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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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diarrhea and flagalents
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 and flagalents

by eyeore, Mar 05, 2004 12:00AM
I am a diabetic.  Approximatly 6 years ago I began having diarrhea.  It happens about every other day.  But the thing that bothers me most are the foul smelling flagalents that happen everyday.  They are constant.  They are so embarrassing.  I just want to stay home and never go out, but unfortunatly I own my own business and have to be there every day.  My doctor does not know why, but has ordered a colonoscopy.  Is there anything to do in the meantime?  This is an everyday occurence.  Please help.  I am takeing actos and glucaphage for my diabeties.  I truly cannot take this anymore.  My grandchildren do not want to go anywhere with me because of it.  I am 57.
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 06, 2004 12:00AM
The colonoscopy would be a good test to evaluate for any inflammatory causes of diarrhea as well as looking for any anatomical disease.  Being over the age of 57 warrants you having one regardless.



You can also test your stools for bacteria, parasites as well as malabsorption.  You may also want to test for the pancreatic enzymes to evaluate for chronic pancreatitis.  These disorders can result in foul smelling stools.  



Regarding the gas, again malabsorption and chronic pancreatitis can lead to increased gas.  Irritable bowel syndrome can also result in this.  



I would consider these stool tests if the colonoscopy is negative.  



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 (5)

by MOONGLOW, Mar 06, 2004 12:00AM
Did they ever check you for Celiac Disease?

by eyeore, Mar 07, 2004 12:00AM
Never heard of Celiac disease.  But the answer is no.  When I have talked to my doctor about it I have never gotten any answers.  Infact it was totally ignored.

by MOONGLOW, Mar 07, 2004 12:00AM
It is an autoimmune disorder.  Anything ingested containing wheat, rye, barley, oats causes abdominal distention and lots and lots of gas and then progresses to diarrhea.  If you get on line there is a website called www.glutenintolerancegroup.  There will be a section on symptoms and see if you can relate to any of them.  Once I was on a gluten-free diet, my diarrhea and gas completely went away in only a week.  Once I ingest even the smallest amount of gluten-containing food, I will have symptoms in 20-30 minutes.  You will also have very foul-smelling stools which are very oily or greasy.  There is a screening blood test called "Anti-endomysial antibody (IgA EMA), anti-gliadin antibody (IgG and IgA AGA), Tissue transglutaminase (IgA tTG) and IgA deficiency test.  If these tests suggest celiac disease, it is then recommended that an heplotype test for HLA DQ2 and DQ8 be performed.  (I took this right out of the pamphlet from the GIG.  My tests all came back negative so then I progressed to the small bowel biopsy that was done on an EGD.  This is the rule for positive diagnosis of celiac disease.  Also, it is a genetic disorder and you will find that many of your family members may have the same symptoms.  Once I researched it, my grandparents and daughter have the same symptoms and they got the blood work done.  



It is something that you might consider cause it is so easy to find the answer and  you have to do is stay away from any gluten-containing food and you will feel fine.  (it is not as easy as it sounds though cause gluten is in just about everything you pick up...you have to read labels).



Good luck..anything is worth a try when you are miserable.



by I wonder, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
Hi, ive got a very similar problem to eyeore (& rockbottom in Digestive Forum-Flatulance). I am very interested to learn more & in particular how eyeore gets on in the end (pardon the Punn).

I also saw on another site,  Med Help International, a similar situation, of which the good Doctor gave some great advise, but there was no word from the Sufferer if there was resolution/closure on the issue.( FYI, the site address is www.medhelp.org/per16/gastro/archive/2707.html) If anyone out there can help me in regard to how things turned out, I'd b stoked to hear. I will post a similar note on "eyeore's" forum also, as they are very closely related to my situation.

Remember eyeore to let us know how you are getting on.

From last night, for a start, I have given up the Homebrew Beer & normal beer.

Thanx, I WONDER!

by Lara Grace, Apr 20, 2004 12:00AM
For the past few years, my husband has diarrhea EVERY time he eats something.  It doesn't matter what he eats or in what quantity.  Within 10 min. of eating it he will need to excuse himself to go to the bathroom.



He has had an endoscopy which only found benign polyps, has met with a gastroentologist, has been tested for food allergies, but nothing seems to identify 'why' he reacts this way to food.



Recently he stumbled upon the fact that if he drank a beer before a meal, 90% of the time, he would not have to go diarrhea.  This was great for a while, but the joy of finding this quasi solution was short-lived since he can't have a beer before breakfast or lunch.  



Is there any scientific basis for why beer would help control his diarrhea?  Also, are there are tests that we should be doing to find out the cause of his chronic diarrhea?  Help please!
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