it not normal to have chest pain that much is it i don't eat spicees things of that nature     i am anemic too i take prevacid - aspirin a day  and ibuprofen 600 wheni need it for arthritis and  vitamin e c b6 magnesium and calcium  zink combination    well  i will stop for now   can you shed any light at all on this or any advice or some thing i could ask the doctor to test, look into fu          futher    test to try and distinguis these symptoms          i really appreceiate hope you do not get tired of reading this and ignore it                        thanks  mary saum   can i expect a reply from you    thank   you   i need some answers      what or how to treat it i don't know for sure what to do every time  please let me know if you need my address to reply

[Suz]

I understand that there are drugs to reduce bowel urgency.

Can you comment as to the name of the drugs.  Thank you.

[jennifer]

My son is seven years old and just recently a problem has started with him having loose bowl movements. The problem is that he does not seem to realize when a movement is taking place and he will pass a stool and not realize what he is doing.The amount he passes is not a large amount but he does not make an attempt to get to the bathroom. We have never had a problem with him as far toilet training (age 3) and all functions seem normal.When he feels a big movement he has no problem going to the bathroom. We dont know if we should increase his fiber or might it be a medical problem. We have talked to him that he must stop activities if he feels he needs to have a movement.

[lina]

I have loose bowel's every so often but today it has been yellow sometimes it is watery and other times is is just loose like mushy, what can it be
Thank you

[nancy]

There is a disease called Celiac Disease.....an intolerence to gluten....which is wheat, grains, etc.  I had explosive bowels and indigestion my whole life.  I was told I had ulsers, to eat more grains and fiber....the grains made me sicker and sicker.  It took a year of declining health(loss of 40+lbs...anemia, exhaustion....etc)before my Dr. admitted my symptoms were not *in my head* and sent me to a specialist at a major hospital.  With controlling my diet, I am fine now.  I do show elevated liver function and pancreas function on blood tests...but have lived 20 years since the dx of the Celiac Disease, with these elevations.
It is thought that CD is rare...but it isn't that rare.  It is also thought to be genetic.  I have learned from others that most Dr.'s do not know much about it and seem to miss it in diagnosis.
Just a thought for some of you with these symptoms.  You can avoid gluten and see if you feel better.  A *newer* blood test is available now and a small bowel biopsy for diagnosis.  I have had the biopsy twice...uncomfortable but not painful.  I have never had the blood tests, since they were not available 20 years ago.

[REGENT]

Though I do not have the problem of explosive diarrhea or mucus, I do however, have been having blood in my stool and rectal bleeding.  This has been on and off for a few weeks. I thought it was just a hard stool causing it, but it seems to come and go at random. The pain after a bowel movement is mininmal, but nonetheless, there.  I have had regular bowel movements without any problems with diarrhea or irregularity.  The only other symptoms I have, of which I do not know if it is related, is being over tired.  I do not work much right now because I am in between jobs, but I am tired like I have been working 12 hour days.  I eat three meals regularly and try to keep it as healthy as possible. I just would like some information on what I should do about this problem. (32 year old female in good health)

[jan]

REGENT - start getting help now.  I started off just like you, blood when i went to the loo.  I shrugged it off as my family has a haemorroid problem.  I always feel tired, could quite easily sleep the whole weekend (and normally do).  I only get out of bed in the morning because to earn money, I have to go to work.

A while after the above, the blood disappeared, but now I have IBS!!!  It is the worst!! And no cure.. only therapy!

Get it fixed NOWWW by a doctor whilst it's still a relatively small problem.  A stitch in time saves nine!

[Philip]

My wife and I have been having loose stool for a few years.  It's not everytime, but probably 90%, we usually both have bowel movements once or twice a day.  It's not watery, just not quite formed.  We eat normal American diets (Burgers,cokes,chinese food,pasta,with some fruits & salads, but I'm sure we would be told to eat more). No other health problems or reasons.  We usually drink bottled distilled water...

We just discovered that when we travel out of town, that it goes away and we have normal bowel movements the whole time?!

Maybe an allergy?  Both of us?

Any suggestions?

[Dawn]

i have heard that the more children a women has had the less control see has over her bowel movements.. can you please tell me if this is true?  and if so can you please tell me what to do about it.

[Sam]

I have problems with dirrhea for several months, at times.  My Dr. has put me on levbid twice daily.  Recently, I was put on Sulfa, for a Sinus Infection.  My dirrhea became worse.  After taking it, I thought my problem would bet better, but it didn't, and I still had a sore throat.  The Dr. put me on a different antibiotic, and the dirrhea stayed with me.  I quit taking the antibiotic on Monday, and thought I would get better after it was out of my system.  I may go one day, and only have one or two loose stools.  Then the next day, back to 4 or 5 times daily, with stomach cramps, and feeling bad all over.  Seems like all my meals go straight through me, especially salad, or anything with fibre. Do you have a suggestion for me?

[to Sam for m Karol;]

I cam rlate to all of what you are feeling . My only difference is I feel totally nauseated most of the time. Especially when I eat anythng. Tired Is my middle name. If you come up with any answers to your problem PLEASE lat me know. THANKS!

[to Sam for m Karol;]

Do youthink stress can be part of the problem?

[Karim Amin]

I've had this problem of and one.  I sometimes have loose bowels but the main reason I'm righting is that sometimes I have blood in it.  When I wipe, there is a lot of blood on the tissue and I don't know where it comes from.  It's not dripping out where it runs down my legs or anything but i'm worried as to where all the blood comes from.  I thought it may have been a pimple or something, but I have no pain.  Any info would be appreciated and if possible send email to ***@****.

[Kimberly]

Hi. I am writing because my son is 4 years old and has always had a loose bowel. Every once in a while it might be what you would call normal. But mostly it is loose. He eats plenty of breads, cheese, drinks milk. Nothing works. It is making potty training a realy pain. Not to mention he goes more than 2 times a day. When I take him to the bathroom it is always a little bit of a bowel movement. Any help would be appreciated. Could some one email at ***@**** I am not always able to get on.
Thank you.

[Susan Birdsong]

I am 45 yrs. old. Back in 1978 I had my gallbladder removed. Since then I dont know what a normal bowel movement is. I go from constipation to diarrear. I have already been to the bathroom 4 times since I ate an hour ago. Its miserable without a gallbladder. Im having a hurting on my upper left side. Have had it for 2 years. Doctors are puzzled. Said there was nothing
over there. Im suppose to have an upper G.I. done next month. Any body out there with a left sided pain that has already been
diagnosed? Let me know the results.

[kelly]

I actually have a conern:
I too have some of the same symptoms as those listed above.  I am only 23 and have recently changed my diet, however, this has been going on for over a month and I'm starting to worry if it could be something more serious.  I don't have the problem with "food going right through me", although I am using the bathroom 3x more than usual.  Not a whole lot of feces comes out, but a lot of mucas.  Sometimes it's clear and sometimes it is the same color as my bowels.  Is there anything for me to worry about, should I consult with my doctor (which I haven't yet because it's a little embarrassing)?  Please reply.
Thanks!!

[audies4]

A related discussion, medication for loose bowels was started.

[deew70]

A related discussion, Loose bowels was started.