What Causes Constant Diarrhea When Diagnosed With Autoimmune Disease?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jun 2016

Question: I've had diarrhea for about a month. Its gotten to the point now that i can control my bowels and just bought adult underwear because I'm having accidents with bowels and gas. i suffer from an autoimmune disease which they have yet to really figure out what i have and its been 3 years. i take about 8 to 9 pills a day.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
chronic diarrhea- different possible causes

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

At this stage, your diarrhea would be described as chronic (diarrhea 4 weeks or more).

There are different possible causes such as: (a) infection

(b)inflammatory bowel disease such as crohns disease and ulcerative colitis

(c)hormonal conditions such as high thyroid hormones, diabetes

(d)side effect of medication eg antibiotics, anti acids, NSAIDS in some persons.
You may want to review your medications to see if diarrhea is a side effect

(e)irritable bowel syndrome

(f)allergies or intolerance to certain foods, lactose intolerance

(g)presence of benign (non cancer) growths/polyps

(h)disease of the pancreas

(i)celiac disease

To determine the cause, your doctor would need to assess you.

This would include: (A)stool analysis- would determine if diarrhea is due to poor absorption (malabsorption diarrhea), infection. Would look for parasites and bacteria as well.

(B)blood tests to check to make sure that you are still well hydrated though you have the chronic diarrhea and to check the levels of electrolytes

(C) you may also need to be scoped if this has not been done recently- colonoscopy

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar