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What Should I Do About Persistent Watery Stool For Close To Two Weeks
Question: I have had persistently watery stool for about 1.5 weeks. Sometimes my stomach is OK, sometimes it seems a little queasy. What should I do?
--Thanks,
XXXX
--Thanks,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
hold off solids, fluid replacement, probiotics, pepto bismol
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Diarrhea for this length of time can be annoying to any one.
In most cases it is due to an infection though there are other causes.
Infection can be viral or bacterial or fungal but viral is most common. In most persons it is self limiting lasting less than 2 weeks.
Treatment would consist of - (1) no solid food till there was a 4 hour window with no symptoms. The colon is not ready to absorb food and usually when solids are given, they would soon pass back out
When the 4 hour period passes, a small amount of dry solids should be used eg biscuits, toast, plain rice
(2) fluids to help replace electrolytes and fluids loss
(3) probiotics- either on their own or in yogurt
(4)meds such as peptobismol and dramamine to help with the diarrhea and nausea
The other causes are- (1) food intolerance
(2)thyroid disease
(3)irritable bowel syndrome
(4)side effect of medication
(5)diabetes and its affect on the nerves of the gut
For right now you should- Hold off solids until 4 hours with no symptoms, use probiotics and fluids.
24 hours of this with the medications.
If there is no improvement or there is any worsening then you should be seen. A stool sample may need to be sent to the lab.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
hold off solids, fluid replacement, probiotics, pepto bismol
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Diarrhea for this length of time can be annoying to any one.
In most cases it is due to an infection though there are other causes.
Infection can be viral or bacterial or fungal but viral is most common. In most persons it is self limiting lasting less than 2 weeks.
Treatment would consist of - (1) no solid food till there was a 4 hour window with no symptoms. The colon is not ready to absorb food and usually when solids are given, they would soon pass back out
When the 4 hour period passes, a small amount of dry solids should be used eg biscuits, toast, plain rice
(2) fluids to help replace electrolytes and fluids loss
(3) probiotics- either on their own or in yogurt
(4)meds such as peptobismol and dramamine to help with the diarrhea and nausea
The other causes are- (1) food intolerance
(2)thyroid disease
(3)irritable bowel syndrome
(4)side effect of medication
(5)diabetes and its affect on the nerves of the gut
For right now you should- Hold off solids until 4 hours with no symptoms, use probiotics and fluids.
24 hours of this with the medications.
If there is no improvement or there is any worsening then you should be seen. A stool sample may need to be sent to the lab.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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