Navigating Mild Chronic Inactive Gastritis with Digestzymes
At 22 years of age, I'm a male standing at 5'5" and weighing 110 pounds. Recently, I was diagnosed with mild chronic inactive gastritis. My dietitian, who has expertise in gastrointestinal (GI) issues, recommended I try a supplement called Digestzymes. Currently, I experience a sensation of air trapped in the upper part of my stomach, particularly around my ribcage, which seems to worsen when I consume excessive amounts of food or opt for certain types of meals. My appetite is quite diminished, making it challenging for me to maintain a sufficient dietary intake. Consequently, my weight loss has become a concern due to the limitations imposed by both my diet and my ability to eat more. The diagnosis of my gastritis indicates it is mild and inactive. My previous GI specialist confirmed its mildness, showing me images that depicted only very faint red lines, which were difficult to discern. When I inquired about the loss of appetite, he admitted he was uncertain about the cause. This left me questioning whether my symptoms were truly linked to the gastritis. Fortunately, I don’t experience any pain, burning sensations, or cramps. However, I do encounter lower GI disturbances characterized by alternating constipation and diarrhea, largely influenced by the foods I consume. My stools are typically yellow and well-formed, though inappropriate food choices can lead to loose stools. Suspecting Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, my dietitian has me using the Digestzymes supplement brand, which comprises ingredients like pepsin, betaine HCl, and ox bile extract. She brings 35 years of experience to her practice, and the positive reviews from her past clients suggest she effectively addresses their GI concerns through the appropriate supplements. As for a meal plan, she has yet to provide guidance as she wants to monitor my response to the enzymes first to determine their effectiveness before proceeding with dietary suggestions. However, I've noticed a concerning trend over the past three days; the air sensation in my stomach has intensified. Additionally, alongside my usual yellow stools, I've observed a yellowish-orange sludge. This occurrence isn't entirely new to me—it happened months ago during flare-ups of loose stools, where I also noted similar sludge post-episode. Now, this yellowish substance is appearing with my formed stools, though this has only been evident in the mornings for the last two days, and it feels somewhat sticky as well. Given these developments, I’m unsure if I should continue taking this supplement or if it is contributing to my discomfort. What should I consider?
Answers (1)
6/24/2025, 9:50:50 AM
OpenHealth AI
Your recent experience with mild chronic inactive gastritis, coupled with your gastrointestinal symptoms and low appetite, understandably raises concerns about your health and supplement use. Here are some key points and guidance on how to navigate this situation effectively:
Main Points:
- Understanding Symptoms: The feeling of air trapped in your stomach, changes in your stool, and your ongoing diminished appetite can all be interconnected, potentially linked to your gastritis or digestive processes.
- Monitor Supplement Effects: Since you've noted an increase in bloating and changes in your stool with the use of Digestzymes, it's essential to evaluate whether they might be contributing to your discomfort.
Explanation:
Chronic inactive gastritis signifies that there's inflammation, but it's not currently causing significant issues. The sensation of trapped air and gastrointestinal disturbances, like alternating constipation and diarrhea, could stem from dietary choices and how your body is responding to them, especially if you're dealing with digestive enzyme insufficiencies. The ingredients in Digestzymes, like pepsin and bile acids, are designed to aid digestion, but individual responses can vary.
The appearance of yellowish-orange sludge in your stool, particularly in the mornings, alongside the bloating, is concerning. It can be indicative of food not being properly digested or possible malabsorption, especially if your body is struggling to break down fats or certain nutrients. The stickiness of the stool could suggest unprocessed food particles or bile issue.
Next Steps:
-
Discontinue Digestzymes Temporarily: Since you've noticed heightened symptoms with the supplement, consider stopping it for a few days to see if there's an improvement in your bloating and stool consistency. This will help you determine if it's contributing to your discomfort.
-
Diet Monitoring: Keep a food diary to track what you eat and how it relates to your symptoms. Pay attention to meals that may exacerbate your sensations of air in your stomach or lead to changes in your stool. Try to identify any specific foods that contribute to these issues.
-
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Focus on drinking plenty of water and consuming small, balanced meals that are easy to digest, like low-fat proteins (chicken, fish), non-cruciferous vegetables (carrots, zucchini), and complex carbohydrates (rice, quinoa).
-
Observe Stool Changes: Keep an eye on the changes in your stool over the next few days. If the yellowish-orange sludge persists or if you notice any significant changes, it's crucial to reassess your diet and possibly seek guidance on managing these gastrointestinal issues.
-
Follow-Up: Since your dietitian is monitoring your response to the enzymes, ensure you keep an open line of communication with her regarding these dietary and symptom changes.
Conclusion:
It's essential to listen to your body during this time. Taking a step back from the supplement and focusing on small dietary changes could help improve your symptoms. If issues persist or worsen, it would be important to revisit your healthcare provider or dietitian for further analysis and potential adjustment of your approach.
Related Questions
What Could Be Causing My Mild Incontinence?
