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Having Recurring Digestive Problem, Loss Of Appetite And Weakness. How To Overcome This Problem?

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Posted on Thu, 25 Oct 2012
Question: Currently having recurring digestive problem: excessive gas and diarreah in lower digestive tract and loss of appetite and weakness lasting 4 days now...no fever...it may be from food but not certain because it has occurred before...other than scheduling with the gastroenterologist in 3 weeks...is there anything I can due to help overcome this? Why is my digestive tract more vulnerable to these symptoms as I age?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charles S Narasi (1 hour later)
Hello, XXXXXXX,
Greetings from XXXXXXX Sorry to hear that you are
having recurrent digestive problems.This one does
sound like "food poisoning", that is probably
related to eating some contaminated food or drink.
Most commonly poultry such as chicken or eggs,
Potato salad or sandwich left out side can get
contaminated.Fever is not always seen, especially
in elderly patients.As we age, our body produces
lesw digesetive enzymes.That is why it is difficult
to handle food.Acid levels are also lower.
Any time you have loss of appetite,weakness and loss
of weight at that age, you do need a complete blood
work along with both stomach and colon examination.
I am glad tyhat you are seeing a gastroenterologist soon.
In the mean time stay oni bland diet.Avoid fried and
fatty or spicy foods.For control of diarrhea you can take
over the counter Imodium one after each lose stool up
to 4-6/a day. You can also try kaopectate or peptobismol.
Only thing is, it might make your stool black,don't worry.
Ginger ale XXXXXXX juice are good.
Wish you the very best.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Charles S Narasi (1 hour later)
Thank you for your response. Stomach bloating and gas seem to be main problems now and may be due to food poisoning but I wonder about glucosamine that I take daily for arthritis? Regardless of my diet I still have problems with gas and bloating when I get these attacks on my digestive system.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charles S Narasi (15 minutes later)
Hello, XXXXXXX,
Glucosamine with or without chondroitin is taken
as a non prescription alternative natural product.
The drug is not controlled and comes in diffrent
forms, like sulfate or chloride, some combined with
SMS etc.
Loss of appetite, insomnia, nausea and constipation
are mentioned as side effects along with diarrhea and
elevated blood pressure.
Gas and bloating is not mentioned althugh it is possible.
The only way to find out will be to discontinue for a week
and see if the symptoms improve. There should be no
rebound from stopping the drug.
Wish you well.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Charles S Narasi

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1962

Answered : 693 Questions

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Having Recurring Digestive Problem, Loss Of Appetite And Weakness. How To Overcome This Problem?

Hello, XXXXXXX,
Greetings from XXXXXXX Sorry to hear that you are
having recurrent digestive problems.This one does
sound like "food poisoning", that is probably
related to eating some contaminated food or drink.
Most commonly poultry such as chicken or eggs,
Potato salad or sandwich left out side can get
contaminated.Fever is not always seen, especially
in elderly patients.As we age, our body produces
lesw digesetive enzymes.That is why it is difficult
to handle food.Acid levels are also lower.
Any time you have loss of appetite,weakness and loss
of weight at that age, you do need a complete blood
work along with both stomach and colon examination.
I am glad tyhat you are seeing a gastroenterologist soon.
In the mean time stay oni bland diet.Avoid fried and
fatty or spicy foods.For control of diarrhea you can take
over the counter Imodium one after each lose stool up
to 4-6/a day. You can also try kaopectate or peptobismol.
Only thing is, it might make your stool black,don't worry.
Ginger ale XXXXXXX juice are good.
Wish you the very best.