My sister complains of passing bowel after every meal. . What it could be
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postprandial diarrhea AND causes
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NHS diarrhoea adults when to seek urgent help blood weight loss
Passing stool soon after every meal can happen because eating triggers the gastrocolic reflex, a normal increase in colon movement after food. If her stools are formed, she has no pain or weight loss, and this is just 1-3 times daily, it may be a strong but harmless reflex.
If stools are loose or urgent, common possibilities include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome, especially if linked with cramps, bloating, stress, or relief after opening bowels
- Food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance or sensitivity to certain foods, fatty meals, caffeine, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners
- A recent gut infection or food poisoning
- Medication effects, especially antibiotics, metformin, magnesium-containing antacids/laxatives
- Less commonly: coeliac disease, thyroid overactivity, inflammatory bowel disease, or bile-acid diarrhoea
She should arrange a clinician review if it has lasted more than 2-4 weeks, is recurrent, or affects daily life. They may review diet and medicines and consider stool tests and blood tests.
Seek urgent medical care for blood or black stool, fever, severe/worsening abdominal pain, dehydration or very little urine, persistent vomiting, diarrhoea waking her from sleep, or unintentional weight loss. The NHS diarrhoea advice also recommends attention to dehydration and persistent symptoms.
For now, she can keep hydrated and note for 1-2 weeks: stool consistency, frequency, foods, milk intake, caffeine/alcohol, medication use, pain, and any blood or weight change.
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