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What Could Be Reason For Loose Stools For A Few Years Now?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Jun 2024
Question: Hi. I have had loose stools for a few years now. Not diarrhoea. Occasionally I do a formed stool. I go regularly once a day at the same time. I have no other symptoms. Is this from diet or something else?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please go through detailed answer.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I am Dr Kumar and would be addressing your concerns.
As per your queries symptom is suggestive of Irritable bowel syndrome.However IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion as there is no test to confirm you have IBS,It means that when you have nothing or all your investigations are normal you are labelled as having IBS.
what exactly is IBS?
A common disorder affecting the large intestine is the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhoea are some of the signs and symptoms of IBS. Foods, stress and other diseases can trigger the problem.
However the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not yet known but studies suggest that a lot of factors play a major role. The intestinal walls are lined with a layer of muscle which contracts and relaxes in a rhythm when they move to your rectum through your intestinal tract. If you acquire irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions can get stronger and last much longer than usual. This causes loose stools. In some cases, the opposite can also occur, this can be characterized by weak intestinal contractions, which slows food passage resulting to dry and hard stools.Some patients presents with constipation while other have loose stools.Every patient with IBS is different with varying symptoms.
.Initially i would suggest you to go for colonoscopy and stool microscopy test.If both these tests are normal i would like to start you on-
Tab cibis 8mg thrice daily(contains Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide, and Dicyclomine) consult your local pharmacy for this salt combination.

Why cibis?
Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug.An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells.

Clidinium bromide is an anticholinergic (specifically a muscarinic antagonist) drug. It may help symptoms of frequent stools.

Chlordiazepoxide works by increasing the action of GABA, a chemical messenger which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
They are all antispasmodics and would help with spasms in intestines.
Take a probiotic daily with food as proper digestion of food will prevent excess gas formation.When food is not properly digested large amount of gases are produced inside due to incomplete fermentation of food.Hence if digestion improves overall symptoms will also improve.
Food pattern recommended is-
Eat simple and natural home cooked food.
If possible try detox diet (Raw vegans) for at least 3 month. Take normal food in lunch while in supper take uncooked raw (low fiber) natural form of food. This can play wonders.
Avoid taking excessive fibres. A total fiber intake of about 20-25 gram per day would be good for you.
No pizza,Burger, Red meat, and dairies for few weeks.
No alcohol or smoking.

As to take natural food rich in probiotics like Yoghurt, Kimchi,etc.This doesn't mean that you have to take them as much as you can.Follow your body increase their uptake gradually.
Drink lots of juices and fresh water daily. Drink cleaner water, it will help a lot.
Avoid over spicy and heavy food.

If possible go for a detox diet but again don't force your body rather let your body adopt gradually to things.

In case you need any other help feel free to ask.I would be happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Thanks for the detailed answer.
I have a anxiety disorder and makes me think the worst. In the end you don’t think it’s anything serious. Even though I have had it for years it’s been on my mind recently
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (51 minutes later)
You think the worst case it will be IBS or IBD?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 days later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Anxiety is the most common cause of IBS.
99% of the cases of IBS is related to anxiety.
You need to take anti anxiety pills to sooten your brain and hence relax your vagus nerve.
Vagus never is the main culprit in patients if IBS .Overstimulation due to anxiety causes symptoms.
Thank you n feel free to ask!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
Thanks. Yes I take 40mg of citalopram a day
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (24 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
A benzodizapene like Clonazepam should be taken along with citalopam.
Thanks!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
Yea I have diazepam occasionally. But not very often, only when I need it. Had the loose stools for about 4 years
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Take Etizolam 0.5mg once daily for 3 months.
It's a non habit forming benzo and would be a game changer in your case .
Thanks n feel free to follow up.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Ok thanks. So In the end it’s nothing serious to worry about?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Nops not at all...I mean not a serious issue related to health.
Thanks!
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. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2912 Questions

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What Could Be Reason For Loose Stools For A Few Years Now?

Brief Answer: Please go through detailed answer. Detailed Answer: Hello, I am Dr Kumar and would be addressing your concerns. As per your queries symptom is suggestive of Irritable bowel syndrome.However IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion as there is no test to confirm you have IBS,It means that when you have nothing or all your investigations are normal you are labelled as having IBS. what exactly is IBS? A common disorder affecting the large intestine is the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhoea are some of the signs and symptoms of IBS. Foods, stress and other diseases can trigger the problem. However the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not yet known but studies suggest that a lot of factors play a major role. The intestinal walls are lined with a layer of muscle which contracts and relaxes in a rhythm when they move to your rectum through your intestinal tract. If you acquire irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions can get stronger and last much longer than usual. This causes loose stools. In some cases, the opposite can also occur, this can be characterized by weak intestinal contractions, which slows food passage resulting to dry and hard stools.Some patients presents with constipation while other have loose stools.Every patient with IBS is different with varying symptoms. .Initially i would suggest you to go for colonoscopy and stool microscopy test.If both these tests are normal i would like to start you on- Tab cibis 8mg thrice daily(contains Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide, and Dicyclomine) consult your local pharmacy for this salt combination. Why cibis? Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug.An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells. Clidinium bromide is an anticholinergic (specifically a muscarinic antagonist) drug. It may help symptoms of frequent stools. Chlordiazepoxide works by increasing the action of GABA, a chemical messenger which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain. They are all antispasmodics and would help with spasms in intestines. Take a probiotic daily with food as proper digestion of food will prevent excess gas formation.When food is not properly digested large amount of gases are produced inside due to incomplete fermentation of food.Hence if digestion improves overall symptoms will also improve. Food pattern recommended is- Eat simple and natural home cooked food. If possible try detox diet (Raw vegans) for at least 3 month. Take normal food in lunch while in supper take uncooked raw (low fiber) natural form of food. This can play wonders. Avoid taking excessive fibres. A total fiber intake of about 20-25 gram per day would be good for you. No pizza,Burger, Red meat, and dairies for few weeks. No alcohol or smoking. As to take natural food rich in probiotics like Yoghurt, Kimchi,etc.This doesn't mean that you have to take them as much as you can.Follow your body increase their uptake gradually. Drink lots of juices and fresh water daily. Drink cleaner water, it will help a lot. Avoid over spicy and heavy food. If possible go for a detox diet but again don't force your body rather let your body adopt gradually to things. In case you need any other help feel free to ask.I would be happy to help you. Thanks.