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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Related Questions
Experiencing Steatorrhea for Several Weeks (31M)
A couple of years back, my physician diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) at the age of 31. I suspect it’s the constipation-predominant type, given that I often experience constipation and gas. Two years ago, I underwent a colonoscopy, which yielded no abnormalities; my doctor advised a follow-up in 5 to 10 years, although I might push for an earlier appointment due to my current concerns. Recently, I have encountered loose stools along with steatorrhea over the past few weeks. I recall having such episodes previously but they typically resolved more quickly. To address my issues, I’m trialing a gluten-free diet, but considering I’ve consumed gluten all my life without problems, I’m uncertain about its effect. I’ve also resumed taking psyllium, which helps to normalize my bowel movements. However, the benefit tends to fade after a while, leading me back to looser stools that exhibit an oily residue in the toilet. The stool color is generally a standard brown, yet in the early phase of this issue, it appeared more yellow-brown. I’m aware that steatorrhea may be associated with pancreatic or gallbladder issues, and I have been referred to a gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, the earliest available appointment is in a month, and it’s a telehealth session. I assume they will be able to organize any necessary tests afterward that could be conducted sooner. I’m curious as to whether steatorrhea is considered a symptom of IBS. I’ve come across differing views on this matter; some articles affirm it while others deny it. Has anyone faced a similar situation? Currently, I experience no pain, nausea, fatigue, bleeding, or any other symptoms apart from steatorrhea, and I do have normal stools intermittently when I’m using psyllium. Any insights or assistance would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying my best to remain calm during this process.
Should I Self-Diagnose or Consult a Physician?
A 20-year-old male, standing at 5’5" and weighing 130 pounds, recounts his health journey. Back in his mid-teens, specifically at the age of 15, he experienced recurring stomach cramps, significant constipation, painful oral ulcers, and joint discomfort. After concerns about Crohn’s disease arose, he underwent a colonoscopy, the results of which were clear, including the biopsy findings. Fortunately, after approximately one to one and a half years, his symptoms subsided. Although these issues weren't severely debilitating, they caused enough concern for his doctor. Fast forward to now: for the past three weeks, he has encountered gastrointestinal distress without any fever or recent illness, leading him to question if it might be a viral infection. As he digs into the details, he shares that his bowel habits have drastically changed; he now experiences 2-3 bowel movements daily, accompanied by moderate cramping, particularly in the lower left abdomen, which is notably tender. There is an urgent sensation to defecate, leading to very easy passage of stool that is often mushy or fluffy in texture, occasionally disintegrating upon contact with water. On occasion, he has noticed some whitish mucus in formed stools and has seen streaks of blood in his feces, although there are no traces on toilet paper or in the water. To address these troubling symptoms, he first eliminated dairy from his diet, suspecting that perhaps he hadn’t been strictly managing his lactose intolerance. However, after a week without dairy, he has seen little improvement. He ensures he consumes sufficient fiber, typically more than 20-25 grams daily, and has also cut back on caffeine. Now he faces a dilemma: should he wait to see if the symptoms resolve themselves while identifying potential dietary triggers, or should he seek medical advice? While he thinks it may be irritable bowel syndrome, he remains cautious about potentially overlooking a more serious underlying issue.
Concerns After Antibiotic Treatment
I am a 32-year-old male, weighing 180 pounds and standing at 5'9". My medical history includes schizoaffective disorder of the bipolar type, stage 3b kidney disease, and issues with herniated discs and sciatica. Currently, my medications consist of Geodon, Vraylar, Wellbutrin, Prazosin, Klonopin, and Neurontin. Recently, I completed a 7-day regimen of Clindamycin to address a gum infection. Since finishing the antibiotic yesterday, I have been experiencing severe liquid diarrhea and occasional vomiting throughout the week. Unfortunately, my symptoms have worsened rather than improved, and I've been unable to function normally; anything I attempt to eat simply passes through without digesting. I consulted two different physicians—one advised me to discontinue the medication, while the other emphasized the importance of completing the course. I have an upcoming appointment with my primary care physician, but I'm eager to know what to anticipate regarding my recovery from these gastrointestinal issues. I could use any suggestions for getting out of this curled-up position and reducing my urgent trips to the restroom. My main concern is the potential effects of dehydration on my kidneys. I've been experiencing discomfort beneath my ribs, alongside similar pain in my back. I've been trying to stay hydrated with Liquid IV, although I've been advised against taking medications like Imodium. Any tips or recommendations to navigate through this challenging situation would be greatly appreciated! It has been truly distressing.
Experiencing Gas Along with Diarrhea After Surgery
Last Tuesday (September 8), my husband, who is 32 years old and weighs approximately 185 pounds, underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy in an emergency situation. Since Thursday evening, he has been struggling with excessive gas, and each time he attempts to release it, he also experiences a discharge of watery stool, which resembles diarrhea. This situation has made him quite irritable, as he is already dealing with the discomfort of recovery from the surgery; this is only heightening his frustration. Is this a typical occurrence? I advised him to reach out to his surgeon, but unfortunately, the surgeon is currently unavailable due to a vacation. I am concerned that this could signal a complication resulting from the surgery, although the surgeon had previously assured us that everything went well during the operation. He isn't currently on any medications and has discontinued his painkillers and muscle relaxants that were prescribed after the procedure. While he does consume alcohol, he has refrained from smoking since the surgery due to discomfort when he coughs. To manage the watery stool, he has taken Imodium, although it's not a constant issue—only when he attempts to pass gas does he experience this additional problem with stool.
Digestive Distress Concerns
My daughter, in her early twenties, has been generally in good health and maintains a normal weight. Recently, she began experiencing some troubling digestive issues, including nausea, painful gas, and alternating between constipation and diarrhea. After undergoing an endoscopy, the doctors were able to eliminate the possibilities of H. Pylori and ulcers, but we are still awaiting the results of her biopsies. To complicate matters, she's currently dealing with emetophobia and is seeing a therapist for that. I’m trying my best to remain positive, but I feel overwhelmed. I would appreciate any suggestions or insightful questions that I could bring up at her upcoming follow-up appointment. Thank you in advance for your help!