Hello, I'm reaching out about something rather personal and somewhat embarrassing. I'm a woman in my early twenties weighing approximately 180 pounds. Earlier today, I accidentally leaked a bit when I sneezed, though I did feel the need to use the restroom prior. Additionally, I’ve noticed that I’ve been waking up to find a small amount of leakage in my underwear, roughly the size of a fingertip or about an inch at the top. This situation is not only inconvenient but also adds to my anxiety. I consume caffeine on a daily basis (I recognize I should probably cut back on it) and I vaguely recall this issue not being evident when I eliminated caffeine for a few months. Yet, the details are a bit hazy. I’m curious whether my mild incontinence is more closely linked to my pelvic floor health or my caffeine consumption. I always make it a point to use the bathroom before bed, and back in high school, I often managed to go for about eight hours without needing to relieve myself (the bathrooms were closed during that time). As someone who is autistic, I sometimes struggle to recognize the urgency of needing to urinate until it becomes quite pressing. Could this be a contributing factor?
Concerns About Abnormal C-Reactive Protein Levels in My Mother
My mother's situation is quite troubling. At 74 years old, she resides in a nursing home where I've noticed significant shifts in her behavior; for the past month, she has been largely uncommunicative. Typically, such a change could indicate illness or an underlying infection. Despite this, the staff routinely assures me that her test results are within normal limits. However, after reviewing her medical records, I discovered that her c-reactive protein (CRP) levels are alarmingly high. Just a month ago, her CRP level was recorded at 26, but her recent test revealed an increase to 68, while the standard reference range is anything below 10. The nursing home insists that she is fine, stating that her levels need to reach between 300 and 400 to be considered concerning. This information makes me uneasy, especially since she has become nearly nonverbal as her CRP levels have risen. I am seeking clarification—does a CRP level of 68 warrant more investigation, or are my worries unfounded? Although they have confirmed she has no infections and her stool tests were negative for the pathogens they were monitoring, I remain anxious about my mother's health. I appreciate any insights or advice on this matter; it's a difficult time for me and my family. Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.
Navigating Early Lyme Disease: Recommended Treatment Durations from Health Experts
27-year-old female, non-smoker, living with endometriosis. Greetings from France! Please excuse any language errors. Three weeks ago, I experienced a sudden wave of extreme fatigue, accompanied by intense joint pain across my entire body, muscle spasms, and a loss of appetite. These symptoms emerged approximately one week following a tick bite. I sought immediate care at the emergency room, where a physician prescribed a 14-day course of doxycycline. After completing the antibiotics regimen, I still found my joints to be quite painful. Seeking further advice, I consulted a friend who practices medicine, and he suggested that a 21-day course would have been more appropriate. I decided to visit another physician who agreed and extended my treatment with an additional two weeks of doxycycline, bringing the total to one month. I find myself feeling somewhat confused. It seems as though there is a lack of consensus among doctors regarding the optimal duration of treatment for my condition. My primary goal is to effectively treat Lyme disease, yet I am also cautious about taking unnecessary antibiotics, especially since I already face significant gastrointestinal issues. What are your thoughts on this situation? How long do you believe I should continue the antibiotics? Additionally, I have a question: is it feasible to develop Lyme arthritis just a week after being bitten by a tick? Thank you very much for your insights!
Concerns Over Omeprazole Prescription for Silent Reflux Diagnosis
I am a 29-year-old woman weighing 116 lbs, standing at 5’4”, with no significant medical history or medication use. Yesterday, I consulted with my physician due to experiencing episodes of shortness of breath. After recently completing a week-long course of antibiotics for a sinus infection, my throat began to hurt once more, and my voice became raspy again. Upon examination, the doctor noted redness and irritation in my throat and nasal passages. My chest was clear, and the EKG results were normal. According to her, the heaviness in my chest and the shortness of breath are linked to silent reflux. I have taken two doses of Omeprazole, yet I haven't noticed any significant improvement. I still find myself dealing with occasional shortness of breath and heart palpitations. I'm uncertain whether these symptoms stem from anxiety or something else entirely, but the overall feeling is quite distressing.
Understanding Low BNP Levels and My Symptoms
Lately, I have been experiencing significant dizziness, episodes of breathlessness, fatigue, and occasional heart palpitations. I stand at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weigh 160 pounds, which puts me within the normal range for body mass index (BMI). My resting heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels all appear to be normal. Despite having two EKGs performed by healthcare professionals that returned normal results, I decided to take a BNP test to eliminate any concerns regarding possible heart conditions related to my symptoms. Today, I received the test results indicating that my BNP level is less than 4, which is generally considered a positive outcome since levels over 100 may suggest heart failure or other complications. However, I have come across information suggesting that an extremely low BNP could potentially signal underlying issues as well. I'm almost completely convinced that my symptoms stem from a mix of anxiety, vertigo, and dehydration, which was also the doctors' assessment. Additionally, I am in the process of quitting marijuana, which I suspect might be contributing to these manifestations. While I'm relieved about my BNP levels, I wasn’t prepared for them to be so low, and this has left me somewhat concerned.