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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Diarrhea, Numbness In Arm On Waking Up, Dry Mouth, Fatigue, Sweating, Mucus In Stools. At What Point Should He Be Taken To ER?

My son is 15 years old and has had diarrhea 16 days. He s been to the pediatrician and she s ordered a stool sample but I m worried about dehydration . We Sony know what s wrong and he s experiencing symptoms such as, waking up with arm from elbows to tips of fingers numb (fail asleep), fatigue, dry mouth, sweating while sleeping, loss of appetite, mucus in diarrhea and possibly more symptoms he s unaware of as being important. He s not running fever, no blood in stool . At what point do I start to worry an bring him to the ER?
posted on Tue, 29 Jan 2013
Twitter Tue, 29 Jan 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 30 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on
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Emergency Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi Corrie.Melsom,
Thanks for writing your quuery.

Diarrhoea for about 2 weeks, should be properly investigated and managed.
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can occur if diarrhoea is present for long periods.

He should be given antibiotic and antiamoebic according to the reports of the stool sample along with antacid and probiotic preparation.

Special care should be taken on his diet to prevent dehydration.
He should should be adequately hydrated. If needed, he can be given Oral Rehydratiion Fluids.
He should be given light meals with less spice and oil.

He should be taken to the ER if the problem is persisting or if dehydration or loss of electrolytes occurs. This can present as confusion, irritability, etc.
Decrease in urine output should be monitored and if there is evidence of decreased urinary output, he should be immediately taken to the ER.

I hope this is helpful to you.
Thanks.
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Diarrhea, Numbness In Arm On Waking Up, Dry Mouth, Fatigue, Sweating, Mucus In Stools. At What Point Should He Be Taken To ER?

Hi Corrie.Melsom, Thanks for writing your quuery. Diarrhoea for about 2 weeks, should be properly investigated and managed. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can occur if diarrhoea is present for long periods. He should be given antibiotic and antiamoebic according to the reports of the stool sample along with antacid and probiotic preparation. Special care should be taken on his diet to prevent dehydration. He should should be adequately hydrated. If needed, he can be given Oral Rehydratiion Fluids. He should be given light meals with less spice and oil. He should be taken to the ER if the problem is persisting or if dehydration or loss of electrolytes occurs. This can present as confusion, irritability, etc. Decrease in urine output should be monitored and if there is evidence of decreased urinary output, he should be immediately taken to the ER. I hope this is helpful to you. Thanks.