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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Diarrhea
Question: Seem to have some sort of bug.for a couple weeks I am regular to the toilet maybe up to 10 times a day,not producing much but having a bit of wind,,It seems to be more regular when I'm out and about..sometimes runny but never a lot.
Brief Answer:
there are various potential causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
having diarrhea for a couple of weeks is not the most common presentation of diarrhea and requires investigation. If you have any prior medical history, it would be helpful to know, including any drugs you may use.
If you're otherwise healthy and have no other symptoms then the most appropriate initial assessment should include the following:
- stool culture for common pathogens
- stool microscopy - including examination for ova and parasites
- HIV test
- a general check-up with complete blood count, ESR, CRP, urea, creatinine, electrolytes, liver function tests and amylase
- clinical examination data
- interviewing to identify potential causes like intolerance to certain food or irritable bowel syndrome.
Since you're 56 years old, a colonoscopy would be helpful to exclude visible lesions in the intestinal lumen. The colonoscopy is recommended anyway (even without any symptom) for individuals over 50 years of age (every 5 years) as a screening test for colon cancer.
So in conclusion, a detailed investigation is required to identify some of the most common causes (infections by parasites or other pathogens, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc). The treatment should be withheld until the diagnosis has been established.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
there are various potential causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
having diarrhea for a couple of weeks is not the most common presentation of diarrhea and requires investigation. If you have any prior medical history, it would be helpful to know, including any drugs you may use.
If you're otherwise healthy and have no other symptoms then the most appropriate initial assessment should include the following:
- stool culture for common pathogens
- stool microscopy - including examination for ova and parasites
- HIV test
- a general check-up with complete blood count, ESR, CRP, urea, creatinine, electrolytes, liver function tests and amylase
- clinical examination data
- interviewing to identify potential causes like intolerance to certain food or irritable bowel syndrome.
Since you're 56 years old, a colonoscopy would be helpful to exclude visible lesions in the intestinal lumen. The colonoscopy is recommended anyway (even without any symptom) for individuals over 50 years of age (every 5 years) as a screening test for colon cancer.
So in conclusion, a detailed investigation is required to identify some of the most common causes (infections by parasites or other pathogens, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc). The treatment should be withheld until the diagnosis has been established.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had a scan regarding colonoscopy abut 6 months ago as every 3 years I need this as my father died of colon cancer,,everything was fine then
Brief Answer:
OK then you have to proceed with the rest
Detailed Answer:
I see. The negative colonoscopy 6 months ago is very reassuring. The rest of the tests have to be done too.
Kind regards!
OK then you have to proceed with the rest
Detailed Answer:
I see. The negative colonoscopy 6 months ago is very reassuring. The rest of the tests have to be done too.
Kind regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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