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Suggest Remedies For Severe Diarrhea

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Posted on Wed, 4 Jan 2017
Question: I have had limited diarrhea for about a month now. Connected with this is a small gut pain throughout the day travelling from my upper ab to my sides in some cases. I have lost almost 10 pounds and have been to the walk in clinic twice with no definitive diagnosis.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
different possible causes

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Probiotics are thought to be helpful with diarrhea because they normalize the intestinal bacteria.

Chronic diarrhea refers to diarrhea that has lasted at least 4 weeks. Since your symptoms have been ongoing for a month, you can be said to have chronic diarrhea.

There are different causes and it is possible that the blood tests that you had done would have taken a look at some of these.
Some of the more common causes are: (1) infection

(2)irritable bowel syndrome (ibs)

(3)endocrine causes such as hyperthyroidism- high levels of thyroid hormone

(4)diabetes- this is in persons with a history of uncontrolled diabetes. Complications involving the nervous system of the gut can result in diarrhea

(5)side effect of medication

(6)food intolerance or allergy- a food diary for 1 to 2 weeks may help to determine if it is related to food used

(7)inflammatory bowel disease eg crohns or ulcerative colitis

The investigations are normally directed towards identifying if it is one of these or related to other issues.
INvestigations would include complete blood count, ESR/c reactive protein (these looks for inflammation in the body), thyroid function tests, possible screening for diabetes if needed.
Stool tests would look for infection

Review all medications

Imaging of the colon may also be needed if this has not be done recently.

TREATment: (1)this is generally directed towards a specific cause if possible
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(2)There are meds that can decrease diarrhea eg peptobismol, lomotil, high fiber diet and supplements may help bulk up the stool
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Severe Diarrhea

Brief Answer: different possible causes Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Probiotics are thought to be helpful with diarrhea because they normalize the intestinal bacteria. Chronic diarrhea refers to diarrhea that has lasted at least 4 weeks. Since your symptoms have been ongoing for a month, you can be said to have chronic diarrhea. There are different causes and it is possible that the blood tests that you had done would have taken a look at some of these. Some of the more common causes are: (1) infection (2)irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) (3)endocrine causes such as hyperthyroidism- high levels of thyroid hormone (4)diabetes- this is in persons with a history of uncontrolled diabetes. Complications involving the nervous system of the gut can result in diarrhea (5)side effect of medication (6)food intolerance or allergy- a food diary for 1 to 2 weeks may help to determine if it is related to food used (7)inflammatory bowel disease eg crohns or ulcerative colitis The investigations are normally directed towards identifying if it is one of these or related to other issues. INvestigations would include complete blood count, ESR/c reactive protein (these looks for inflammation in the body), thyroid function tests, possible screening for diabetes if needed. Stool tests would look for infection Review all medications Imaging of the colon may also be needed if this has not be done recently. TREATment: (1)this is generally directed towards a specific cause if possible l (2)There are meds that can decrease diarrhea eg peptobismol, lomotil, high fiber diet and supplements may help bulk up the stool