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What Causes Watery Stools?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Jun 2014
Question: Ongoing (over 3 years) bowel problem. Loose ,watery stool each time. No urgency involved. Tried change in diet, eliminating some foods and adding others, also over the counter meds without success.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please, how often do you stool a day?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms that you have described. I hope we get to figure out what the exact cause is and propose helpful solutions to help you get over this.

I will like to know how often you get these watery stools in a day. Has the frequency and severity been the same over the years? Have you ever had any problems with your gall bladder or bouts of pancreatitis? Has your weight changed over this time?

In all, loose stools may be related to poor digestion, poor absorption or rapid movement through the intestines. In a good number of clients, this has no identifiable cause and has no impact on the health of the client and generally calls for no intervention.

I will like to get responses to the above questions before making more calls and suggestions on these loose stools.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (10 hours later)
Thank you for responding. To answer your first question, l don't have a stool every day. There is no immediate urgency but it is always very gassy and watery.
this has not changed over the years. I have never had problems with gall bladder or pancreatitis. My weight has remained fairly stable over the years, 160 - 167 lbs. Otherwise I feel well considering my age. I have been ignoring the problem hoping it would go away naturally, but it persist.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for following up with me!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up information.

Seen these symptoms which are limited to the digestive system entirely,have no direct impact on your over all health status beyond the inconvenience and worries caused by this, it is suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome. This is a condition that represents no pathology or pathological process beyond causing symptoms.

However, this is only true when all other possible causes of these symptoms have been investigated and ruled out. For this, I will will suggest that you get examined by a gastroenterologist and do some basic tests to make sure we are not missing out on anything worrisome here. There is no emergency and you should plan to do this when the time and means permit.

I hope this helps. I wish you well and feel free to ask for more clarifications if need be.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Causes Watery Stools?

Brief Answer: Please, how often do you stool a day? Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms that you have described. I hope we get to figure out what the exact cause is and propose helpful solutions to help you get over this. I will like to know how often you get these watery stools in a day. Has the frequency and severity been the same over the years? Have you ever had any problems with your gall bladder or bouts of pancreatitis? Has your weight changed over this time? In all, loose stools may be related to poor digestion, poor absorption or rapid movement through the intestines. In a good number of clients, this has no identifiable cause and has no impact on the health of the client and generally calls for no intervention. I will like to get responses to the above questions before making more calls and suggestions on these loose stools.