Having Severe Bouts Of Diarrhea Come And Go. What May Be The Cause?

Posted on Thu, 8 Aug 2013

Question: Without any explainable reason, severe bouts of diarrhea come and go. What May be the cause?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (2 hours later)

Hi !

Thank you for your query.

Dear Madam ,

Well looking into your question there can be many causes for chronic diarrhoea and it will be very difficult to say anything just on the basis of history but we can discuss the possibilities.

Chronic diarrhea is defined as a decrease in stool consistency for more than four weeks . Blood work up for investigations includes a complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function testing, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and electrolyte levels. A stool routine microscopy looking for cysts , any blood etc.

A fecal leukocyte level and fecal occult blood test is advised. Fecal calprotectin is useful in identifying IBD. Clostridium difficile stool toxin should be obtained for diarrhea after antibiotic use. IBS , that is irritable bowel syndrome needs to be ruled out but that is more common in young patients .A testing to rule out HIV is also advisable .

I advise you to see a gastroenterologist for detailed evaluation . Considering your age I would suggest you for conservative management as far as possible . Taking prebiotic and probiotic is beneficial . Avoid any spicy and fried food .

Wish you good health.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

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