Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Excessive Gas, Incomplete Bowel Movements And Foul Stool Odor?
Posted on
Wed, 11 Apr 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 11 Apr 2018
Answered on
Thu, 3 Aug 2023
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi my name is XXXX, for the past 2 years I have been having a lot of stomach issues I was diagnosed with H-pylori which and the medication took care of the severe pain but since then I have been experiencing a lot of bloating, gas, some weight loss. .I had 2 colonoscopies in 2012/ 2015 both normal no real answers from my doctors. At times I pass a lot of loud gas with stool and my bowel never feels like it is empty I feel like I always want to go.There is no change in the color or smell of my stool usually on the softer side most times. It seems everything I eat affects my stomach. My stomach often times makes loud noises.
Brief Answer:
Gross indigestion due to depleted gut flora
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
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, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand, the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to excess gas formation. Now as the food is not digested either absorbed properly your body would start to lose weight as most of the nutrients are excreted and are not absorbed.
The gas formed inside intestines compresses the nerves running in it and would cause pain.
So overall all your symptoms are clearly suggestive of gross indigestion.
Further repeated colonoscopy also kills the good bacteria of the gut and would make things worse.
Suggestion-
Start taking a probiotic VSL#3 this would help to replete the depleted gut flora. As good bacterial colonies would develop again food would be digested properly.
Take Omeprazole to help you with bloating.
B complex capsule should be taken.
External digestive enzyme supplements to be taken for two weeks. This would aid in the proper breakdown of food.
Take carbohydrate-rich food.
Eat a low-fat meal.
Cook food at home.
Take a vegetarian diet for 2weeks.
Take lots of yoghurt and rice. Yogurt is a natural probiotic.
Fibers should be limited to 20-25 grams a day.
Take ayurvedic tablet Trikatu 2 tablet before going to bed (online).
Eat fermented food.
No meat and fast food for 2 weeks.
Drink 200 ml curd in morning and evening.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Gross indigestion due to depleted gut flora
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
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, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand, the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to excess gas formation. Now as the food is not digested either absorbed properly your body would start to lose weight as most of the nutrients are excreted and are not absorbed.
The gas formed inside intestines compresses the nerves running in it and would cause pain.
So overall all your symptoms are clearly suggestive of gross indigestion.
Further repeated colonoscopy also kills the good bacteria of the gut and would make things worse.
Suggestion-
Start taking a probiotic VSL#3 this would help to replete the depleted gut flora. As good bacterial colonies would develop again food would be digested properly.
Take Omeprazole to help you with bloating.
B complex capsule should be taken.
External digestive enzyme supplements to be taken for two weeks. This would aid in the proper breakdown of food.
Take carbohydrate-rich food.
Eat a low-fat meal.
Cook food at home.
Take a vegetarian diet for 2weeks.
Take lots of yoghurt and rice. Yogurt is a natural probiotic.
Fibers should be limited to 20-25 grams a day.
Take ayurvedic tablet Trikatu 2 tablet before going to bed (online).
Eat fermented food.
No meat and fast food for 2 weeks.
Drink 200 ml curd in morning and evening.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your detailed response I forgot to mention that I am currently taking several medications and concern about any possible interactions with some of the things you suggested.
I was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica in 2016. I take Gabapentin 2700mg per day Baclofen 30mg per day Carbamazepine 600mg per day Mycophenolate Mofetil 2000mg per day Norvasc 5mg and Arimidex 1mg (breast cancer 2012),
Awaiting your response
Thanks
XXXX
Thank you for your detailed response I forgot to mention that I am currently taking several medications and concern about any possible interactions with some of the things you suggested.
I was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica in 2016. I take Gabapentin 2700mg per day Baclofen 30mg per day Carbamazepine 600mg per day Mycophenolate Mofetil 2000mg per day Norvasc 5mg and Arimidex 1mg (breast cancer 2012),
Awaiting your response
Thanks
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Basically, what I have prescribed to you are B complex derivatives and probiotics.
The most likely cause of gross indigestion in your case is the number of medicines you are on.B complex and probiotics should have been prescribed with so many medications.
Again when you are so many medications a PPI should always be given (like omeprazole).
You can have all of them.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Basically, what I have prescribed to you are B complex derivatives and probiotics.
The most likely cause of gross indigestion in your case is the number of medicines you are on.B complex and probiotics should have been prescribed with so many medications.
Again when you are so many medications a PPI should always be given (like omeprazole).
You can have all of them.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Do I need to get a prescription for the Omeprazole or the OTC version can do and also can you say why you think it is Gros Indigestion as oppose to IBS .
Thank you
Do I need to get a prescription for the Omeprazole or the OTC version can do and also can you say why you think it is Gros Indigestion as oppose to IBS .
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion which means that despite doing all possible investigations and giving all possible treatments for minimum 6 months patient is symptomatic then we consider the patient to have IBS.
There is no test to diagnose IBS. Basically, IBS is a medical term used by doctors to say that they don't know what's wrong with your system.
You are on a number of medications without any probiotic or PPI. So initially it's very likely that your problem is due to depleted gut flora.
OTC version would work. Take it.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion which means that despite doing all possible investigations and giving all possible treatments for minimum 6 months patient is symptomatic then we consider the patient to have IBS.
There is no test to diagnose IBS. Basically, IBS is a medical term used by doctors to say that they don't know what's wrong with your system.
You are on a number of medications without any probiotic or PPI. So initially it's very likely that your problem is due to depleted gut flora.
OTC version would work. Take it.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
