14 years
Constant Type 6 Stool every 3-4 days? Stomach pain once in awhile?
Sep 27, 2014
If you have recurrent type 6 (mushy loose stools) and abdominal pain, the first entity we think of is a possible infection, mostly parasitic (like Giardia Lamblia), especially if the stool is particularly foul smelling, or a bacterial infection. As such, a stool analysis, ova and parasites, and culture, will be needed to identify the exact causative agent and administer the correct treatment.
If an infection is ruled out, we think of etiologies like;
1- Irritable bowel syndrome: a functional (non-organic) bowel disorder that results from malfunction in the ability of the motility of the bowel (they either move too much or are too lazy). This condition is usually associated with bloating, constipation alternating with diarrhea, and abdominal pain that is usually relieved by passing bowel movement. Treatment is basically with high-fiber diet and small frequent meals.
2- Celiac disease: due to gluten sensitivity - gluten is the protein found in wheat and barley. So if you try to follow a gluten-free diet and improve, it could be that you have celiac disease. Of course this cannot be determined for certain without the proper lab tests (anti-tranglutaminase antibodies and anti-endomysial antibodies)
3- Lactose intolerance: if the loose stools follow intake of milk and dairy products, you could have a deficiency in lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose (the milk sugar). In such cases, a lactose-free diet is the solution.
If an infection is ruled out, we think of etiologies like;
1- Irritable bowel syndrome: a functional (non-organic) bowel disorder that results from malfunction in the ability of the motility of the bowel (they either move too much or are too lazy). This condition is usually associated with bloating, constipation alternating with diarrhea, and abdominal pain that is usually relieved by passing bowel movement. Treatment is basically with high-fiber diet and small frequent meals.
2- Celiac disease: due to gluten sensitivity - gluten is the protein found in wheat and barley. So if you try to follow a gluten-free diet and improve, it could be that you have celiac disease. Of course this cannot be determined for certain without the proper lab tests (anti-tranglutaminase antibodies and anti-endomysial antibodies)
3- Lactose intolerance: if the loose stools follow intake of milk and dairy products, you could have a deficiency in lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose (the milk sugar). In such cases, a lactose-free diet is the solution.
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