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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea

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Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Question: I have have had severe diarhea for 3 hours. (Vomited the meal that I had just eaten from Wendy's Drive Thru.) I have intestinal cramping, passing some blood which has a small amount of mucus-type substance.
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Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
acute diarrhea due to gastroenteritis

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 diarrhea due to gastroenteritis. Presence of mucus in stool might be suggestive some intestinal infection which should be ruled out.

Intestinal cramps could be due to loss of water and electrolytes (sodium,potassium mainly) from the body.

So,before starting medications it would be advisable to undergo routine blood counts,ESR,urine and stool tests with serum electrolytes especially sodium and potassium.

Meanwhile you can take below mentioned symptomatic treatment.

Anti-emetic (like ondasetron 4mg ) if you feel nausea or vomiting,

Antispasmodics (dicyclomine) if abdominal pain or discomfort.

Prebiotics and probiotics (brand name: sporolac-DS) with racecadotril sachets with water 3 to 4 times a day to restore intestinal bacterial flora.

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.

Continue with Immodium (Loperamide hydrochloride) 2 to 3 times a day which actually slows the movement of the intestines. This allows water to be absorbed from the stool, so the stool becomes more firm.

Antibiotics might be given if some infection found on investigations but you will need to see some local doctor or your family physician for the prescription.

Generally,it might take 24 to 48 hours to subside loose motions following appropriate medications. In case if diarrhea persist, I would suggest you to visit ER on urgent basis.

Hope this detailed information will be helpful and i will be happy to answer if you need more clarification.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea

Brief Answer: acute diarrhea due to gastroenteritis 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 diarrhea due to gastroenteritis. Presence of mucus in stool might be suggestive some intestinal infection which should be ruled out. Intestinal cramps could be due to loss of water and electrolytes (sodium,potassium mainly) from the body. So,before starting medications it would be advisable to undergo routine blood counts,ESR,urine and stool tests with serum electrolytes especially sodium and potassium. Meanwhile you can take below mentioned symptomatic treatment. Anti-emetic (like ondasetron 4mg ) if you feel nausea or vomiting, Antispasmodics (dicyclomine) if abdominal pain or discomfort. Prebiotics and probiotics (brand name: sporolac-DS) with racecadotril sachets with water 3 to 4 times a day to restore intestinal bacterial flora. 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. Continue with Immodium (Loperamide hydrochloride) 2 to 3 times a day which actually slows the movement of the intestines. This allows water to be absorbed from the stool, so the stool becomes more firm. Antibiotics might be given if some infection found on investigations but you will need to see some local doctor or your family physician for the prescription. Generally,it might take 24 to 48 hours to subside loose motions following appropriate medications. In case if diarrhea persist, I would suggest you to visit ER on urgent basis. Hope this detailed information will be helpful and i will be happy to answer if you need more clarification. Regards, Dr.Sandip Kabra