Have Had A Slight Bowel Movement While Sleeping. What Should I Do?

Posted on Fri, 6 Jul 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 Answered on

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : i am a 75 year old female. Twice in the past month I have had a slight bowel movement while I sleep. I have had no symptoms (stomach ache, etc.). What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Having a slight bowel movement while sleeping usually is associated with diarrhea or excessive gas formation.
This symptom is not worrisome if it happens once in a while.
Try to do some dietary changes and lifestyle modifications for relief.
1.Some vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts) and legumes (beans) may worsen bloating and gassiness and should be avoided.

2.Decreasing the dietary fiber may lessen symptoms.

3.Drink plenty of water, and avoid carbonated drinks such as soda, which may cause gas and discomfort.

4.Eat smaller meals and eat slowly.

5.Low fat, high carbohydrate meals such as pasta, rice, and whole-grain breads may help .

Reduce Caffeine,Alcohol,Dairy products,Fatty foods,Artificial sweeteners .

You can use some over the counter drugs like pepto bismol, tums, imodium, entrocalm, etc for symptomatic relief.

Daily exercises along with a low fat diet will help you overcome the problem.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.

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