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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Diarrhea

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Posted on Thu, 12 Nov 2015
Question: Have a problem with my bowels,
bowel movements seemed to have changed a bit. movements for the last 3 to 4 weeks have been more to the side of diarrhea or watery stools and it usually does not last this long. I suffer from iBS and have been issues with many foods and was tested for food intolerances. Have also been stressed lately due to finances and having lost my job a while ago
First couple of weeks, was also experiencing stomach discomfort and pain when my bowel movements changed and feeling of nausea/sick. Went to see my GP who said she felt it was inflammatory/an infection but I have finished my course of antibiotics and my bowel habits do not seem to have returned to normal. Usually as I said it does not last this long.
As a general rule due to having IBS, my bowel habits are never good because I have been diagnosed with anismus (old term) and therefore can not properly empty whenever I need to go to the toilet but lately it has seemed different than usual but also because it has lasted a little longer.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Workup of chronic diarrhea is needed

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!

Based on the history you have shared, it can be a sequalae of IBS or food intolerance but since you are avoiding the possible or identified allergens or irritants, ( aren't you? ) it makes it less likely.

Acute gastroenteritis or infective diarrhea usually don't last such long. If it is lasting for 3-4 weeks, the best line of management should base upon stool routine examination and microscopy alongwith cultures and senstivity to isolate the bacteria or find the ovum of microbes, or can even islotae giardia and use antibiotics according to reports. If it doesn't reveal anything consult your gastroentrologist for any need of colonoscopy.

Meanwhile also look for any signs of malabsorption, as such long standing diarrhea may induce water, electrolytes, minerals and essential vitamins loss. Keep replacing the water and salts with Oral rehydration salts, and use soft diets for few days and avoid gastric irritants like fizzy drinks, high fats and protein diets alongwith vegetable seeds. For cramp, using mebeverine may help alongwith using adsorbents like ispaghol husk.

Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (12 hours later)
Hi Doctor,
In answer to your question, no I have not actually been avoiding the said irritants or whatever I am intolerant to. The reason for this is that I was tested intolerant for gluten and it has been hard for me to avoid this altogether so in answer to your question, no I haven't avoided any of the foods that I should be avoiding. I notice interestingly though, (and this morning also) my stomach feels tender and hurts if I touch it. the stomach pain which ranges from upper stomach to lower abdomen has been regular since this problem started.
Not that this might be related but I have also had a problem with a left ovarian cyst that will be looked at shortly. At times I feel discomfort there and when I went to see my GP about the change in bowel habits and how I have been feeling, she said that the cyst wouldn't play a part unless it was pressing on something. but just thought I would mention it anyway.
thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You need to avoid gluten containing diets

Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Thanks for sharing the details.

If the cause is so clear to you that you are having gluten intolerance aka coeliec disease, you need to avoid any wheat product, Barley and oats and even if you can't resist these, gluten free flour is available at pharmacies and you can use those for baking purposes. If you didn't follow the strict food compliance, it can lead to severe side effects of gastric irritation, ulcers, bloating, intestinal hemorrhages and severe malabsorption syndromes. You need to consult a nutritionist to make a diet plan for you which should have variety and balanced nutritional requirements, as well as no monotony so that you shouldn't get bored of following strict diet controls.

Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3941 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Diarrhea

Brief Answer: Workup of chronic diarrhea is needed Detailed Answer: Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Based on the history you have shared, it can be a sequalae of IBS or food intolerance but since you are avoiding the possible or identified allergens or irritants, ( aren't you? ) it makes it less likely. Acute gastroenteritis or infective diarrhea usually don't last such long. If it is lasting for 3-4 weeks, the best line of management should base upon stool routine examination and microscopy alongwith cultures and senstivity to isolate the bacteria or find the ovum of microbes, or can even islotae giardia and use antibiotics according to reports. If it doesn't reveal anything consult your gastroentrologist for any need of colonoscopy. Meanwhile also look for any signs of malabsorption, as such long standing diarrhea may induce water, electrolytes, minerals and essential vitamins loss. Keep replacing the water and salts with Oral rehydration salts, and use soft diets for few days and avoid gastric irritants like fizzy drinks, high fats and protein diets alongwith vegetable seeds. For cramp, using mebeverine may help alongwith using adsorbents like ispaghol husk. Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.