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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea, Lower Back Pain And Intestinal Gas

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Posted on Wed, 15 Feb 2017
Question: Hello,
I am a 65 year old women.I began having diarrhea last Tuesday, but that appeared to be gone by Friday. Friday and Saturday I had pain in the spine in my lower back and pain when it was touched. Last night I had a lot of gas. Today I have pretty bad hip pain on one side and do not feel well at all but the spine pain is almost gone. I have chills off and on but may or may not have a fever. At what point should I be seen by a Dr or is this something that may work itself out?
Thank you,
XXXXXXX XXXX YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As the diarrhoea has stopped, no need for a doctors visit ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I think if the diarrhoea has ceased, the main part of it is over with, and the rest of the symptoms are just an aftermath of the diarrhoea and your body trying to recuperate.

The spine or back pain, and hip pain now could just be due to the weakness, electrolyte loss and/or dehydration that resulted from the diarrhoea, and nothing else. You can expect to be constipated for a while after the diarrhoea stops, and also quite gassy until things settle down.

In lieu of your current status, the best way forward for you would be:

+Drink plenty of fluids
+Try and get your hands on an ORS (oral rehydration solution): If in XXXXXXX form, please mix it with 1 litre of water and complete it within 24 hours; if in tetra form, please have at least 1 litre of it
+Some individuals also choose energy drinks over ORS as these drinks also contain the required electrolytes, you can also do the same if you wish
+Avoid tea/coffee and other such irritants
+You can purchase over-the-counter medication to help with the gas like ranitidine, omeprazole, etc; one tablet to be taken 15 minutes before each meal
+A semi solid bland diet is recommended for at least 2-5 days
+Probiotics help a great deal and can help in formation of normal stools once again. You can purchase probiotic drinks or curds at any grocery store

In my opinion, as the diarrhoea is not present anymore, you can wait this out, but in the meantime make sure you hydrate well enough (at least 2-3 litres of water a day) along with either ORS or energy drinks to help accelerate recovery.

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea, Lower Back Pain And Intestinal Gas

Brief Answer: As the diarrhoea has stopped, no need for a doctors visit ma'am Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I think if the diarrhoea has ceased, the main part of it is over with, and the rest of the symptoms are just an aftermath of the diarrhoea and your body trying to recuperate. The spine or back pain, and hip pain now could just be due to the weakness, electrolyte loss and/or dehydration that resulted from the diarrhoea, and nothing else. You can expect to be constipated for a while after the diarrhoea stops, and also quite gassy until things settle down. In lieu of your current status, the best way forward for you would be: +Drink plenty of fluids +Try and get your hands on an ORS (oral rehydration solution): If in XXXXXXX form, please mix it with 1 litre of water and complete it within 24 hours; if in tetra form, please have at least 1 litre of it +Some individuals also choose energy drinks over ORS as these drinks also contain the required electrolytes, you can also do the same if you wish +Avoid tea/coffee and other such irritants +You can purchase over-the-counter medication to help with the gas like ranitidine, omeprazole, etc; one tablet to be taken 15 minutes before each meal +A semi solid bland diet is recommended for at least 2-5 days +Probiotics help a great deal and can help in formation of normal stools once again. You can purchase probiotic drinks or curds at any grocery store In my opinion, as the diarrhoea is not present anymore, you can wait this out, but in the meantime make sure you hydrate well enough (at least 2-3 litres of water a day) along with either ORS or energy drinks to help accelerate recovery. I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help. Best wishes.