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Suggest Remedy For Uncontrollable Diarrhea
Question: 2 days ago I woke up with uncontrollable diarhea. I have never had diarhea before in my life, let alone uncontrollable. Nor do I ever get sick. Then my room mate got a case of diarhea and today my 31 year old son has it as well and earlier he started throwing up. Were not eating the same foods so that isn't it. I've taken pepto bismol since yesterday and it's subsided some but not all the way. What the hell is this?
Brief Answer:
Likely viral infection but bacterial or parasitic causes should be rule out
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
From your symptoms, you seem to be having acute infective diarrhea which either could be viral or sometimes bacterial or parasitic infestations.
As your room mate and your son has also got diarrhea then the first possibility of this diarrhea could be waterborne and viral infection but the other causes should also be ruled out.
It is good that you have improved with pepto-bismol but it would be advisable to undergo routine blood counts, ESR, urinalysis and stool test (for routine microscopy,ova,cyst) to rule out the chances of any bacterial or parasitic infection with serum electrolytes especially sodium and potassium .
Your room mate and son should also be tested by the same way.
Generally,it might take 48 to 72 hours to subside diarrhea following appropriate antibiotics (if required) and other symptomatic medications.
Till the time,
You can continue with pepto-bismol and drink bottled water.
But after giving those tests samples,you can start prebiotics and probiotics (brand name: sporolac-DS) with racecadotril sachets with water 3 to 4 times a day.They will be helpful for water to be re-absorbed from the stool, so the stool becomes more firm.
Take plenty of water with fruit juices (especially coconut water) to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in body.
Avoid heavy diet and take light or liquid diet for minimum 3 to 5 days.
Take OTC anti-emetic (ondasetron) if you feel nausea or vomiting and antispasmodics (dicyclomine) if abdominal pain or discomfort.
Hope this detailed information will be helpful and i will be happy to answer if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Likely viral infection but bacterial or parasitic causes should be rule out
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
From your symptoms, you seem to be having acute infective diarrhea which either could be viral or sometimes bacterial or parasitic infestations.
As your room mate and your son has also got diarrhea then the first possibility of this diarrhea could be waterborne and viral infection but the other causes should also be ruled out.
It is good that you have improved with pepto-bismol but it would be advisable to undergo routine blood counts, ESR, urinalysis and stool test (for routine microscopy,ova,cyst) to rule out the chances of any bacterial or parasitic infection with serum electrolytes especially sodium and potassium .
Your room mate and son should also be tested by the same way.
Generally,it might take 48 to 72 hours to subside diarrhea following appropriate antibiotics (if required) and other symptomatic medications.
Till the time,
You can continue with pepto-bismol and drink bottled water.
But after giving those tests samples,you can start prebiotics and probiotics (brand name: sporolac-DS) with racecadotril sachets with water 3 to 4 times a day.They will be helpful for water to be re-absorbed from the stool, so the stool becomes more firm.
Take plenty of water with fruit juices (especially coconut water) to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in body.
Avoid heavy diet and take light or liquid diet for minimum 3 to 5 days.
Take OTC anti-emetic (ondasetron) if you feel nausea or vomiting and antispasmodics (dicyclomine) if abdominal pain or discomfort.
Hope this detailed information will be helpful and i will be happy to answer if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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