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Why does diarrhea appear after eating? Could this be a food intolerance or allergy? Should you see a doctor with such a problem? Should the source of diarrhea be diagnosed? The question is answered by the drug. Katarzyna Darecka.
What does diarrhea after eating indicate?
Good day. My name is Andrzej and I am currently 42 years old. From about half a year I started to have digestive system problemsthat worries me a bit. It is about diarrhea after eating. In the beginning, such problems happened sporadically, once or twice a month. Recently, however, they have become stronger and they tire me seriously, but also disturb me. I usually have post-meal diarrhea about an hour after a meal. It is usually disposable and everything returns to normal after a while.
And here my question arises – what does diarrhea after eating show? Is it possible that I am allergic to something or have an intolerance that is causing diarrhea after eating? However, I have not noticed any regularity in what meals are followed by diarrhea after eating. But if it’s not an intolerance, what can trigger diarrhea after eating?
I am afraid that there may be some more serious problems, but I do not know if I should go to the family doctor with the problem of diarrhea after eating? Or maybe straight to the proctologist? What tests await me after visiting a doctor to diagnose the causes of diarrhea after eating? Could I have a colonoscopy?
The doctor indicates possible causes of diarrhea after eating
Diarrhea is when the patient passes liquid or semi-liquid stools with a frequency of 3 or more per day. Depending on the duration, diarrhea can be divided into acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea lasts less than two weeks, chronic diarrhea lasts more than four weeks, and if the diarrhea occurs for more than 14 days but less than 30 days then it is called persistent diarrhea. These types of diarrhea also differ in the possible causes.
In this case, it seems that we are dealing with chronic diarrhea. About 90 percent. chronic diarrhea is caused by inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer or irritable bowel syndrome.
You should see your GP immediately, he or she will be able to ask about other accompanying symptoms, e.g. rectal bleeding, stool color, abdominal pain and when it occurs, changes in body weight, having a fever, family history of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer large intestine. The doctor will also ask carefully about the consistency of loose stool and may also order its examination, including for occult blood, the presence of calprotectic and lactoferrin. The doctor will also be able to order laboratory tests, e.g. blood count, serum iron levels, CRP, TSH and thyroid hormones, electrolytes.
If your doctor determines that there are indications for a colonoscopy based on the patient’s symptoms or abnormalities in the physical examination, he may also order such a test. Such alarm symptoms include: age> 50 years of age, blood in the stool or tarry stools, abdominal pain at night and diarrhea, increasing abdominal pain, unplanned weight loss, fever or other systemic symptoms, laboratory abnormalities such as iron deficiency, elevated CRP, presence of occult blood in stools, or elevated calprotectin values. Also, having a first-degree relative with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) or with a history of colon cancer is an indication for colonoscopy.
On the basis of the results of the above-mentioned tests, the GP will refer the patient for further treatment, if required.
In order to protect the intestines, it is worth following a balanced diet and support it with appropriate supplementation. At Medonet Markte you can buy a probiotic for leaky gut syndrome that will help alleviate unpleasant ailments.
– Lek. Katarzyna Darecka
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time we devote it to the diet. Do you have to stick to it 100% to stay healthy and feel good? Do you really have to start every day with breakfast? What is it like with sipping meals and eating fruit? Listen: