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Having Diarrhea And Rumbling Stomach. Consuming Only Crackers And Bananas. Cause? What Can Be Done?

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Posted on Fri, 12 Jul 2013
Question: hi last monday i started with some diarrhea that has now a week later subsided a bit but i still have rumbling stomach no abdominal pain no fever no vomiting just feel like i have either gas or have to use the bathroom and all i can eat is crackers and bananas cause i'm scared to irritate the bowel movements i am staying hydrated just never had diarrhea or any other stomach issues for more then a day and i don't like going to doctors for no reason but i wish this issue got resolved i know i felt a bit better last friday and had normal food which i shouldn't have i think
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)
Hi,

Welcome to Health care magic.

I am Dr XXXXXXX and I will try my level best to help you.

Based on the information provided, you were scared about having an irritable bowel disease and had some diarrhea. With the history of taking antibiotics for 3 days and their after you had diarrhea.

Their are two probable cause that can lead to such issues
1) Stress induced diarrhea &
2) pseudomembrane colitis (post antibiotics diarrhea)

From my standpoint it seem like you are having as pseudomembrane colitis which is an opportunistic infection caused after a antibiotic treatment, the bug that cause normally is not capable for causing any harm due to gut flora, but antibiotics does kill some of the gut flora leading a entry point for bacteria Clostridium difficile which is primary cause of diarrhea after antibiotic treatment.

ADVICE:- In case of still having diarrhea, consult your physician and get treated for underlying cause.

Hope it helps, please feel free for any further clarification/ concerns.

Thanks for the query.
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (1 hour later)
thank you for your reply the diarrhea seems to be subsiding but i still have this 'urge i guess and pressure like you have to use the restroom now if i eat any regular food or dairy i think it will still keep coming. i did drink some probiotic milk saturday and friday i know dairy isn't good for this issue but i thought the probiotic will help i was basically wondering how long i should expect this to last before my body returns to normal it seems like maybe it isn't so serious just a nuissance am I correct? thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (1 hour later)
Hi,

Welcome back, as you said the diarrhea is subsiding that is good news, but still having urge is sign of irritation. Probiotic milk is good for replacing the lost flora which was killed by antibiotic earlier.

Some of the irritation is caused in middle age women like your self is stress related. Are you having to deal with lot of stress at work? It also appears around menses in some females as it causes a lot of hormonal changes. I would like you to reduce you coffee intake and just take a break for couple of days if possible to calm your nerves.

The irritation or the feeling of urge will subside once stress level goes down. It may take up to 3-5 days to get rid of that urge.

Hope it helps in good way and subsides your issue soon.

Still feel free to contact me in case of any concern.

Thanks again
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (7 hours later)
thanks for all yoru help i think at this point i am most stressed out about this issue i'm having and i dd cut down on coffee i only drink one small in the morning now my last question is it normal for the stool to not be firm for a few days still will that get back to normal slowly as well? and is there anything i can take food or anything to make it better quicker. thanks again
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (5 hours later)
Hi,

Welcome back.

The answer to your question about semi-solid stool is YES its normal to have them in semi-solid.

Here is the reason for stool being semi-solid, you are having a lot of fluid as trying to replenish the lost body fluid. Now stool movement normally tend to take like 8-12 hrs to pass from mouth to end. It stays in the last part of gut for about 4-5 hours where much of the fluid is reabsorbed from the stool leading it to have firm state, since you are having mild diarrhea you do pass stool prior the normal time and as result the stool do not stay for longer time in last portion of bowel to get all the fluid reabsorbed. Hence, the stool has semi-solid consistency.

It will come back to normal consistency in few days.

Hope it explains and helps you understand the body's inner mechanism.

Feel free to contact me in case of further queries.
Thanks
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Jay Patel

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 599 Questions

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Having Diarrhea And Rumbling Stomach. Consuming Only Crackers And Bananas. Cause? What Can Be Done?

Hi,

Welcome to Health care magic.

I am Dr XXXXXXX and I will try my level best to help you.

Based on the information provided, you were scared about having an irritable bowel disease and had some diarrhea. With the history of taking antibiotics for 3 days and their after you had diarrhea.

Their are two probable cause that can lead to such issues
1) Stress induced diarrhea &
2) pseudomembrane colitis (post antibiotics diarrhea)

From my standpoint it seem like you are having as pseudomembrane colitis which is an opportunistic infection caused after a antibiotic treatment, the bug that cause normally is not capable for causing any harm due to gut flora, but antibiotics does kill some of the gut flora leading a entry point for bacteria Clostridium difficile which is primary cause of diarrhea after antibiotic treatment.

ADVICE:- In case of still having diarrhea, consult your physician and get treated for underlying cause.

Hope it helps, please feel free for any further clarification/ concerns.

Thanks for the query.
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX