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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Diarrhea, gas, mucus
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Diarrhea, gas, mucus

by Dimaki, Jun 22, 2003 12:00AM
I started a couple months ago with occassional floating stools and increased gas.  I didn't think much of it until one day I had bad diarrhea and the gas was horrible.  I had fast-food that day so thought that to be the cause.



Then I had it for another week, though not as bad.  I went to the doctor, he put me on a liquid diet, that didn't work, I had a couple normal BM's inbetween but finally it got worse again so I went back.  



He just sent me for some tests.  I'm nervous though.  It's making it worse.  Last week there was a mucus in the diarrhea.  I have lost weight but probably since I'm not eating since I'm scared of what will happen if I do.  I've lost about 7 pounds in the last 2 months.



What do you think could cause gas, diarrhea with mucus, and loose stools?  I get nervous when I see a mention of HIV.  Is HIV normally associated with just these symptoms?  I don't have a rash or high fever, haven't thrown up.



I quit drinking milk and having dairy, that doesn't seem to be the problem.  I don't see any blood in my stools.  Just diarrhea with mucus and gas.



Thanks.
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 23, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.



There are several conditions.  The first would be malabsorption (i.e. either fat malabsorption or Celiac disease).  They can frequently cause increased gas, and floating stools.  I would suggest sending the stools for a fecal fat test (looking for malabsorption) and serum antibody studies for Celiac sprue.



Inflammatory bowel disease or colitis or other considerations.  If you're losing weight and these symptoms have become chronic, I would consider a lower endoscopy (i.e. colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) to evaluate for these diseases.  Testing the stool for infection and parasites should also be performed.



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.

Member Comments (9)

by bwstone21, Jun 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: Dimaki
Dimaki, when you say your worried about HIV, are you talking about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (the virus which causes AIDS)?  If so, the only way you can get HIV is through specific situations, e.g. unprotected sexual intercourse with infected individual, blood to blood contact with an infected indiviual, IV drug user sharing used needles with an infected individual, accidentally getting stuck with a needle used on an infected individual if you are a healthcare worker, ect.  So you can see transmission of the HIV viruse is not easy, and unless you have done any risky activity like I mentioned earlier you should have nothing to worry about regarding HIV.



If you have been involved in any risky situation, there is a short period after infection (between 3 and 6 weeks) where one may suffer from Acute HIV Syndrome.  "General" symptoms may include fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, lethargy/malaise, decrease appetite and weight loss, and nause/vomiting/diarrhea.



REMEMBER - just because someone you may have some of the symptoms above it DOSN'T mean you have HIV.  To diagnose HIV you need to have a blood test done.  These are just general symptoms, which are usually only known to be HIV related in hindsight, since HIV tests are usually performed at least 3-6 months after exposure.  I hope this helps a little, and maybe dr. kevin will have insight on what you problem is more likely to be caused by.



Good luck, and best wishes...

B

by Dimaki, Jun 23, 2003 12:00AM
Thanks for the replies.  I just get paranoid when I see that it could be any number of things and worry it could be the worst possible thing.



Is coalitis hereditary in any way?  My aunt had that.

Also, I'm starting to get a sore throat lately.  I have some white stuff, blobs, on my tonsils occassionally and am wondering what they are.  My tongue feels a little sore, on the side it's like I bit it, there's a little white spot.  I'm wondering if this is related...

by bws, Jun 24, 2003 12:00AM
Speaking from experience only, I have crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowell disease) which overlaps with colitis.  To give you and example if its herdeitary: Ihave it, my dad had it, and his mom as well.  It has been in my family for 3 generations now.  Right now I think there is evidince to believe it has genetic properties (meaning it can be hereditary).  But not everyone in families gets it and it can skip generations, etc.  So to answer your question, colitis could possibly be hereditary.  If you family members have it you can be at a higher risk than the normal public.  But I do believe that when Dr. Kevin says colitis in his response he is referring to an inflammatory disease (not a syndrome like IBS or infectious colitis).  Just keep checking with your MD, and if you have a soar throat with exudate you might want to see your MD.  You may have a bacterial infection that would require antibiotics.



bws

by Feverboy, Jun 24, 2003 12:00AM
Funny you should mention the blobs on your tonsils. I was in perfect health and then all of a sudden (about 4 weeks after meeting a new girlfriend) started having the same symptoms as you.



Eventually my tonsils blobbed up too and when tested it was discovered that I had glandular fever.



The glandular fever