[31M] Experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms with recent weight loss

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, and weight loss. It's usually a chronic condition, but many people experience periods of worse or milder symptoms.

  • Treatment for IBS often includes dietary changes, medication, and managing stress.

• Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is particularly common and is often referred to as stomach flu.

  • Treatment for gastroenteritis typically involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies.

• Food Intolerance: This occurs when your body can't properly digest and convert the foods you eat into the necessary nutrients that fuel your system. This can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss.

  • Treatment for food intolerance usually involves avoiding certain types of foods that trigger symptoms.

• Malabsorption syndromes: Conditions like Celiac disease or Pancreatic insufficiency can cause your body to not properly absorb nutrients from the food you eat, leading to weight loss, diarrhea, and gas.

  • Treatment for malabsorption syndromes depends on the underlying cause and often involves dietary changes and sometimes medication.

What you can do

While waiting for a formal assessment from a healthcare professional, you can:

1. Keep a food diary to track what you eat and when you experience symptoms. This might help identify potential triggers or patterns.
2. Stay hydrated, especially if you're experiencing diarrhea.
3. Try over-the-counter remedies for gas and bloating.
4. Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large meals a day.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Notice blood in your stool
• Experience severe abdominal pain
• Have a high fever (temperature over 100.4°F)
• Notice your symptoms getting significantly worse

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.