What Causes Prolonged Diarrhea?

Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014

Question: I have had diahrea for three weeks. It is not unusual for me to have six-seven episodes in a twenty-four hour period. I am taking NSAID which I started in May and wonder if this is a side affect.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

At your age, long lasting diarrhea can be a symptom of partial bowels obstruction due to colon cancer. This is the first thing which needs to be ruled out. Especially if you have also blood in stool, bloating, cramps, weight loss, weakness.
Other possible reason of your diarrhea is bacterial infection. It is more possible if you have had any antibiotics course before it has started or have eaten some suspicious food.
I suggest you to do not wait any longer. Please consult your doctor. Stool tests, blood work and abdominal ultrasound should be done. Colonoscopy is also necessary.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (12 minutes later)

There is no blood in stool, bloating, weight loss or weakness. I had my last colonsocopy in 2012 and everything was fine. Does that make any difference wrt your response?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
Well, than it makes any colon issues less possible. Please start then with stool tests and antibiotics treatment. If this wont help, that colonoscopy should be done.
NSAIDs are rather not the reason.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar