Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Change In Bowel Movements With No Diet Changes?
Question: I am a very Healthy and fully employed 67. Only ailment is hereditary high blood pressure and controlled with medication and exercise. Kicked n suddenly at 50 when I was running half marathons. Stools have always been normal in texture and regular as in twice a day. Last few weeks, have had to go 3-4 times a day and stools are soft - not loose but much softer and very foul smelling. That is a change. No diet changes. Have lost about 25 pounds over last year but on purpose and just through eating less - no odd diets.
Brief Answer:
Frequent stool change in bacterial counts
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You have noticed a change in you bowels over the past few weeks. Prior to this time did you have any antibiotics or colds or other illnesses? Also have you had any change in your diet? Like eating more vegetables or drinking more milk products.
Some of the things that may contribute to bowel changes is a change in bacterial counts. This may be from recent antibiotic use or from a change in diet. To help reset the bacterial counts I have my patient start taking a probiotic. This can be picked up at any pharmacy and any probiotic may help. Yogurt is similar to probiotics and may also be used instead of the probiotics.
Also a change in diet with increased milk products can actually cause a milk intolerance. So I recommend reducing milk and you milk products may also improve stools.
If these things do not help then you may need further evaluation by a gastroenterologist. If you have not had a colonoscopy in the past 5-10 years then you may need one to rule out infection or inflammatory disease.
In summary
1. Add probiotic
2. Reduce milk products
3. Seek gastroenterologist for colonoscopy
I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions or if you need additional information
Frequent stool change in bacterial counts
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You have noticed a change in you bowels over the past few weeks. Prior to this time did you have any antibiotics or colds or other illnesses? Also have you had any change in your diet? Like eating more vegetables or drinking more milk products.
Some of the things that may contribute to bowel changes is a change in bacterial counts. This may be from recent antibiotic use or from a change in diet. To help reset the bacterial counts I have my patient start taking a probiotic. This can be picked up at any pharmacy and any probiotic may help. Yogurt is similar to probiotics and may also be used instead of the probiotics.
Also a change in diet with increased milk products can actually cause a milk intolerance. So I recommend reducing milk and you milk products may also improve stools.
If these things do not help then you may need further evaluation by a gastroenterologist. If you have not had a colonoscopy in the past 5-10 years then you may need one to rule out infection or inflammatory disease.
In summary
1. Add probiotic
2. Reduce milk products
3. Seek gastroenterologist for colonoscopy
I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions or if you need additional information
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
