What could be done to resolve diarrhea and bloating?

Question

Hi doctor,

I tend to have bouts of diarrhea. Strangely enough, they always seem to be more common on Mondays or Tuesdays. After long conversations, I notice that I feel bloated too. Also, after eating bread, I become bloated and uncomfortable, and then the diarrhea starts. I noticed when I had COVID a few months back that I did not eat much and my stomach calmed down.

I also notice when I am bloated, I experience very slight tremors. I have been to doctors several times and had physical examinations done and although I have no pain when they push my stomach, I have a very mild pain all over my abdomen when I feel bloated. I feel more sensitive than experiencing pain but it is not in any specific location. I have done iron tests, and my iron levels are normal. There is no blood in my stool. My doctor says that they think it is psychological because I suffer from chronic anxiety and sometimes hyperventilate - so I have aerophagia. I think I also might have a food-sensitive problem. My doctor says it is not serious because there is no weight loss, no specific area of pain, and no blood loss. Does this sound correct?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

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There are no alarming signs and symptoms like weight loss, severe unbearable pain, or blood in stools, which is reassuring. Intermittent symptoms are also reassuring. If there is something bad inside, it usually causes persistent symptoms rather than intermittent. To me, this seems to be dysbiosis (abnormal gut bacteria), which causes bloating and altered bowel habits like loose stools. It is very common in sensitive individuals and patients who have anxiety disorders. For this, I suggest trying to avoid eating out for a couple of days, avoid reheated meals, and avoid alcohol consumption (if any). Add regular probiotics to your diet. Yogurt is a natural source of probiotics. I suggest you take regular probiotics for two to four weeks. Adjust your anxiety medication (start of weekend symptoms are mostly due to anxiety or stress). If you are having persistent symptoms, you will need a stool examination known as stool DR (detailed report). It is a simple stool test that is checked under a microscope for any evidence of infection or undigested food particles.

I hope this information will help you. Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

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Hope you get well soon.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.