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What Could Be Causing Severe Watery Diarrhea For Over A Month Despite Taking Imodium And Kaopectate?
Question: What could be he cause of severe watery diarrhea. I've been tested for bacterial causes and found negative. I've tried Imodium and Kaopectate. It's been going on for over a month. Recently finished an antibiotic regime.
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Infection is one cause for persistent diarrhea but the stool testing would have ruled this out.
At this stage, since the symptoms have been ongoing for over 4 weeks, it would be called chronic diarrhea.
Other possible causes include- (1)inflammatory bowel disease such as crohns disease or ulcerative colitis
(2)thyroid disease- high levels of thyroid hormone can cause diarrhea
(3)complication of diabetes- it's due to the effect of uncontrolled diabetes on nerve function of the gut
(4)side effect of medication
(5)food intolerance/allergies
(6)irritable bowel syndrome
(7)certain types of tumors- this is a very rare cause eg gastrinoma, carcinoid
(8) some cases of liver disease
Additional testing can be done to try and find the cause. It may be best to see a gastroenterologist for assessment.
Blood tests and a scope , may be needed
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Infection is one cause for persistent diarrhea but the stool testing would have ruled this out.
At this stage, since the symptoms have been ongoing for over 4 weeks, it would be called chronic diarrhea.
Other possible causes include- (1)inflammatory bowel disease such as crohns disease or ulcerative colitis
(2)thyroid disease- high levels of thyroid hormone can cause diarrhea
(3)complication of diabetes- it's due to the effect of uncontrolled diabetes on nerve function of the gut
(4)side effect of medication
(5)food intolerance/allergies
(6)irritable bowel syndrome
(7)certain types of tumors- this is a very rare cause eg gastrinoma, carcinoid
(8) some cases of liver disease
Additional testing can be done to try and find the cause. It may be best to see a gastroenterologist for assessment.
Blood tests and a scope , may be needed
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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