Other BAM symptoms are abdominal cramps, headache, and constant, foul-smelling gas. During a BAM flareup, you may have diarrhea very soon after eating. BAM is common among people who have Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. If you have either of these conditions, your risk of BAM is higher.
The SeHCAT test administers a dose of natural bile orally and measures how much is left after 7 days. If retention is low, then you probably have BAM. This test is not used in the U. S. The Serum 7αC4 test is a blood test that measures the amount of bile in your system. This is a common surrogate for the SeHCAT test. A 48-hour stool sample is another common test for BAM. Doctors will analyze the sample to determine if you’re excreting too much bile in your stool.
The most common sequestrant for BAM is cholestyramine. The doctor may prescribe this drug, or another of the same type. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you don’t like the taste of powder-form medication, you can mix it with a smoothie to mask the flavor and texture. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a sequestrant if they can’t diagnose BAM with certainty. If symptoms improve, then they treat that as an indirect confirmation of BAM.
Always ask your doctor if using anti-diarrheal medication is safe while taking sequestrants.
Give your doctor a complete list of any medications or supplements you are currently taking. This can help them determine which supplements you can use safely.
Particular foods that make BAM worse vary from person to person. Some common ones are spices, dairy, garlic, gluten, and highly processed foods. During a flareup, try eating at home to make sure your foods have ingredients that won’t upset your stomach.
Items to cut out are fried foods, red meat, desserts, butter and margarine, and processed foods. When you do consume fat, get it from healthy sources. The best sources of healthy fat are vegetable oils, avocados, lean meats like chicken, fish, nuts, and beans.
Foods highest in vitamin B12 are shellfish and fish. Beef and milk also have a good amount. [11] X Research source If you don’t get enough B12 from your diet, you can also take a supplement to replace the vitamin. Consult your doctor before starting on dietary supplements to confirm that they won’t interact with any medications you’re on. If you’re taking a bile acid sequestrant, your body may have trouble processing fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. Talk to your doctor about using a multi-vitamin and vitamin D replacement supplement while on these medications.
Only visit a licensed dietician. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics keeps a database of professional dieticians. To find one, type your zip code in at https://www. eatright. org/find-an-expert. You could also ask your doctor to refer you to a licensed dietician.
