83yr old dad

[jules2551]

Within the last year my Father has had problems with his bowels. They have become uncontrollable.  He also has offensive body odor and breath.  He has never been dx with IBS but am looking for answers.  History...5 bypasses, on beta blockers, thyroid meds 50 mg, basic vitamins.  I double checked the interactions with drugs and nothing came up as red flags.  He passed out due to dehydration, called 911 and stayed all night, and they ran a series of tests.  Nothing came up abnormal.  He has been to GI for colonoscopy and endo...evything normal except irritation in the esophogus.  Put him on Prilosec.  He is constantly burping and belching also.  GP is telling me this is part of the aging process which i dont like.  He eats a very well balanced diet and walks 2 miles on the treadmill everyday.  He is showing signs of dementia/alzheimers in the early morning.  I am at a loss here.  Any other tests i should have run?

[jules2551]

Thanks Dr I appreciate the information!

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Have a stool examination done.  His symptoms could be due to malabsorption, stool examination which will reveal fat malabsorption. Also, bacterial overgrowth can cause the foul smell and is tested with a breath test. Sometimes, amebiasis can cause the symptoms described. Amoebiasis is an infection of the intestines and it is treated with metronidazole. It can be detected by a stool examination. So, have a hemogram, urine and stool tests done. Please discuss these issues with your primary care physician when you happen to meet him. In the meantime keep checking his weight and include plenty of natural yogurt with his meals.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[jules2551]

Forgot to ask?  Are there any other tests i can have run?  Thank you!