Concerns About Health After Dieting
Greetings, About eight months ago, I embarked on a calorie deficit plan. At that time, as a six-foot male, I weighed approximately 145 pounds, but I have since dropped to around 135 pounds. My diet largely consisted of animal proteins, carbohydrates primarily from fruits, occasional pasta, and high-fiber sourdough. Interestingly, I noticed a significant decrease in my bowel movements during this period. Two months ago, I returned to a more regular eating pattern, but now I'm grappling with a lack of appetite, severe constipation, and bloating. Following my doctor’s advice, I’ve started using laxatives; they have helped somewhat, but my stool is still very thin—almost pencil-like, despite using Clear Lax. Additionally, when I consume sugar now—having nearly eliminated refined sugars during my diet—I experience dizziness, my lips tend to turn blue, and I suffer from a pronounced shortness of breath, along with a rapid heartbeat. This feeling of shortness of breath has become almost a constant companion, leaving me unsure whether it’s stress-related or something else. I am in contact with my healthcare providers about these issues, but I am curious to hear any insights or thoughts from others about what I might be going through or how serious it could be. Thank you for your input.
Answers (1)
9/14/2025, 11:40:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing multiple gastrointestinal issues and some concerning symptoms related to your overall health after significant dietary changes. While it's good that you're in touch with your healthcare providers, I can provide some insights into what you might be experiencing and suggest steps to help alleviate your symptoms.
Explanation
Your history of dietary changes and calorie restriction may have impacted your digestive system, leading to issues like constipation, lack of appetite, and alterations in bowel habits. The symptoms of thin stools and the reactions to sugar could indicate underlying digestive stress or dietary imbalances.
The dizziness, blue lips, and shortness of breath you experience, especially after eating sugar, could be signs that your body is reacting to certain foods differently now or that there may be an issue with how your body is processing nutrients. This deserves careful evaluation, as these symptoms could signal cardiovascular or respiratory issues that should not be ignored.
Next Steps
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Hydration and Fiber Intake: Ensure you are drinking plenty of water and gradually increasing your fiber intake from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains if tolerated. This could help with your constipation and improve bowel regularity.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, noting when they occur and what you've eaten. This will help you and your healthcare providers identify any potential food sensitivities or patterns contributing to your symptoms.
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Eating Frequency: Try eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of larger ones. This can help with your lack of appetite and could ease the load on your digestive system.
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Response to Sugar: Since you experience significant symptoms after consuming sugar, consider limiting your intake and observing if your symptoms improve. Discuss these episodes further with your doctor, as they may warrant specific tests or evaluations.
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Relaxation Techniques: To address your ongoing shortness of breath, practice stress-relief techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or light physical activity, provided you feel capable.
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Follow Up: Continue following your healthcare provider's advice about using laxatives, but also inform them about the persistent symptoms you’re experiencing. They may need to investigate other causes or provide alternative treatments.
Understanding and addressing these issues can take time, and it's encouraged to remain engaged with your healthcare providers to ensure that you gain a better grasp of what might be affecting your health. Please prioritize any symptoms that worsen or cause significant concern, especially the breathing issues.
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