Brief Answer:
Possible gastroenteritis, recommendations detailed below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HCM

Your symptoms are suggestive either of gastroenteritis or flare up of Ulcerative colitis. Gastroenteritis can be due to bacterial toxins, viral infections or bacterial infection. Both toxins and viral gastroenteritis subside on its own. Bacterial gastroenteritis requires treatment with antibiotics.

Here are few things you can try to help relieve the symptoms
-Follow liquid diet like soup and, BRAT (Banana, Applesauce, Rice, Toast) diet
-Continue VSL#3 (which is a probiotic)
-Continue Bismuth sub-salicylate, which can also help with diarrhea

If symptoms persist after 3-4 days, follow-up with a primary care provider to undergo stool analysis (to look for flare up of ulcerative colitis or bacterial gastroenteritis as a cause for your symptoms) and initiate appropriate management.

Hope I was able to help you
Please address further questions here
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

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Brief Answer:
Prevention of infective gastroenteritis and UC detailed below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for following up

First I will talk about Ulcerative colitis. Flare-ups in UC is due to an immunological reaction to your intestinal mucosa. Stress, infections, medications like aspirin etc can all cause a flare up. Long-term treatment with medications like 5-ASA, methotrexate etc can help prevent recurrent flare-ups.

Regarding Infections (viral/bacterial) causing gastroenteritis, this can be prevented to an extent by taking proper precautionary measures.
-Wash your hands and utensils thoroughly before eating.
- Cook food especially meat, seafood etc thoroughly.
-Refrigerate leftovers/ perishable food and heat it up thoroughly before consumption.
-Do not eat food that has been sitting out for too long.
-Wash vegetables and meat well before cooking.
-Drink clean boiled water

Hope I was able to help you
Please address further questions here
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

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