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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat Chronic Diarrhea?

I had diarrhea for 6 and 1/2 days and was being ignored by my nursing home doctor. At the hospital they said it was due to overmedication of magnesium and laxatives. I was also on several pain meds. What should I have done, rather than not return to the nursing home.?
Tue, 27 Oct 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,

First of all,I would like to clarify that you have not chronic diarrhea rather it is acute diarrhea (since 6 and 1/2 days) which might be suggestive of intestinal infection,mostly due to rotavirus or amebic /mixed/ bacterial infection or as you said it might be due to overuse of medications like magnesium and laxatives.

I would like to advise you to maintain the fluid intake by supplementing with ORS and keep watch on the urine output.

In case If diarrhea occurs again,then kindly get your stools checked, to detect the causative organism.

You will need some specific drugs like Metranidazole,antibiotic like Norfloxacin, antispsmodic drugs to control further diarrhea.

Do not take unnecessary any pain killer medications.

Please consult a physician for specific prescription.

Thanks and regards,
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How To Treat Chronic Diarrhea?

Hi, Welcome to health care magic, First of all,I would like to clarify that you have not chronic diarrhea rather it is acute diarrhea (since 6 and 1/2 days) which might be suggestive of intestinal infection,mostly due to rotavirus or amebic /mixed/ bacterial infection or as you said it might be due to overuse of medications like magnesium and laxatives. I would like to advise you to maintain the fluid intake by supplementing with ORS and keep watch on the urine output. In case If diarrhea occurs again,then kindly get your stools checked, to detect the causative organism. You will need some specific drugs like Metranidazole,antibiotic like Norfloxacin, antispsmodic drugs to control further diarrhea. Do not take unnecessary any pain killer medications. Please consult a physician for specific prescription. Thanks and regards,