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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Loose Stools

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Posted on Tue, 10 Nov 2015
Question: I am having chronic loose stools. Undigested material such as seeds, corn, etc. What could be causing this or how do I check on it?
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Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Needs work up for chronic diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Chronic loose stools with undigested & partially digested food products in it needs evaluation and categorization and then managed accordingly.

Every loose stools is chronic diarrhea if lasted more than 4 weeks. Sorting out the type of diarrhea whether watery , fatty ( malabsorption ) or inflammatory and has its own causes .

In old people watery diarrhea is common and is common due to either microscopic colitis or an inflammatory bowel syndrome. Apart from it there is long list of possibilities in each type and needs work up to rule out and minimize the differentials.

You need baseline work up like complete blood count, albumin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function testing, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and electrolyte levels, stool routine exam, fecal ph test, fecal screen for laxative toxins and colonic transit studies etc.

Talk to your gastroenterologist and let them decide what is best for you.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Loose Stools

Brief Answer: Needs work up for chronic diarrhea Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Chronic loose stools with undigested & partially digested food products in it needs evaluation and categorization and then managed accordingly. Every loose stools is chronic diarrhea if lasted more than 4 weeks. Sorting out the type of diarrhea whether watery , fatty ( malabsorption ) or inflammatory and has its own causes . In old people watery diarrhea is common and is common due to either microscopic colitis or an inflammatory bowel syndrome. Apart from it there is long list of possibilities in each type and needs work up to rule out and minimize the differentials. You need baseline work up like complete blood count, albumin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function testing, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and electrolyte levels, stool routine exam, fecal ph test, fecal screen for laxative toxins and colonic transit studies etc. Talk to your gastroenterologist and let them decide what is best for you. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan