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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Diarrhea While On Imodium
Posted on
Thu, 31 Dec 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 31 Dec 2015
Answered on
Fri, 22 Jan 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My norm: most BMs usually kind of loose; I take Immodium 1-2X wk. For 3-4 wks, pain, looser BMs. 1 Hycosamine helps a bit for 2-3 days. Feel run down.
Brief Answer:
Need to go in to doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Having diarrhea/loose stools that go on for more than 3 weeks requires a work up. Have you had stool studies done? These should be started now. And if these don't reveal any source of infection, a consult with a gastroenterolgist would be helpful.
There are many causes of loose stools including malabsorption problems and food intolerances such as to wheat and dairy. There are also abnormalities of the intestines such as Crohns and Ulcerative colitis.
Imbalances in the microbiome (micororganisms that live in the gut) can happen particularly after antibiotics and probiotics can help.
Thyroid disorder can also cause loose stools.
So, if you came to me in clinic at this point, I would first get vitals including temperature to see if you have low grade fevers, review any meds or supplements you take to see if they might be the cause, examine your abdomen, and order stool studies, a complete blood count (can show anemia and signs of infection), thyroid panel, and chemistry panel (to see if the diarrhea is giving you low potassium), and blood test for Celiac disease.
Depending on these, I might also refer you to a gastroenterologist.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Need to go in to doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Having diarrhea/loose stools that go on for more than 3 weeks requires a work up. Have you had stool studies done? These should be started now. And if these don't reveal any source of infection, a consult with a gastroenterolgist would be helpful.
There are many causes of loose stools including malabsorption problems and food intolerances such as to wheat and dairy. There are also abnormalities of the intestines such as Crohns and Ulcerative colitis.
Imbalances in the microbiome (micororganisms that live in the gut) can happen particularly after antibiotics and probiotics can help.
Thyroid disorder can also cause loose stools.
So, if you came to me in clinic at this point, I would first get vitals including temperature to see if you have low grade fevers, review any meds or supplements you take to see if they might be the cause, examine your abdomen, and order stool studies, a complete blood count (can show anemia and signs of infection), thyroid panel, and chemistry panel (to see if the diarrhea is giving you low potassium), and blood test for Celiac disease.
Depending on these, I might also refer you to a gastroenterologist.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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