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Does Gluten Free Diet Cause Changes In Bowel Habits?
Question: Could my change to a gluten free diet be causing bowel changes? Ie...more frequent, softer stool with mucous sometimes or is it IBS? I also have more gas than usual!
Brief Answer:
Some possible causes of your symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read your query and understand your concern.
From the information you have given me, I may think of several causes of your changes of bowel movement.
-- Are you changes happening over a period of time of more then 3 weeks? In case they are not then it may be a viral infection, which will go by itself, and the bowel will stabilize its movement. But if the changes are for more then 3 weeks, then the most common cause is a parasitic infection like giardia lambia. I see though that you have done a testing for it and it has resulted negative...hopefully after repeating it 3 times, because this is how it should be done and confirmed that it is for sure negative.
-- Diet changes. Yes, gluten free may give softer stools, if your diet actually contains more fibers like fruits, vegetables, ect. It should not be uncomfortable, should not have mucus or blood, and you should not lose weight. This is a normal bowel movement in this case.
-- If you have been diagnosed with IBS before, then yes, it could be from IBS as well. But we can not call IBS if you have not a history of symptoms which fit for IBS.
If you specific case, and the information I have, I think those symptoms are coming from the diet, since you have ruled out serious causes by doing the stool test and the colonoscopy. In that case, I would not worry. If you lose weight, if you see blood in the stool, if this continues for a long time, then consider seeing your doctor who would do a general examination and see things more in details.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. I will be happy to answer.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Some possible causes of your symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read your query and understand your concern.
From the information you have given me, I may think of several causes of your changes of bowel movement.
-- Are you changes happening over a period of time of more then 3 weeks? In case they are not then it may be a viral infection, which will go by itself, and the bowel will stabilize its movement. But if the changes are for more then 3 weeks, then the most common cause is a parasitic infection like giardia lambia. I see though that you have done a testing for it and it has resulted negative...hopefully after repeating it 3 times, because this is how it should be done and confirmed that it is for sure negative.
-- Diet changes. Yes, gluten free may give softer stools, if your diet actually contains more fibers like fruits, vegetables, ect. It should not be uncomfortable, should not have mucus or blood, and you should not lose weight. This is a normal bowel movement in this case.
-- If you have been diagnosed with IBS before, then yes, it could be from IBS as well. But we can not call IBS if you have not a history of symptoms which fit for IBS.
If you specific case, and the information I have, I think those symptoms are coming from the diet, since you have ruled out serious causes by doing the stool test and the colonoscopy. In that case, I would not worry. If you lose weight, if you see blood in the stool, if this continues for a long time, then consider seeing your doctor who would do a general examination and see things more in details.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. I will be happy to answer.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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