Controlling diarrhea - not just WHAT we eat but HOW we eat

[Carrie]

There are two good articles in the Summer 2006 issue of "Digestive Health Matters." And while most of the information isn't new to us, there are a few suggestions on HOW we eat that had not occurred to me before.

From "Nutrition Strategies for Managing Diarrhea:"
Consume fluids between, not with, meals
Drink beverages at room temperature, not hot or cold
Eat smaller, more frequent meals through the day instead of large meals
Rest after meals - sit for 20 to 30 minutes after a meal

And from "...Recommendations for Patients with Dumping Syndrome (Rapid Gastric Emptying):"
Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 big ones
Eat slowly, chew food thoroughly and sit upright while eating
Drink liquids 30--60 minutes before or after means instead of with meals
(link to full article http://www.aboutgimotility.org/dumping.htm )

The Digest started primarily as a publication to help people with IBS but recent issues have included articles of interest to others with bowel disorders. I subscribe to the hard copy edition since not all articles are available online. For further information, go to the IFFGD (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) website at www.iffgd.org .

Love,
Carole

[Caryl-Y]

Hello Everyone, I'm new to the group. I was diagnosed with MC a couple of weeks ago. Up until the colonoscopy (& prep!) that determined this diagnosis, my symptoms were were not frequent or severe. Immediately following the colonoscopy, I experienced a bowel obstruction & was put on two strong antibiotics because I had a low fever & my white blood cell count was slightly elevated. Fortunately, the bowel obstruction resolved on its own without hospitalization. The doctor advised me to stay on a liquid diet for a few days. I did that, but then felt so weak that I began to eat a bland diet. Diarrhea & abdominal pain were present the whole time I was on the antibiotics. Those symptoms are less severe now, but not gone. I'm wondering if anyone has posted on what to eat during a flare-up like this. I've been reading what people eat while in remission, & that's been very helpful. However, I could use some advice on how to eat now, while I'm still experiencing symptoms that are bad enough to affect my daily life. I'm not sure if what I'm going through now is my body's reaction to the prep & colonscopy & antibiotics, or if this is just how living with MC is. I'd appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks so much.

[natythingycolbery]

Hey Caryl,
You would probably be better to create a seperate thread with this info.

I believe a lot of people follow the BRAT diet (Bananas, rice, Apple sauce and tea) when they are having a flare.

[tex]

Hi Caryl,

Welcome to the board. Yes, as Katy mentioned, some people switch to the BRAT diet, when they are having a serious flare. The main thing is to cut out all gluten, dairy products, and probably soy/. Also, it's best to avoid most or all fruits, except for bananas, and all vegetables should be peeled and overcooked, (cooked to pieces). It's usually best to minimize the amount of veggies eaten, for a while, also, because fiber tends to irritate the intestines during a flare. Most of us can eat things such as meat, poultry, fish, potatoes, sweet potatoes, white rice, eggs, etc. Homemade chicken soup is good during a flare, but most of the popular commercially-prepared soups contain gluten.

I have had to deal with a bowel obstruction in the past, so I understand what you are talking about. You might even want to puree your foods in a blender, before eating, to minimize the risk of creating another blockage. Minimizing the fiber in your diet should also help to reduce the risk of another blockage. The blockage was almost certainly caused by a stenosis, (stricture), in your colon. You should request a copy of your colonoscopy report, in order to see where the stenosis is located, (it's probably in your sigmoid colon, but it's possible that it could be elsewhere. The report should describe it, even though your GI doc may not have mentioned it to you.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything. As Katy mentioned, you will get more responses if you post in the Main Message Board, because few members read this forum.

Tex

[ant]

Dear Caryl,

Welcome from Hong Kong

I hope you overcome your current flare soon.

Tex has answered your immediate question. Keep reading all the information and wisdom here and you will find answers to many more. I wish you well on your journey to remission.

Best, ant