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What Are The Risks Of Developing Infections When Suffering From Frequent Diarrhea?
Question: I seem to have diarreah often for no apparent reason. A friend told me if you have it for an extended period time it can lead to even more serious infections in a person's body. Can you explain what type of other infections could result from this frequent issue?
Brief Answer:
Some information:
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX
Frequent diarrhea does not lead to serious infections. However, it is not normal to have frequent diarrhea and the cause should be looked into.
Sometimes people have persistent diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. It can also be from certain food intolerances, such as dairy or gluten (wheat, rye) intolerances. There can be inflammatory causes too such a Crohn's Disease. And people with irritable bowel syndrome can have predominantly diarrhea sometimes. It would also be a good idea to review your medications with your pharmacist and doctor to see if anything you are taking might cause diarrhea.
Usually if a person has had diarrhea for more than 3 weeks, we start to do a work up for it. This includes stool studies for infection that could be causing the diarrhea, and for the possibility of malabsorption.
Finally, if you have not had a recent colonoscopy, you may be advised to have one now.
So, while your diarrhea will not cause a serious infection, it is important to see why you are having diarrhea. So please make an appointment with your doctor.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Some information:
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX
Frequent diarrhea does not lead to serious infections. However, it is not normal to have frequent diarrhea and the cause should be looked into.
Sometimes people have persistent diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. It can also be from certain food intolerances, such as dairy or gluten (wheat, rye) intolerances. There can be inflammatory causes too such a Crohn's Disease. And people with irritable bowel syndrome can have predominantly diarrhea sometimes. It would also be a good idea to review your medications with your pharmacist and doctor to see if anything you are taking might cause diarrhea.
Usually if a person has had diarrhea for more than 3 weeks, we start to do a work up for it. This includes stool studies for infection that could be causing the diarrhea, and for the possibility of malabsorption.
Finally, if you have not had a recent colonoscopy, you may be advised to have one now.
So, while your diarrhea will not cause a serious infection, it is important to see why you are having diarrhea. So please make an appointment with your doctor.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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