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What Causes Persistent Diarrhea?
Posted on
Wed, 17 Feb 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 17 Feb 2016
Answered on
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I have had loose stools for the past few months. normal color no bleeding or mucous and only once a day with no cramping or any other issue. but they are always loose.
Brief Answer:
Possible Stress or diet as factors who activate bowel movement
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read carefully your question.
Lose stool once/day may be related to diet, stress or environmental factors.
It is not a sign of a problem if it doesn't happen more then 3 times/day, and if there is not blood or mucus, without cramps.
-- You can check your stool for parasites like giardia to make sure you haven't take it, but it should be very low possibility if it is not a common parasite in the area where you live.
-- Consider a Stool for ocult blood and a colonoscopy if you haven't done one in the last 10 years, so you rule out colon cancer.
-- Its important to drink plenty of fluids so you remain hydrated.
-- Be mindful of your diet and see what may make the stool lose. Foods with fibers, lots of carbohydrates, if you have added anything new in the diet?
-- Sometimes the body develops an intolerance from Milk products (lactose) and sometimes from Gluten. Try to have a diet without one or the other and if the bowel consistency then you have found the reason.
-- If worse or not better, consider seeing a gastro-enterologist who can do a general physical exam and recommend the necessary labs according the result of the exam.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Possible Stress or diet as factors who activate bowel movement
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read carefully your question.
Lose stool once/day may be related to diet, stress or environmental factors.
It is not a sign of a problem if it doesn't happen more then 3 times/day, and if there is not blood or mucus, without cramps.
-- You can check your stool for parasites like giardia to make sure you haven't take it, but it should be very low possibility if it is not a common parasite in the area where you live.
-- Consider a Stool for ocult blood and a colonoscopy if you haven't done one in the last 10 years, so you rule out colon cancer.
-- Its important to drink plenty of fluids so you remain hydrated.
-- Be mindful of your diet and see what may make the stool lose. Foods with fibers, lots of carbohydrates, if you have added anything new in the diet?
-- Sometimes the body develops an intolerance from Milk products (lactose) and sometimes from Gluten. Try to have a diet without one or the other and if the bowel consistency then you have found the reason.
-- If worse or not better, consider seeing a gastro-enterologist who can do a general physical exam and recommend the necessary labs according the result of the exam.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Answered by
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