Seeking Guidance for My Health Issues
Greetings, doctor. I am reaching out for advice or recommendations. As a vegetarian college student from India, I have encountered some health challenges that I hope you could assist me with. I've struggled with being underweight for many years; I've been slim since I was about ten years old. Currently, I stand at 5 feet 11 inches tall but weigh only 44 kilograms. This weight has remained unchanged for the last three years, showing no sign of variation. I want to clarify that my eating habits aren’t the problem; I consume meals regularly. However, I suspect that the primary issue lies with my severe acidity, which makes it difficult for me to digest heavier foods such as soy products and paneer. Every time I attempt to eat these, I immediately feel nauseated. Spicy dishes often provoke the same reaction. Additionally, traveling or dining out frequently exacerbates these symptoms, leading me to avoid social gatherings and trips with friends. I've also noticed a consistent pattern: walking after a meal almost always results in discomfort or a queasy feeling. I've consulted a gastroenterologist, and after undergoing several tests, they diagnosed me with lactose intolerance. I have tried medication and dietary adjustments for about a year, but it seems that nothing has made a significant difference. If anyone has suggestions or insights, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you! 🙏
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 8:30:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're facing quite a few challenges related to your health, particularly with maintaining a healthy weight and dealing with digestive discomfort. Here are the main points we'll address: your underweight status, difficulties with certain foods due to acidity and lactose intolerance, and how this impacts your social life.
Explanation
Being underweight, especially if it has been a longstanding issue, can lead to various health problems, including nutritional deficiencies. Given your height and weight, it's important to approach this with a strategy that focuses on both weight gain and managing your acidity.
Acidity and lactose intolerance are contributing factors to your discomfort after eating. It’s understandable that experiencing nausea and discomfort can deter you from consuming nutritious foods. Since you mentioned that heavy foods like soy and paneer cause issues, we’ll explore alternatives that could help you maintain or increase your weight without exacerbating your symptoms.
Next Steps
-
Focus on Caloric Density:
- Incorporate calorie-dense foods that are easy on your stomach. These include avocados, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils (like olive oil). You might try smoothies with fruits, spinach, and nut butter to pack in nutrients in a gentle way.
-
Monitor Portion Sizes and Frequency:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than larger ones. This approach can help manage your acidity and make it easier to digest food without feeling overwhelmed.
-
Identify Triggers and Modify Diet:
- Keep a food diary to track which foods cause discomfort. If certain spices or foods trigger your acidity, it's best to avoid them. Consider cooking meals that are bland and easy to digest, like plain rice with steamed vegetables.
-
Consult on Digestive Support:
- Herbal remedies like ginger tea (if it’s tolerable for you) could help soothe the stomach. Over-the-counter antacids may offer relief from acidity but consult your gastroenterologist for tailored advice regarding their use.
-
Exercise Considerations:
- Gentle movement like walking is beneficial, but aim to wait at least an hour after meals before engaging in any activity. Experiment with stretching or light yoga to ease discomfort without aggravating it.
-
Social Strategies:
- When dining out, consider choosing simple dishes without spicy or heavy sauces. Communicate your dietary restrictions with friends, so they understand your preferences.
-
Nutritional Counseling:
- If possible, seek help from a registered dietitian. They can provide personalized meal plans considering your dietary restrictions and weight goals.
By taking these steps, you should start to see improvements in your symptoms and possibly your weight over time. Remember that small, consistent changes often yield the best results. Stay patient with yourself, and prioritize self-care as you navigate these challenges. Let me know if you have any further questions or need more detailed advice on any specific area!
Related Questions
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Interpreting My Gastrointestinal Discomfort
A 26-year-old female, weighing 155 pounds, has a background of experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and anxiety. She has been using marijuana for several years and is currently taking venlafaxine at a dosage of 150 mg each day. Residing in the Midwest USA, she identifies as white. On January 20th, she experienced what she initially believed to be a low blood sugar episode. Due to being preoccupied and busy, she had not consumed much food throughout the day. Consequently, she felt lightheaded, nauseated, pale, and was sweating. To alleviate these symptoms, she consumed around 60 to 80 grams of carbohydrates once they began, but it took roughly 2.5 hours for her to start feeling better. The following day, she faced additional discomforts including nausea, heartburn, body aches, trembling with chills and sweats, along with diarrhea. These symptoms persisted for a few days. By January 23rd, she consulted urgent care, where the medical team suspected a stomach virus and advised her to let it run its course. Regrettably, her stomach has not returned to its normal state since that incident. She has been experiencing occasional heartburn and indigestion reminiscent of her previous severe GERD episodes. Additionally, she is suffering from lower abdominal cramps, particularly triggered by consuming items like popcorn or spicy foods, which feels akin to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. During the height of her symptoms on January 20th, she ceased smoking. She partook in smoking a few times between January 24th and 28th, without noticing any changes in her symptoms – positive or negative – and has refrained from smoking since then. It is worth noting that she has not experienced any vomiting or severe abdominal pain typically associated with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Are her symptoms indicative of CHS? She intends to abstain from smoking yet seeks clarity on the underlying cause of her discomfort. She has read about post-viral IBS and is curious if the suspected stomach virus has reignited her GERD, which had been stable for several years.
