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I Have Been Experiencing Digestive Issues For Past Two Months.

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Posted on Sun, 28 Jul 2019
Question: I have been experiencing digestive issues for past two months. Irregular bowel movements, feeling full quickly and without eating much, and needing water while eating to prevent food from settling even though water adds to quick fullness. I began taking probiotics mid-June and it is helping with bowel movements, but not too significantly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please go through detailed answer dear.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for being at Ask A Doctor service.
I have gone very carefully through your query.

Your problem seems to be due to poor digestion overlapped with Dyspepsia (an umbrella term which covers all problems from loss of appetite to bloating etc).

Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered or the enzymes which help to break down food starts to stagnate, This stagnated food would act as culture media for toxic bacterias and yeast which would ferment it and would release toxic gases. These gases would exert pressure on intestines giving feeling of fullness and the bacterias would cause inflammation in intestines causing loss of appetite hence the bowel habits would not be proper.

As it has been more then 2 months in order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:

*Take antibacterial and anti protozoal medicine course for 5 days to kill toxic bacterias (You can take a print of this answer and your doctor if convinced would give you prescription).

* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.If possible take home cooked easy to digest high carbohydrate low fat and protein food for few days.

*Take Omeprazole once daily before breakfast. Its over the counter.

* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.

*Take Digestive enzyme supplements containing protease amylase lipase papain etc thrice daily before large meals.They would help in digestion of food.

* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.

* Take probiotic containing yeast species like saccharomyces and not bacterial species like lactobacillus.VSL#3 twice daily would be a good one.

* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.

Get a liver function and stool test done.

Hopefully that should help.

Let me know if I could help further


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
Thank you for your response. In reference to the suggested antibacterial and antiprotozoal medication, are there any herbal options to consider such as supplements or teas?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes there are but in case they don't work go for English medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,

Yes some herbs which have antibiotic as well as anti inflammatory properties are-

Asafetida-Boil half table spoon with 200-300 ml of water and take 20-40 ml every hour till symptom subsides.
Along with it boil a big crushed piece of gastrlic in water for 10 to 15 min.Drink this tea every 2 hourly.Both of them are anti inflammatory as well as have antibiotic like properties and clears stomach.
But herbs are not always as effective as modern medicines therefore initially give them a try for few days but if symptoms persists take a print out of my answer and discuss it with your GP.He would definitely give you a prescription for the same.

If you want specific herbal medicine(we in XXXXXXX call it ayurvedic you could order online KUTAJGHAN BATI.2 tablet to be taken twice daily with Pysllium husk 10 gram to be taken thrice daily.

Hope I was helpful.
Follow ups are welcome,
Get well soon,
Do rate the answer.Any suggestions to make answers better are welcome.
Thank you!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (40 hours later)
Hello. Thank you for the suggestions. Regarding the teas, for how many days should they be drank; and do I need to drink them with food?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
Teas should be tried minimum for three weeks.
No you can take them any time.No relation with food.

Thank you!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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I Have Been Experiencing Digestive Issues For Past Two Months.

Brief Answer: Please go through detailed answer dear. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for being at Ask A Doctor service. I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to poor digestion overlapped with Dyspepsia (an umbrella term which covers all problems from loss of appetite to bloating etc). Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered or the enzymes which help to break down food starts to stagnate, This stagnated food would act as culture media for toxic bacterias and yeast which would ferment it and would release toxic gases. These gases would exert pressure on intestines giving feeling of fullness and the bacterias would cause inflammation in intestines causing loss of appetite hence the bowel habits would not be proper. As it has been more then 2 months in order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following: *Take antibacterial and anti protozoal medicine course for 5 days to kill toxic bacterias (You can take a print of this answer and your doctor if convinced would give you prescription). * Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.If possible take home cooked easy to digest high carbohydrate low fat and protein food for few days. *Take Omeprazole once daily before breakfast. Its over the counter. * Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake. *Take Digestive enzyme supplements containing protease amylase lipase papain etc thrice daily before large meals.They would help in digestion of food. * Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper. * Take probiotic containing yeast species like saccharomyces and not bacterial species like lactobacillus.VSL#3 twice daily would be a good one. * Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help. * Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help. Get a liver function and stool test done. Hopefully that should help. Let me know if I could help further