Why do one have bloating and loose stool after food?

Question

Hi doctor,

Whenever I sit or lie down to rest or sleep just after taking food, I get loose motion. Often, it is loose mucus motion and a bad headache. Also, I get vomit.

What is my problem? What treatment should I take for this?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The urge to defecate following food intake is a common digestive complaint, usually attributed to physiological causes such as the gastrocolic reflex, which stimulates the colon when the stomach is stretched. However, if this reflex becomes urgent or uncontrollable or is accompanied by cramps or vomiting, further investigation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Possible conditions to consider include inflammatory bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), and food intolerances like lactose intolerance. It is important to assess whether there is abdominal pain or blood in the stool, as well as symptoms like bloating, flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea and their duration.

Identifying specific food triggers, such as dairy products or wheat, can be helpful. Unexplained weight loss, anemia, or a history of gallbladder surgery should also be taken into account. Management of IBS-D involves consulting a specialist to discuss appropriate medications, making dietary adjustments (avoiding chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, sorbitol, and fructose), staying hydrated, consuming fiber-rich foods, managing stress levels, and engaging in regular exercise.

Probiotics like Lactogut (Lactic acid bacillus) may be beneficial, and trying a medication like Welchol (Colesevelam) for seven days can help assess response. However, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before initiating any treatment.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

As I have told you before, avoid all the foods that trigger the problem.

Is there any anxiety or depression? You may take tablet Dicyclomine when you have cramps.

As you never had any bloody stools or weight loss or anemia, inflammatory bowel syndrome can be kept down the list next to irritable bowel syndrome.

If you are very much concerned, you can go for stool analysis for leukocyte and pus cells and a colonoscopy to rule out inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Continue your treatment; you may try what I have advised. Do try the tablet Welchol and let me know if it works for you.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.