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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Diarrhea
Question: Good day!
I am North XXXXXXX and have been in Chile and Argentina for almost three weeks now. I am 60 and normally in very good health. Three days ago I started quite severe diarrhea - 6 times during the night - and used Imodium. It did stop the urges to go to the bathroom, but did not seem to stop the diarrhea. While I did not need to take any Imodium yesterday, I started again this morning after two repeated visits to the bathroom with very liquid movements, I have taken 9 tablets (2 mg) over the last three days,
Thoughts? XXXXXXX
I am North XXXXXXX and have been in Chile and Argentina for almost three weeks now. I am 60 and normally in very good health. Three days ago I started quite severe diarrhea - 6 times during the night - and used Imodium. It did stop the urges to go to the bathroom, but did not seem to stop the diarrhea. While I did not need to take any Imodium yesterday, I started again this morning after two repeated visits to the bathroom with very liquid movements, I have taken 9 tablets (2 mg) over the last three days,
Thoughts? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
probably traveller's diarrhea
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
this is probably a case of travel associated diarrhea, which occurs in 30-70% of travelers to other countries (particularly to developing countries) depending on the location and season. Other cause can't be excluded though like viral, parasitic, inflammatory, etc.
In mild cases you just have to wait 1-5 days for the symptoms to resolve. If the symptoms are not mild then antibiotic treatment is required. Quinolones are the most effective ones but we usually avoid to use them (to avoid development of resistant pathogens). Regarding the symptoms, immodium is the only effective treatment. Try to avoid taking more than 8mg per day though. In most patients 1-2 pills (4mg in total) are enough. Since the diarrhea seems to persist I suggest doing a stool culture and perhaps also test for parasites. They may help to find out what's the offending pathogen.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind regards!
probably traveller's diarrhea
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
this is probably a case of travel associated diarrhea, which occurs in 30-70% of travelers to other countries (particularly to developing countries) depending on the location and season. Other cause can't be excluded though like viral, parasitic, inflammatory, etc.
In mild cases you just have to wait 1-5 days for the symptoms to resolve. If the symptoms are not mild then antibiotic treatment is required. Quinolones are the most effective ones but we usually avoid to use them (to avoid development of resistant pathogens). Regarding the symptoms, immodium is the only effective treatment. Try to avoid taking more than 8mg per day though. In most patients 1-2 pills (4mg in total) are enough. Since the diarrhea seems to persist I suggest doing a stool culture and perhaps also test for parasites. They may help to find out what's the offending pathogen.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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