Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
82 Years. Constant Diarrhea With Reflux And Nausea. On Nexium. Intake Of 1.5 Lt Of Milk With Vegetables And Meat. Suggestions?
How can I minimise my friends constant diarrhoea?
My friend a non drinker is 82 years old has been suffering from constant diarrhoea on a daily basis now for about 3 years now, he goes 4 to 5 times a day and the consistency varies from watery to a thick soup,other symptoms are reflux and nausea.
He uses nexium (40mgs 1 tab per night) ( now on it for 2 years) it helps the reflux and nausea.
They tried giving him some fibre powder but it did not help.
His blood count is relatively normal, he has been suffering from severe shortness of breath/emphysema as well for the same period (breathing problems occurred prior to the nexium) , he had been a heavy smoker until he was 78years old.
He is set in his ways and unlikely to change his diet which is basic veggies,some meat and dairy lots of milk 1.5 litres per day. Weighing all this into consideration is there anything he could take to minimise the constant diarrhoea?
My friend a non drinker is 82 years old has been suffering from constant diarrhoea on a daily basis now for about 3 years now, he goes 4 to 5 times a day and the consistency varies from watery to a thick soup,other symptoms are reflux and nausea.
He uses nexium (40mgs 1 tab per night) ( now on it for 2 years) it helps the reflux and nausea.
They tried giving him some fibre powder but it did not help.
His blood count is relatively normal, he has been suffering from severe shortness of breath/emphysema as well for the same period (breathing problems occurred prior to the nexium) , he had been a heavy smoker until he was 78years old.
He is set in his ways and unlikely to change his diet which is basic veggies,some meat and dairy lots of milk 1.5 litres per day. Weighing all this into consideration is there anything he could take to minimise the constant diarrhoea?
Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
His diarrhea can be caused by chronic Nexium intake, diet (milk is generally hardly digestible for humans), chronic bowels infection or even partial bowels obstruction due to colon cancer or inflammatory bowels disease.
Nexium is a medicine which blocks stomach acid secretion. Stomach acid kills many bacteria and protects digestive tract from infection. When there is no stomach acid, bacteria can infect intestines and cause chronic diarrhea.
Milk and too much vegetables can cause chronic diarrhea due to lactulose intolerance for example.
Chronic bacterial infection can be related to the Nexium intake or some antibiotics intake in the past for example.
Partial bowels obstruction should be also ruled out, especially at the age of 82. Colon cancer can cause such symptoms for many years. Weight loss, blood in stool, bloating can also appear.
I suggest your friend to try to stop taking Nexium (consult this with his doctor), stop drinking so much milk and try mild diet. Probiotics should be added to the diet. If this wont help, stool tests and colonoscopy should be done.
Hope this will help.
Regards.
Thank you for the query.
His diarrhea can be caused by chronic Nexium intake, diet (milk is generally hardly digestible for humans), chronic bowels infection or even partial bowels obstruction due to colon cancer or inflammatory bowels disease.
Nexium is a medicine which blocks stomach acid secretion. Stomach acid kills many bacteria and protects digestive tract from infection. When there is no stomach acid, bacteria can infect intestines and cause chronic diarrhea.
Milk and too much vegetables can cause chronic diarrhea due to lactulose intolerance for example.
Chronic bacterial infection can be related to the Nexium intake or some antibiotics intake in the past for example.
Partial bowels obstruction should be also ruled out, especially at the age of 82. Colon cancer can cause such symptoms for many years. Weight loss, blood in stool, bloating can also appear.
I suggest your friend to try to stop taking Nexium (consult this with his doctor), stop drinking so much milk and try mild diet. Probiotics should be added to the diet. If this wont help, stool tests and colonoscopy should be done.
Hope this will help.
Regards.
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Reflux esophagitis
Loading Online Doctors....