“I end up with loose motions every time I eat spicy food. Please advice what could be the reason for the same?”
I am having loose motions every time I eat spicy food. My stomach even hurts whenever I eat food with too much spices. While I can control it at home, when I go outside I am unable to eat anything due to this problem. What should I do?
3 Answers
You may try OTC H2 blockers or PPI for acid related causes. Seek GI assistance if this fails.
This sounds like you are experiencing a gastro-colic reflex (GCR): the stomach fills with food/liquid and the colon contracts to empty itself to make room for a meal working its way down the small intestine. This is a normal neurological reflex that cannot be easily prevented, and it can be more pronounced in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It tends to
happen more in restaurants because that food is often heavy in salt and fat content (which stimulate a stronger reflex) or we might tend to overeat (which also tends to stimulate a strong reflex). Spice alone may or may not do it, but spicy food that is also rich and heavy in oil, butter, etc., might stimulate a strong GCR. A hypersensitive stomach and colon can hurt after a meal - a classic symptom of dyspepsia and IBS respectively.
What to do? Eat smaller meals, avoid heavy, rich foods, try Imodium before a heavy meal. Another option is to see a GI doc for possible Rx treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.
happen more in restaurants because that food is often heavy in salt and fat content (which stimulate a stronger reflex) or we might tend to overeat (which also tends to stimulate a strong reflex). Spice alone may or may not do it, but spicy food that is also rich and heavy in oil, butter, etc., might stimulate a strong GCR. A hypersensitive stomach and colon can hurt after a meal - a classic symptom of dyspepsia and IBS respectively.
What to do? Eat smaller meals, avoid heavy, rich foods, try Imodium before a heavy meal. Another option is to see a GI doc for possible Rx treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.
Your symptoms need medical evaluation, but the most helpful thing to do is to avoid spicy food. Sometimes these symptoms may represent an underlying more serious condition.
