Question:
Hello, I am new to the boards and am doing this out of desperation. I am 16 years old, and have not seen any doctor about this problem yet.
Over the past few months I have been having problem’s with loose stool. It seems whenever I go the stool is very loose and sometimes I even have diarrhea. The problem has been getting worse and worse by the weeks. I usually have diarrhea (or something close to it) once a week and its totally ruining my life! I am almost always anxious about having an episode when I’m not at home. And I usually have it on my mind even at home. I have really gotten to the point of exhaustion, (mentally) and I am crying right now as I type because this problem is really ruining my social life.
The past few months my bm’s have been getting more and more loose, and painful. I also have noticed that I have had a lot of gas and that sometimes I feel like passing a wet bm while passing gas. I really need help! My parents have scheduled an allergy appointment for me in April, but I feel more needs to be done sooner cause the symptoms are really dragging me down. What should I do?
Answer:
rim,
THere are several things you can do.
Start taking a water soluble fiber supplement like psyllium that is in Metamucil.
It will bulk up you stool by absorbing fliud and make you regular w/o straining.
I use the Equate brand from Wal Mart-- the sugar free orange flavor.
It will produce gas but with continued use it will go away.
Another thing is start eating yogurt-- the kind I use is Stonyfield Farm -- it contains active cultures that will get rid of unfavorable bacteria in the intestinal tract --- You may have to get it from a health food store.
It is the only yogurt in the US that contains L reuteri -- and L casie-- this helps your immune system!!.
Take Care ---Harry
Answer:
I wouldn't recommend water soluble fibers in this case because they only make stools softer.
It is said that their tendency to produce gas will go away, but I have noticed that this doesn't apply to me.
If you have the problem after consuming dairy products, then you might have lactose intolerance.
Answer:
Yesterday I had several bout of loose bm's with some pain. The interesting thing about it was it wasn't diarrea. It felt like it was going to be diarrea and if felt like it was when it came out but when I examined each of the stools I found they were not diarrea but just very loose stools. I also noted that each time I would go it came out very fast and it all came out in a long, skinny string that was coiled like the intestines. Anyone got idea's of whats going on?
Oh btw I don't know if this helps at all but you could probably describe the stools I was having best as a type six on the bristol stool scale.
Thanks in advance!
-Rim
Answer:
Rim,
Usually stools that are thin mean you are not getting enough soluble fiber in your diet.
Soluble fiber is the type that bulks the stool up by absorbing water and make it larger. Of course you have to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
If you want to take it as a fiber supplement daily they are -- Psyllium that is in Metamucil or other brand like Equate from Wal Mart, Citrucel that contains Methylcellulose, Benefiber contains Guar Gum or Fiber Choice that contains Inulin which is chicory root.
Foods that are soluble are the inner part of all grains, beans and peas. Also, the root veggies absorb fluids--- like potatoes, carrots, beets, sweet potatos and turnips.
All fruits and veggies, nuts & seeds and the outer part of grains that is bran included in alot of cerals are all insoluble fiber and don't absorb water and without soluble fiber they produce thin stools like you are having-- thin.
To have normal stools you need a combination of both types of fiber in your diet.
Take care----Harry