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Hello Again. Further To My Problem Of Gastroenteritis This Last

Posted on Fri, 26 Mar 2021

Question: Hello again. Further to my problem of gastroenteritis this last week, yesterday I thought it was finished (5 days) but today I experienced loose stools with gurgling and mild cramps in the lower colon when having to move my bowels, though not as bad as it was last week, plus still reduced appetite (however no nausea, no pain, no blood, no vomiting, no fever, normal stool color but with odor). It all started last Wednesday. I have used Smecta and Imodium twice a day (which helps) except yesterday when I didn't need it. How long should this situation go on and where did it come from? Thank you to Dr. Biswas and Dr. Gurabardhi.

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 minute later)

I did not move my bowels at all yesterday, and had no symptoms yesterday at all.

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (4 hours later)

Just to update the doctor, I had recurrence of loose soft bowel movements of normal color with some cramps and gurgling tonight again and went 3 times after eating fairly normally today. It seems that the food is passing through quickly. So I now took two Imodiums. Very different than yesterday. I guess I will have to do a stool test tomorrow, but it certainly seems strange. Tomorrow will be a full week since it began.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Viral gastroenteritis possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think that the situation you are having today is related to the situation you have been this last 5 days.
This seems to be gastroenteritis or gastrointestinal tract infection possibly viral.
Taking imodium and smecta may have caused to be better yesterday.
I also recommend you to take probiotics such enterogerina or yovita.
Use food carefully not having much fruits and vegetables, avoid fruit juices, but more solid foods with less fibers.
You also can do a stool test tomorrow to check for possible other causes than viral infection.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (49 minutes later)

Thank you. How long is this likely to continue? The first day was the worst, and then the days got better but then what happened today. The color of the stool is always normal. An hour ago I went again with gurgling and small cramp. I took imodium 3 hours ago. Should it end after a full 7 days?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may last for 7 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think it will end after 7 days.
Continue taking probiotics and imodium.
I think you will feel better soon.
I believe it will not last more than 7 days. Take care of your diet too.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (10 hours later)

Thank you for your reply. I took 2 imodium last night and then 1 again in the early morning. I moved my bowels once at night and once now, and had no cramps or gurgling. The stool was almost normal. Is this improvement just because of the imodium or is it that the infection is now ending after 7 days? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The infection is ending.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think it can be from the infection ending taking count that you didn't need more imodium.
You may use probiotics to help your intestinal flora.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Prasad