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Suggest Treatment For Constipation Followed By Diarrhea And Intestinal Distress

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Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Question: intestinal distress , sometimes constipated sometimes diarrhea . reduced stool diameter.

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doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need you to response to 6 questions sir, pls do take out some time, thx

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. If you do not mind me asking a few questions so that I can better help you, a response to each of my questions will greatly help me in helping you in a more accurate manner. I appreciate your patience and co-operation sir:

1. Do you experience abdominal bloating? If yes, does it occur with any trigger (e.g. after eating certain types of foods) or does it occur even without a trigger?

2. Do you experience an increase urge to pass your bowels? Especially after eating certain types of foods (e.g. milk or dairy products, gluten, tea, coffee, fried food, fatty food, oily food, spicy food, etc.)

3. Have you experienced any abdominal pain or cramps? If yes, can you describe the location to me?

4. Mucus in stools?

5. Smaller pieces of stool as compared to the larger and longer ones you used to have earlier?

6. Increased gas/flatulence and/or burping/belching?

7. You already mentioned alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation (so this has been ticked)

I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you sir.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (20 hours later)
1. bloating yes
2.yes but no connection as to food type.
3.yes cramps of short duration.
4.don't think so.
5.yes!
6.no
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
?? Suspecting IBS, here are a few suggestions sir

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Thank you for your kind response.

The response and direction received does point towards the possibility of you having a condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The symptoms of which you have mostly displayed (80%), so I shall not dwell into the symptoms, but shall list all the do's and don'ts to avoid further aggravation and to allow you to live as much of a symptom-free life as possible.

The list includes:

+Avoid alcohol
+Avoid spicy food
+Avoid taurine (present in many beverages)
+Avoid oily food
+Avoid mannitol (present in many edibles and drinks)
+Avoid fatty food
+Avoid processed foods
+Avoid fried food
+Avoid certain vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, sprouts, etc.)
+Avoid skin of fruits (especially watermelon, apple, pears, etc.)
+Avoid carbonated drinks
+Avoid caffeine
+Avoid popcorn
+Milk and other dairy products if you seem to experience an aggravation after consuming them (Especially if you are lactose intolerant)
+Avoid gluten and all products that contain it
+Avoid stress (this is a very common and major factor that can cause an aggravation of symptoms, I am sure you would have experienced it if I am not wrong)
+Avoid fructose and all products that are sugar based (as much as possible)
+Avoid chocolate
and others that you feel are individual-specific (not necessarily triggers for others, but can cause aggravation in your case)

And only if you follow these do's and don'ts can you live a much more peaceful life, I too am an IBS-sufferer and can say so with my own personal experience. Although at times, you cannot control the condition and it can recur, and if it doesn't settle with a few changes in your lifestyle and diet, then write to me and I shall help you with some medications if the need arises (hoping it doesn't).

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Constipation Followed By Diarrhea And Intestinal Distress

Brief Answer: Need you to response to 6 questions sir, pls do take out some time, thx Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. If you do not mind me asking a few questions so that I can better help you, a response to each of my questions will greatly help me in helping you in a more accurate manner. I appreciate your patience and co-operation sir: 1. Do you experience abdominal bloating? If yes, does it occur with any trigger (e.g. after eating certain types of foods) or does it occur even without a trigger? 2. Do you experience an increase urge to pass your bowels? Especially after eating certain types of foods (e.g. milk or dairy products, gluten, tea, coffee, fried food, fatty food, oily food, spicy food, etc.) 3. Have you experienced any abdominal pain or cramps? If yes, can you describe the location to me? 4. Mucus in stools? 5. Smaller pieces of stool as compared to the larger and longer ones you used to have earlier? 6. Increased gas/flatulence and/or burping/belching? 7. You already mentioned alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation (so this has been ticked) I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you sir. Best wishes.