Exploring Probiotic Effects and Antibiotic Strategies in Gut Health
Greetings, M30. Is it possible that consuming an excess of probiotics could lead to SIBO or a similar condition? Earlier this summer, I suffered from a campylobacter infection, and in an attempt to remedy that without realizing its full extent, I resorted to high doses of probiotics. This approach, however, only aggravated my situation. I experienced severe bloating, intensified brain fog—especially after consuming carbohydrates—and following a comprehensive examination of possible causes, including an initially misleading negative test for c. jejuni that later revealed IgG antibodies in my blood, I was prescribed rifaximin (200mg four times a day). Unfortunately, after five days of rifaximin treatment, my symptoms escalated dramatically, resulting in excruciating lower abdominal pain and a marked intolerance to carbohydrates. Through my research, I discovered that the probiotic strains I had been using were sensitive to antibiotics, so I requested that my physician switch my medication to amoxicillin, which promptly resolved the issues I was facing. Complicating matters, I later learned that I had been contending with an acute bartonella infection, which likely contributed to my motility problems. As the year progressed, I indulged in kimchi after having been on antibiotics for bartonella treatment for about a month. However, I had to stop the antibiotics over the Christmas holidays when I developed rashes from herpes on my face and required alternative treatment. Following my kimchi overindulgence, I began to experience bloating again, cognitive fog intensified, and I felt a toxin-like sensation after consuming larger amounts of carbohydrates, alongside a newfound intolerance to wheat products. My doctor once again prescribed rifaximin as the primary treatment, but I am starting to notice that familiar acidic sensation in my abdomen returning. Is this reaction indicative of die-off symptoms, or could it mean that rifaximin is targeting competitors of the kimchi bacteria in my gut, resulting in their proliferation and creating a cycle where lactic acid bacteria alter the colon's pH, promoting further growth of lactic acid producers? I suspect this situation mirrors what transpired during the summer months. Would switching back to amoxicillin be advisable, or might I need to consider amoxiclav instead, given that the kimchi contained fish sauce which might be a source of beta-lactamase? Best wishes,
Understanding My Lack of Appetite
I’m a 14-year-old girl about to turn 15, standing at 155 cm (5' 1'') and weighing around 53-54 kg. My exact weight remains unclear since I am battling anorexia and have been advised against using the scale. I am currently on a regimen of antidepressants (150mg of semonic daily) and antipsychotics (15mg of olanzapine). Along with my eating disorder, I've struggled with self-harm and have been diagnosed with a conduct disorder (though I'm unsure if that is the correct term in English as I'm receiving treatment in Spain). In September, coinciding with the start of the school year, I experienced a relapse regarding my eating disorder. This phase lasted a few weeks until I transitioned to homeschooling. Initially, recovery felt manageable; I experienced satiety quickly, and I was relieved to allow myself to eat once more. However, I’ve noticed a significant decrease in my appetite. I rarely feel hungry, and even when I do, it doesn't seem to bother me. I’ve lost the desire for typical meals, though I still find myself yearning for snacks, particularly sweets or salty options, which are much more appealing and easier to consume. Foods like rice are particularly challenging; I have to push myself to continue eating them because they don't excite me at all. I’m uncertain if this change is due to some underlying issue or merely stress, although I don't currently feel stressed. Perhaps my lack of physical activity contributes to my diminished appetite, as I haven't been particularly active and might not need as much food as others. It’s also worth noting that I haven’t grown taller for about a year or two, remaining at 5' 1''. This situation wouldn’t be as concerning if I weren’t dealing with anorexia, allowing me to simply eat less. Yet, given my background, I require supervision at mealtimes, which complicates my relationship with food. Whenever I lack the desire to eat, those around me jump to the conclusion that I am relapsing, which I am not. I enjoy food tremendously, especially sweets, and I snack throughout the day. It’s just the full meals that elude my cravings completely.
Seeking Guidance for Persistent Abdominal Pain and Bowel Issues
I am a 54-year-old male reaching out to seek advice regarding ongoing complications related to bowel movement and abdominal discomfort. I have been experiencing a tendency for stools to become backed up in the ascending and transverse sections of my colon, coupled with persistent, diffuse pain in the central right side of my abdomen, particularly at the junction of the terminal ileum and cecum. The discomfort around the ileocecal valve manifests itself with noticeable grunting noises, especially after eating and during movement or when sitting upright. The pain intensifies with physical activity and tends to alleviate when I lie down. I frequently experience a nagging pressure in my lower abdomen, especially while standing or sitting. Following meals, I notice pain in the midgut area and at the terminal ileum-cecal juncture, surfacing about 30 to 60 minutes post-ingestion, alongside a late-day increase in tenderness in the ascending colon, which is exacerbated by movement or bending sideways. In a previous visit to the emergency department, a CT scan with contrast was performed, and the attending physician indicated that I was experiencing stool buildup without any obstruction. They noted an unusual angle concerning my terminal ileum's alignment with the cecum, suggesting it appeared taut. Unfortunately, this evaluation did not lead to any conclusive treatment or diagnosis, which leads me to wonder if there might be a congenital or mechanical issue at play in the ileocecal region. My medical tests have indicated elevated calprotectin levels of 804 and 360, alongside a C-reactive protein reading of 26. A CT angiogram on September 25 revealed the presence of stool in the terminal ileum, contributing to my concerns. I am inquiring whether there are additional tests I should consider beyond a supine CT. Thus far, I have undergone a CT scan with contrast, a CT enterography (which did not reveal Crohn’s disease), a pill camera test (the results were inconclusive), abdominal X-rays, and a Sitzmarker test (which passed through successfully). I have also had three colonoscopies; two of them were unable to navigate to the terminal ileum, while the last one managed to reach enough depth to perform a biopsy that revealed some minor erosions, supposedly related to stool buildup. I have not yet undergone any dynamic imaging or barium studies. My primary concern is that my symptoms are consistently recurring without any periods of relief or improvement. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions regarding further testing I should pursue prior to my upcoming gastrointestinal appointment. Thank you for your assistance!