Diarrhea vs Constipation

[goatmanvevo]

I’ve had chronic constipation for years, and it got worse when about 5 months ago I’d also have blood on the stools (typically medium to bright red and a smallish amount). I got diagnosed with celiac a little over a month ago and have been gluten free since then. Yesterday, I had diarrhea for the first time in years, and it’s happened a few times since then. I know diarrhea can be a symptom of celiac, but in my case, is this possibly a sign of healing given the change? Also, why does celiac cause constipation for some and diarrhea for others? Is it common for it to switch like this?

[Scott Adams]

It's great that you're seeing changes after going gluten-free! Diarrhea can indeed be a symptom of celiac disease, especially during the initial stages of gluten elimination. It might indicate your body's response to the dietary change and the healing process underway. Celiac disease can affect people differently, causing constipation in some and diarrhea in others. This variation can occur due to factors like individual sensitivity levels, gut microbiota, and immune responses. It's not uncommon for symptoms to shift as your body adjusts to the gluten-free diet and begins to heal.

 

[knitty kitty]

@goatmanvevo, 

You may want to keep a food-mood-poo'd diary.  Tracking irritating foods is much easier with a diary and helpful to doctors and nutritionists.  

Sometimes while healing we can react to other foods.  Eggs, soy, and other grains like corn may be difficult to digest and may provoke gastrointestinal symptoms.  Lactose intolerance or a reaction to Casein is possible and can cause diarrhea.  

Chronic constipation can be a symptom of magnesium and thiamine deficiencies.  Supplementation with a B Complex and minerals like magnesium to boost your absorption is beneficial.  Discuss checking for deficiencies with your doctor.  

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Mari]

Hi Goatmanvivo,

When I worked in medical labs we would examine fecal samples routinely noting the color, consistency and whether there was any blood or undigested food observed. Fresh blood as you described  was noted as was an occult blood test reported. Fresh blood is usually from the large intestine and older (occult) blood is an indication that the blood becomes mixed with the feces much higher in the intestine and has lost its bright red color. Health providers are always interested when any blood is seen in a person's stool and will want to find out why it is there. Just because you have celiac disease does not mean you should ignore this. 

 

I also had and still have problems with constipation. It is easier to deal with when it is large intestine constipation because I can use a magnesium supplement  either increasing my usual amount or using Milk of Magnesia. When I have inflammation in my small intestine I use a herbal laxative. Magnesium draws water into the large intestine only. Herbal laxatives increase the mobility of feces in the whole intestine. The herbal laxatives tend to become addictive so are used occasionally. I have also found it helps to drink more water. Just plain water.

 

Hope this helps.

[brian1]

I had this but I did not get it all the time I got constipation when stopped  gluten so I started eating more bananas and tried a couple doses of movicol this seemed to make my motion worse and gooie like I was advised by a doctor to stop the banana an movicoland see what happens you cannot seem to win I also beleave gluten-free foods deplete the b vitamins in the body and brain it explains a lot of things

[brian1]

I don't know about the healing though

[knitty kitty]

9 hours ago, brian1 said:

I also beleave gluten-free foods deplete the b vitamins in the body and brain it explains a lot of things

Yes, gluten free processed foods are not required by law to be enriched or fortified with essential vitamins lots during processing like gluten based processed foods are.  

Plus gluten free processed foods are made with lots of added sugars, and saturated unhealthy fats which require higher doses of Thiamine to turn into energy for our bodies.  

Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533683/

@Mari,

Taking additional thiamine (benfotiamine) will help improve constipation and gut motility.