Asking for information...digestion of a broad range of certain foods?

[PurpleRay60]

Does anyone know where I can find information about what stool qualities are likely to be after digestion of a broad range of certain foods?

I feel too embarissed to share why I'm asking this but suppose I have to give some clues. I have sometimes a leaky bowel, sometimes no problems, and others have stools that are sticky making cleaning self a nightmare after passing them.

Few weeks ago I had a camera in the hospital looking at the lower bowel. No signs of cancer/abnormal mucous, so that's good. Am prescribed Fybogel for keeping the colon empty but am only taking half the dose at the moment as I'm afraid of full dose consequences...

[Luisa22]

It's okay to share anything you need to here. There is nothing we haven't heard about! lol.

Okay, so I don't know of a scientific kind of site where there will be detailed information about what kinds of stools go with what foods, etc.

There is a "Bristol Stool Chart" (easy to find online) which easily describes the type of stools you have. It's just an easier way to describe them, say to a doctor or someone.

But there are foods which are more likely to be "binding", and foods that are more likely to "make you go" or soften stool. Fibre is more likely to make you "go", and foods like white bread, pasta, white rice, hard boiled eggs and plain proteins like fish, meat, inclined to be "binding".

Then there are 2 types of fibre: insoluble (rougher on the gut) and soluble which works in a different way. But many foods contain both!

It's said that fibre helps bulk up stool, but I have only found that the more fibre I eat, the more it makes me "go"! So it actually loosens my stools most times, and doesn't solve anything.

But with some people apparently, it can work.

But you might also have some intolerance, such as to gluten, fructose, etc. If you have, that can cause loose stool.

You will have to experiment yourself to see what foods make your gut feel a bit more steady?

Have you also heard of the Low Fodmap Diet? I won't go on and on about it here, but basically it is a trial period of cutting out certain indigestible carbohydrates, then gradually re-introducing them to see if there are any foods that trigger your gut. You coukld do a search for that online? The Monash University site is a good place to get reliable info about the Low Fodmap diet and which foods are high and which are low.

When I first got IBS, I had to change my diet to get by with fewer symptoms generally. I can't eat what I used to (lots of fruit and veggies, lentils, beans, wholemeal bread etc)

[b1b1b1]

Fecal incontinence can be treated with biofeedback physical therapy. It can also be treated, and in my case, cured, by a medical dietician. She has told me to use Metamucil in the late afternoon and to take 150 mgs of magnesium citrate with dinner. I then have a BM in the early morning. It is complete and there is no further leakage. You should, however speak to your own gastroenterologist and medical dietician as there are different causes of leakage and constipation. Your medical circumstances may. be very different from mine as well.

I am also doing biofeedback for leakage and it is proving very helpful. for occasional constipation as well. I am in NY and it is being done in the office of a colo rectal surgeon.

Just be aware that fecal leakage can be successfully treated.

As to the stick stools, speak to your gastro. I had the exact same thing and it turned out to be SIBO. The sibo was successfully treated with antibiotics and the sticky stools stopped.

[Kezz63]

Go on Google and type in 'stool chart'.

[xjrs]

Everyone's reactions to certain foods and potential impact on stool is going to be different. It will depend on how your body processes that food, how long your colon is etc. I have IBS-C caused by a long loopy colon. This means that foods sit in my colon for longer extracting water, making stools harder and causing constipation. I have to consume a large amount of fibre (which attracts water into the colon and feeds gut bacteria which makes up the bulk of stools) to have regular BMs. I also take Alflorex probiotic which seems to help. Fibre can help you have more of a formed stool causing less stickiness, but it depends on your system. All you can do with foods is go slow (starting with small amounts and increasing every 2-3 days) and keep a food diary. You will know when your body is reaching a tipping point with a certain quantity of food and you can cut back to an amount that helps you the most.

If you want some information about fibrous foods that can help constipation, you might want to read my recent post here:

healthunlocked.com/theibsne...

You might find that dietary measures alone help and you no longer need the Fybogel. Good luck.

[Pajarorose]

Try low Fodmap diet; you likely have food intolerance.

[rosco1]

Hi PurpleRay60,I was prescribed Fybogel and to honest I don't know why as I was having Diahorrea flare ups. My tests and scans eventually concluded that I had IBS.

So getting back to Fybogel, I was told to take 2 sachets per day but like you I just took the one to see how I got on. I couldn't believe it, it gave Diahorrea, worse than it was before so I stop taking it.

In my opinion it's only for you if your constipated, hope this helps.