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What Causes Episodes Of Diarrhea After Eating?
Question: I have had 2 episodes of diarrhea beginning 8 hours after eating well-cooked shiitake mushrooms. My wife who also ate the mushrooms is fine. I read on the North XXXXXXX xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx website that I need to have labwork to check my kidneys, liver, bleeding tendency and eosinophil levels. Do you agree?
Brief Answer:
No blood tests are needed, keep hydrated and good hygiene
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
If the mushrooms you had are shiitake than there are almost no health hazards specific to them and very likely there is nothing to worry. No blood tests are needed at the moment.
Diarrhea might be related to them or to other food and sometimes is difficult to know for sure as diarrhea can star from a few hours to a few days from the consumption of a certain food that might cause it. If your wife is fine after having the same food very likely the cause is not related to the mushrooms.
If you had diarrhea only twice in 8 hours and no blood or mucus with the diarrhea than very likely the cause of it is a viral infection that is a very common infection and self limiting- which means takes a few days and goes away on its own.
It is very important though that meanwhile you keep yourself hydrated by drinking well, having BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple, toast) and oral rehydration solutions and make sure you keep a good hygiene of your hands as you might be contagious and do not touch the food of other people while you still have diarrhea.
Generally no treatments for diarrhea are recommended but hydration and keeping good hygiene and seeing your doctor if no improvement in 3-4 days or earlier check if any worsening.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to ask if any more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
No blood tests are needed, keep hydrated and good hygiene
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
If the mushrooms you had are shiitake than there are almost no health hazards specific to them and very likely there is nothing to worry. No blood tests are needed at the moment.
Diarrhea might be related to them or to other food and sometimes is difficult to know for sure as diarrhea can star from a few hours to a few days from the consumption of a certain food that might cause it. If your wife is fine after having the same food very likely the cause is not related to the mushrooms.
If you had diarrhea only twice in 8 hours and no blood or mucus with the diarrhea than very likely the cause of it is a viral infection that is a very common infection and self limiting- which means takes a few days and goes away on its own.
It is very important though that meanwhile you keep yourself hydrated by drinking well, having BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple, toast) and oral rehydration solutions and make sure you keep a good hygiene of your hands as you might be contagious and do not touch the food of other people while you still have diarrhea.
Generally no treatments for diarrhea are recommended but hydration and keeping good hygiene and seeing your doctor if no improvement in 3-4 days or earlier check if any worsening.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to ask if any more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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I also read that hypotension may occur. My BP is 120/75 now and I am on medication for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. I also read that there are no interactions between shiitake mushrooms and medications on WebMD.com.I have had diarrhea 3 times total (3am, 6am, 9am). No blood or mucus was present. No nausea or vomiting either. I presume Lomotil is OK. I have had apple cider and toast for breakfast with no problems.Also, regarding a viral infection I feel fine other than the diarrhea. I do not have a fever or any other symptom.
I also read that hypotension may occur. My BP is 120/75 now and I am on medication for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. I also read that there are no interactions between shiitake mushrooms and medications on WebMD.com.I have had diarrhea 3 times total (3am, 6am, 9am). No blood or mucus was present. No nausea or vomiting either. I presume Lomotil is OK. I have had apple cider and toast for breakfast with no problems.Also, regarding a viral infection I feel fine other than the diarrhea. I do not have a fever or any other symptom.
Brief Answer:
No treatment seems to be needed; no interactions with the medications
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thank you for the reply.
Your blood pressure values are very good and you will need to use your blood pressure medications and the ones for the lipids as usual, no need to stop them and you are wright there is no interaction of the mushrooms with the blood pressure or lipid medications.
A virus can present with only just a mild diarrhea and sometimes patients have fever and nausea or vomiting or not, it is not always the same in every patient. It is good you are not developing fever because this way you will handle the diarrhea easier as fever increases dehydration and makes you feel worse.
Lomotil is a medication for diarrhea but in your case due to having hypertension on treatment and due to not having diarrhea more than 6-7 times a day (it is a mild diarrhea you are having) I would recommend that you to not take any treatment for it as they may have side effects while your diarrhea is not that bad.
As long as no blood and no mucus with the stool and no fever just go on with the usual things and keeping hydrated and seek medical attention if no improvement in 3-4 days or earlier if any worsening.
I hope this is helpful but please let me know in case of anymore clarification needed.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
No treatment seems to be needed; no interactions with the medications
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thank you for the reply.
Your blood pressure values are very good and you will need to use your blood pressure medications and the ones for the lipids as usual, no need to stop them and you are wright there is no interaction of the mushrooms with the blood pressure or lipid medications.
A virus can present with only just a mild diarrhea and sometimes patients have fever and nausea or vomiting or not, it is not always the same in every patient. It is good you are not developing fever because this way you will handle the diarrhea easier as fever increases dehydration and makes you feel worse.
Lomotil is a medication for diarrhea but in your case due to having hypertension on treatment and due to not having diarrhea more than 6-7 times a day (it is a mild diarrhea you are having) I would recommend that you to not take any treatment for it as they may have side effects while your diarrhea is not that bad.
As long as no blood and no mucus with the stool and no fever just go on with the usual things and keeping hydrated and seek medical attention if no improvement in 3-4 days or earlier if any worsening.
I hope this is helpful but please let me know in case of anymore clarification needed.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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