My 81 year old mom complains of belly pain and "feeling lousy" most mornings. She moves her bowels several times over the course of about an hour and then is fine. She'll have breakfast and completely forget that she didn't feel good. Is this common for an Alzheimer's patient to equate the "need to go" with feeling lousy?
So if you are thinking your mom uses dairy with no problem and you ruled this out, but now she might have a problem, it might help to keep a food diary for a few weeks. Just a calendar or simple notebook where you jot down what she has eaten each day and then her elimination for that day. It can be as simple as a smiley face or frown on the calendar with a number. Like a (3 which could mean three uncomfortable bowel movements in a short time. It gives you a pattern to discuss with the doctor or nurse and ideas on what her sensitivity might be. Also check to see if you’ve recently changed products or an old favorite has been “ improved”. Old systems can be sensitive to change.
For my aunt (91) with dementia I added probiotics with her breakfast and fiber.
Prior to this she was constantly having nausea and bowel problems. No problem for a couple of years now. She once was a big milk drinker and stopped on her own. She still loves cottage cheese and sour cream and American cheese. No problem. I’m not sure what we would do if she had a wheat allergy because she eats so much bread.
Her diet is pretty standard fare, not much deviation. Your mom’s may be too.
I hope your mom feels better soon.
As can the cramping that can occur when a person has several bowel movements in a short time.
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Sometimes wheat products can do the same tap dance number on one's stomach.
Try eliminating dairy for two weeks and see if there is a difference. If no change, there is now a food allergy test that is easier than in years past. That would save time to see if there is another food that could be bothering your Mom.