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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea

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Posted on Thu, 27 Jul 2017
Question: Have bowel movements that may start the day normal but usually after that have loose, spindly stool and sometimes diarrhea several times a day and my stool and farts have a different acrid or sourer smell. Rarely any stomach issues. This has gone on for around 4 months. Stopped coffee, taken prevacid, avoided cashews which I thought I might be having a reaction to---all this after a few weeks or more has not impact. XXXX


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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Could be due to irritable bowel syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Your complaints could be consistent with irritable bowel syndrome. I would insist you to visit a doctor and to get evaluated.

You may benefit from the following dietary changes:
* Eliminating high-gas producing foods. If you have bothersome bloating or are passing considerable amounts of gas, your doctor may suggest that you cut out such items as carbonated beverages, vegetables especially cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower and raw fruits.
* Eliminating gluten may lead to improvement in diarrhea symptoms. Wheat, barley and rye are gluten containing foods.
* Eliminating FODMAPs. You may be sensitive to types of carbohydrates such as fructose, fructans, lactose and others, called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols).

You can benefit from the following types of medicines:
* Over-the-counter medications, such as loperamide (Imodium), can help control diarrhea. Some people will benefit from medications called bile acid binders, such as cholestyramine (Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid) or colesevelam (Welchol), but these can lead to bloating.
* If you have diarrhea and abdominal pain without depression, your doctor may suggest a lower than normal dose of tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor). Side effects of these drugs include drowsiness and constipation. SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) or paroxetine (Paxil), may be helpful if you're depressed and have pain and constipation.
* Antibiotics. Some people whose symptoms are due to an overgrowth of bacteria in their intestines may benefit from antibiotic treatment. Some people with symptoms of diarrhea have benefited from rifaximin (Xifaxan), but more research is needed.
* Counseling. You may benefit from counseling if you have depression or if stress tends to worsen your symptoms.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea

Brief Answer: Could be due to irritable bowel syndrome Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Your complaints could be consistent with irritable bowel syndrome. I would insist you to visit a doctor and to get evaluated. You may benefit from the following dietary changes: * Eliminating high-gas producing foods. If you have bothersome bloating or are passing considerable amounts of gas, your doctor may suggest that you cut out such items as carbonated beverages, vegetables especially cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower and raw fruits. * Eliminating gluten may lead to improvement in diarrhea symptoms. Wheat, barley and rye are gluten containing foods. * Eliminating FODMAPs. You may be sensitive to types of carbohydrates such as fructose, fructans, lactose and others, called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols). You can benefit from the following types of medicines: * Over-the-counter medications, such as loperamide (Imodium), can help control diarrhea. Some people will benefit from medications called bile acid binders, such as cholestyramine (Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid) or colesevelam (Welchol), but these can lead to bloating. * If you have diarrhea and abdominal pain without depression, your doctor may suggest a lower than normal dose of tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor). Side effects of these drugs include drowsiness and constipation. SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) or paroxetine (Paxil), may be helpful if you're depressed and have pain and constipation. * Antibiotics. Some people whose symptoms are due to an overgrowth of bacteria in their intestines may benefit from antibiotic treatment. Some people with symptoms of diarrhea have benefited from rifaximin (Xifaxan), but more research is needed. * Counseling. You may benefit from counseling if you have depression or if stress tends to worsen your symptoms. Let me know if I could help further. Regards