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Hello And Thank You For Listening To My Story. I
Question: Hello and thank you for listening to my story. I am a 75yo male, no major medical problems, my only med is for BP, always have had a 'cast iron stomach' - meaning I can eat anything without paying for it. Over the last six months or so I have had multiple episodes of completely painless abdominal gurgling along with frequent mixed solid and liquid stools, that lasts about a day. When it happens I go to chicken broth until it resolves. I can not identify anything that brings it on. Over this time, it has become more frequent, from once or twice a month to once or twice a week. I have had a 20lb weight loss over the six months but I do not notice any change in my appetite between episodes with chicken broth. Could you please try to give me an understandable (to a layman) differential diagnosis and where you would go from here? Thank you. XXXXXXX
forgot to mention that there is no visible blood or grease in the stools
Brief Answer:
Dysbiosis with mild inflammation in intestines.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service on this forum dear,
Have gone through your query in details and I appreciate your concern.
After going through your problem the very likely cause of your problem can be dysbiosis.Our gastrointestinal tract consists of large number of good bacterial and yeast colonies which help in proper digestion of food.The food digested there contains large amount of water which is absorbed into large intestine.
As age of person increases or due to mild infection these good bacterial and yeast colonies are replaced by toxic bacteria's and other organisms.They usually starts fermenting the food hence causing inflammation in intestines.The inflammed intestines are unable to absorb water hence stool remains watery or mixed in consistency.
As the food is not digested and absorbed properly macronutrients are lost in stools causing weight loss and things resolves after you are on broth because light food and soft diet gives time to your intestines to recover and as there is no food for fermentation depleted gut Flora also repletes itself.
As your age is 70; I would by protocol suggest you to go for a colonoscopy.Above 45 age it is recommended in every person after every 5 years however to start with I would suggest you to go for a simple test called stool routine and microscopy which suggest any bacterial or protozoal infection along with test called fecal calprotectectin which indicates any inflammation in intestines.
Along with it sugestion is-
Start taking any good over the counter probiotic like Econorm thrice daily to improve gut Flora.Econorm or VSL#3 contains good species of yeast and bacteria which help in proper repletion of gut Flora.
Along with it take large amount of isapghul husk (psyllium husk) available online 10 gram thrice daily after soaking it for 20 minutes in XXXXXXX warm water.Its a bulk forming agent and helps in formation of bulky stools and comforts intestines.
Take light food.If possible vegetarian for few days.
Follow up with reports.
Hope I was easy to understand.
Any follow ups are welcome.
Thank you.
Dysbiosis with mild inflammation in intestines.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service on this forum dear,
Have gone through your query in details and I appreciate your concern.
After going through your problem the very likely cause of your problem can be dysbiosis.Our gastrointestinal tract consists of large number of good bacterial and yeast colonies which help in proper digestion of food.The food digested there contains large amount of water which is absorbed into large intestine.
As age of person increases or due to mild infection these good bacterial and yeast colonies are replaced by toxic bacteria's and other organisms.They usually starts fermenting the food hence causing inflammation in intestines.The inflammed intestines are unable to absorb water hence stool remains watery or mixed in consistency.
As the food is not digested and absorbed properly macronutrients are lost in stools causing weight loss and things resolves after you are on broth because light food and soft diet gives time to your intestines to recover and as there is no food for fermentation depleted gut Flora also repletes itself.
As your age is 70; I would by protocol suggest you to go for a colonoscopy.Above 45 age it is recommended in every person after every 5 years however to start with I would suggest you to go for a simple test called stool routine and microscopy which suggest any bacterial or protozoal infection along with test called fecal calprotectectin which indicates any inflammation in intestines.
Along with it sugestion is-
Start taking any good over the counter probiotic like Econorm thrice daily to improve gut Flora.Econorm or VSL#3 contains good species of yeast and bacteria which help in proper repletion of gut Flora.
Along with it take large amount of isapghul husk (psyllium husk) available online 10 gram thrice daily after soaking it for 20 minutes in XXXXXXX warm water.Its a bulk forming agent and helps in formation of bulky stools and comforts intestines.
Take light food.If possible vegetarian for few days.
Follow up with reports.
Hope I was easy to understand.
Any follow ups are welcome.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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