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Suggest Treatment For Loss Of Appetite While Under Stress

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Posted on Mon, 24 Apr 2017
Question: I recently lost my job. Ever since I have no appetite and am passing small XXXXXXX malodorous stools.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I am sorry about your job! That is definitely going to be upsetting. Stress, grief, and depression can cause loss of appetite, but does not typically cause XXXXXXX stools. If they are very light in color, like a clay or khaki color, usually that means that there is some obstruction of bile coming out of the liver or gall bladder. This is because the bile pigments are not getting into the small intestines and because of this, they aren't lending their color to the stool. But that does not typically smell bad as you described. If you are having diarrheal stools, that can be malodorous and yellow in color. The yellow in that case is usually caused by there not being enough time for the bile pigments to be broken down because of the increased "transit time".

How long have your symptoms been going on?
Are you having any other symptoms, such as abdominal pain?
Are your BMs more frequent and are they frothy or watery?
Are you feeling quite depressed?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (16 hours later)
My symptoms have been going on about 2 months - no abdominal pain, just no appetite. My BM's are more frequent, but are slimy and just small amounts. And yes, I am feeling depressed. My doc seemed to think my anxiety was causing me not to eat, and that changed my BM's.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
So I am gathering that it is not so much clay colored as just different. Because clay color often indicates and obstruction to bile getting through. Yellow, slimy, may be due to insufficient pancreatic enzymes, or insufficient bile, though.

I recommend going back to your doctor and having blood tests for liver panel (this should include liver enzymes and direct and indirect bilirubin) and pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase).

If you are feeling depressed after 2 months, I also recommend considering talking with a therapist, and possibly an SSRI medication such as Lexapro (escitalopram) which can help you feel better.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Loss Of Appetite While Under Stress

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I am sorry about your job! That is definitely going to be upsetting. Stress, grief, and depression can cause loss of appetite, but does not typically cause XXXXXXX stools. If they are very light in color, like a clay or khaki color, usually that means that there is some obstruction of bile coming out of the liver or gall bladder. This is because the bile pigments are not getting into the small intestines and because of this, they aren't lending their color to the stool. But that does not typically smell bad as you described. If you are having diarrheal stools, that can be malodorous and yellow in color. The yellow in that case is usually caused by there not being enough time for the bile pigments to be broken down because of the increased "transit time". How long have your symptoms been going on? Are you having any other symptoms, such as abdominal pain? Are your BMs more frequent and are they frothy or watery? Are you feeling quite depressed?