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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea Along With Abdominal Bloating?

My mother is 83 years old. For three weeks anything she eats or drinks runs through her. she has had diarrhea 4-5 times a day accompanied with bloating and intestinal pain. It comes on so fast that she is having accidents. I plan on contacting her doctor tomorrow. She is depressed, crying and doesn t want to eat anymore. What is wrong with her and what should her doctor do for her?
Wed, 5 Sep 2018
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Watery loose stools are in most cases caused by dietary causes or infectious ones. If this is caused by diet then she should try to rest more and switch to a diet of clear liquids. Drink water, juice, bouillon and weak tea to avoid becoming dehydrated. Replace lost fluids and electrolytes with sports drinks. Avoid coffee or soft drinks that contain caffeine, since caffeine increases the loss of water and salt.

If there is nausea in addition to diarrhea, take very small sips of fluid frequently and suck on ice chips. She also may consider over-the-counter medications such as Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or Loperamide (Imodium).

In cases of infectious diarrhea, you should do microbiological testing of stool and see the exact microbe and then antibiotics can be used additionally.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea Along With Abdominal Bloating?

Hi, Watery loose stools are in most cases caused by dietary causes or infectious ones. If this is caused by diet then she should try to rest more and switch to a diet of clear liquids. Drink water, juice, bouillon and weak tea to avoid becoming dehydrated. Replace lost fluids and electrolytes with sports drinks. Avoid coffee or soft drinks that contain caffeine, since caffeine increases the loss of water and salt. If there is nausea in addition to diarrhea, take very small sips of fluid frequently and suck on ice chips. She also may consider over-the-counter medications such as Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or Loperamide (Imodium). In cases of infectious diarrhea, you should do microbiological testing of stool and see the exact microbe and then antibiotics can be used additionally. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.