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Is Defecation Twice A Day A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Sat, 6 Dec 2014

Question: Since the last couple of months, I have noticed that I often pass stools twice a day (after breakfast and sometimes after lunch). Earlier, it was only once a day (after breakfast). Also,last week,I had a bout of indigestion (burping). The doctor told me I might have irritable bowel syndrome and prescribed antibiotics.

My eating hours are as follows:
9:30 a.m. - multivitamin protein drink/protein bar
10:00 a.m. - breakfast (veg)
2:30 p.m. - lunch (mostly veg or fish but sometimes meat)
6:00 p.m. - tea with a snack at times
11:15 p.m. dinner (mostly meat)

I have a couple of asks.
1. I would like to cure myself of this condition.
2. I am driving to Goa on Friday and am worried that I might feel like passing stool after breakfast. Is there an over the counter medicine that I can take that might help me not to pass stool after breakfast? Or is it better to avoid eating breakfast on that day?

Please help.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for the query.
I understand your concern.

I guess your doctor is right, you may be having an irritable bowel.

Well there is no particular cure for this disease but symptoms can well be controlled with medications and more importantly with lifestyle modification.
Evacuation twice a day is not a reason to worry if it is not disturbing your schedule.

Can try following things
1) Eating on time
2) Taking adequate sleep
3) Regular walking
4) Avoiding sleep 2 hours after meals
5) Cutting down on stress and anxiety

Getting some basic tests like doing complete blood count, thyroid function test, stool examination will help.

All this will help you to control symptoms in long run.

Also can try taking an medication rececadotril 100 mg (available over the counter by name of AD 100 OR ENUFF) once in night the day you travel and once early in morning the day you travel.

Hope this answers your query.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Happy to help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (23 minutes later)

Thank you,doctor. Your suggestions make complete sense and I'll also get the tests done once I'm back next week.

I have one last question:

rececadotril 100 mg -> Should I take it the night before I travel? I am leaving early Friday morning (3:30 a.m.). Should I take one before going to bed on Thursday and one after I wake up early Friday morning? Or should I take both on Friday?

Thanks.

Regards,

XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:

Hi XXXXXXX
Yes you can take one on Thursday night and one on Friday morning
Best wishes and happy journey.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar