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Suggest Medication For Acute Diarrhea

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Posted on Tue, 1 Dec 2015
Question: I have acute diarrhea, I've been using Imodium with no results. At least 1 month of of constant problems. Your help please. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX in XXXXXXX AZ...
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
different possible causes

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Diarrhea is called chronic by some definitions if there are at least 3 loose stools daily for at least 4 weeks.

Infection would have been ruled out with the stool sample but there are other causes such as: (1) irritable bowel syndrome

(2) hormone related causes such as hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormone) or in persons with a history of diabetes and subsequent damage to the nerves in the intestines

(3)inflammatory bowel diseases- this refers to crohns disease and ulcerative colitis

(4)food intolerance eg lactose intolerance or other specific food intolerance or celiac disease

(5) side effect of medication

A food diary would determine if there are specific foods involved. Blood tests can be done to check for celiac and a breath test for lactose if this is a possibility for you.
Blood tests can also check thyroid hormone levels.

There are also certain criteria called the rome criteria that your doctor can go through with you to see if you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

If none of these fit then imaging may be needed to check for crohns or ulcerative colitis

Summary: (1) different possible causes
(2) additional blood tests needed
(3)other tests may be needed depending on findings.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Medication For Acute Diarrhea

Brief Answer: different possible causes Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Diarrhea is called chronic by some definitions if there are at least 3 loose stools daily for at least 4 weeks. Infection would have been ruled out with the stool sample but there are other causes such as: (1) irritable bowel syndrome (2) hormone related causes such as hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormone) or in persons with a history of diabetes and subsequent damage to the nerves in the intestines (3)inflammatory bowel diseases- this refers to crohns disease and ulcerative colitis (4)food intolerance eg lactose intolerance or other specific food intolerance or celiac disease (5) side effect of medication A food diary would determine if there are specific foods involved. Blood tests can be done to check for celiac and a breath test for lactose if this is a possibility for you. Blood tests can also check thyroid hormone levels. There are also certain criteria called the rome criteria that your doctor can go through with you to see if you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) If none of these fit then imaging may be needed to check for crohns or ulcerative colitis Summary: (1) different possible causes (2) additional blood tests needed (3)other tests may be needed depending on findings. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions