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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Diarrhea And Abdominal Bloating Be Treated?

My dad is 94 years old...he was in the hospital in September with a bleeding ulcer and c-diff...he had to be in the hospital for over a week...up until this past Saturday morning (4 months later)...he was doing great....however Saturday, he got up from the table and had horrible diarrhea....and we can not stop it. he is on Metronidazole 500 mg tid...I am also giving him Imodium to help slow down the diarrhea...is that bad to give him? I am afraid he will become dehydrated and at night...he is very bloated with gas...please help.
Mon, 10 Dec 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Your Dad has already been started on Metronidazole which will take about 48 hours to show effect. If he still has diarrhoea then you should send a stool sample for culture and sensitivity.

Imodium helps symptomatically reducing the severity of diarrhoea temporarily but not with the infection.

It is very important that he takes a lot of plain fluids. Oral Rehydration Solution/ ORS or electoral powder in water is helpful and you must give him plenty of this alongside. (I am gathering he does not have other medical problems- if he is diabetic/hypertensive- you must get him checked by your doctor

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Shilpi Kulshreshtha, General & Family Physician
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How Can Diarrhea And Abdominal Bloating Be Treated?

Hello, Your Dad has already been started on Metronidazole which will take about 48 hours to show effect. If he still has diarrhoea then you should send a stool sample for culture and sensitivity. Imodium helps symptomatically reducing the severity of diarrhoea temporarily but not with the infection. It is very important that he takes a lot of plain fluids. Oral Rehydration Solution/ ORS or electoral powder in water is helpful and you must give him plenty of this alongside. (I am gathering he does not have other medical problems- if he is diabetic/hypertensive- you must get him checked by your doctor Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Shilpi Kulshreshtha, General & Family Physician