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[KAH]

Hi guys,
Just wondering if anyone experiences food being undigested and coming out in their poo? I've noticed lately that quite often red peppers, tomatoes and sweetcorn dont seem to digest fully. Then last night I ate a meal with carrot and sweet potato in and a while ago it came out pretty much intact! (sorry tmi!!!). Just wondering if it's the stomach slowing down, although I've just read online that it should take 24-36hrs for the food to be digested, obviously that was just last night. So far I'd had a good day with pretty much no anxiety, until that happened, it doesn't help my fear of stomach/pancreatic cancer!!! TIA X

[greenECLECtus28]

As far as I'm aware what you are seeing is probably the undigested parts of these veg that pass through as roughage which is what you want I get this especially with sweet corn and tomatoes peppers I have always assumed it's the bits that are of no use nutritionally and the body just gets rid 

I always thought food passed through the stomach in round about 6-8 hours the rest of the time i.e. The 24/36 is everything passing through your digestive system which will vary a lot depending on your diet i.e. Whether you eat a lot of fruit/veg or simple foods like mashed potatoes or more easily digestible food which will pass through much more quickly as there is much less to digest!

Also I find that if I'm drinking a lot of water food passes though quicker as well

[Taz2]

It is normal for some food to still be detectable. Tomato seeds for example, sweetcorn, mushroom, seeds from seeded bread etc.

This leaflet is for people with bowel problems and also for those who have had bowel surgery but it does explain how the bowel works. If you scroll down to "content" you will find that undigested food particles are normal. A lot of it is to do with chewing by the way - each mouthful should really be chewed until it is almost liquid if you really want to help your tummy and bowels in their work https://www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/_uploads/documents/leaflets/continence-care/continence-care-bowel-health-mch298.pdf

Taz x

[Lizab]

I notice I have to be certain to chew thoroughly now or I'll have undigested and diarrhea. I've not worried about it, chalked it down to another quirk of aging. No more gulping down food in a rush or my body will push it straight through in a rush as well!

[CLKD]

Yep.  When my dog ate sweetcorn it went straight through  and 4 me, beetroot in particular isn't digested.  Also, my morning mixed cereal grains that I have daily often passes through 

[KAH]

Thank you for your replies. I think I was more worried about how quickly they came back out the other end! However having sat and thought about it, I imagine my extremely high anxiety levels this week have probably sped things up a little!!!! Thanks again, you guys are literally keeping me sane at the moment 😘

[Cassie]

Please make sure that you take a good probiotic it makes a huge difference.

[KAH]

Hi dear,

You are having digestive issues, that's obvious (in your other thread you were concerned with pancreatic cancer). We can't know what it is without a thorough investigation. Anxiety often afftects the GI tract but it's worth checking if you don't have any other underlying issues. When are you scheduled for an apt.?

I don't want you to get more anxious, my advice is to write down all your symptoms even if they don't seem to be connected and take your notes to your gp. That's a wonderful diagnostic helping tool.

On a side note:

Many years ago I had something similar and a team of docs were very concerned (they even thought I could have AIDS) because of weight loss (which was really poor digestion). It turned out to be a parasite called Giardia lamblia. It didn't show on the first stool tests but eventually, there it was, the nasty thing. A course of strong drugs did the job. This parasite is not usual in developed countries so most docs had no idea about it. Some know how to recognise it as an acute infection, but the chronic type is another story. I spent months in misery until I had the diagnosis.

Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you, yes I freaked out due to heartburn which I'd never had before!! I've also got left handed back/rib pain which was the reason for the worry about stomach/pancreatic cancer. I've been docs twice in the last week 😳, and he's assured me I have nothing to worry about as I have no weight loss, lumps or bumps and no other worrying symptoms. Strangely (or not so!), I've had no heartburn problems since leaving his office the 2nd time!
He said I was to go back if symptoms persisted and he'd refer me for camera into stomach. So yes, I'll make a note of anything worrying for the next few weeks and will take it with me if I need to go back.
Why did undigested food in stools make them think you had aids? I didn't realise that was a symptom (don't worry I won't start fretting about aids, Ive been with hubby for 21yrs!) x

[KAH]

Please make sure that you take a good probiotic it makes a huge difference.

I just started back on Acidophilus Extra 10 a week ago. Hope that's going to help! Thanks chick x

[Hurdity]

Not sure I want to discuss my stools on a public forum but here goes!! The content of mine varies according to what I eat and what sort of transit my bowels are doing at the time - since they vary between fast and slow as i imagine they do with most people. When they are on a slow phase - there is nothing detectable. When they are on a fast phase - then anything comes through - tomato skins, sweet-corn, beetroot, various seeds etc. I eat loads of fruit and veg so bound to happen really. Also a lot of eggs which can have the opposite effect. If there is a consistent change in your bowel habit and stools then do consult your doctor - otherwise go with the flow  .

I haven't heard of Giardia so looked it up and no wonder - as UK is not one of the countries affected (except as one-offs) - although it is prevalent in S America amongst other places.

Hurdity x

[KAH]

Not sure I want to discuss my stools on a public forum but here goes!! The content of mine varies according to what I eat and what sort of transit my bowels are doing at the time - since they vary between fast and slow as i imagine they do with most people. When they are on a slow phase - there is nothing detectable. When they are on a fast phase - then anything comes through - tomato skins, sweet-corn, beetroot, various seeds etc. I eat loads of fruit and veg so bound to happen really. Also a lot of eggs which can have the opposite effect. If there is a consistent change in your bowel habit and stools then do consult your doctor - otherwise go with the flow  .

I haven't heard of Giardia so looked it up and no wonder - as UK is not one of the countries affected (except as one-offs) - although it is prevalent in S America amongst other places.

Hurdity x

Thank you Hurdity. Yes I eat a lot of fruit and veg too, as you say its inevitable that some will come back through!!

[KAH]

Oh dear, you've got me wrong... the weight loss was the symptom they were worried about and thought it could be AIDS...

Back to your symptoms... did your gp check you for gallbladder problems?

If you google Giardia UK you will find it... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2520986/You-catch-giardia-drinking-British-water-foreign-parasite-giardia-lamblia.html

Goodness me, that sounds awful! I'd never heard of it.
No, he didn't, I thought gallbladder was right handed pain?

[KAH]

Yes but it can have different presentations as in referred pains.

Ah right, I'll keep a note of aches and pains and if I need to go back, I'll bring that up. Thank you x

[KAH]

And if you feel or find anything unusual or just need to talk it through, I'll do mu best to help you.

🤗

Bless you, thank you so much xxx

[CLKD]

Many Far Eastern Prisoners of War came 'home' with a gut parasite - after nearly 30 years it was noted by an Australian Surgeon of Tropical Diseases who came to the UK and started a diagnostic and treatment programme ......... 3 sulphur-based tablets did the trick!