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What Causes Severe Diarrhea?

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Posted on Wed, 13 Apr 2016
Question: Last week i had diarrehea for 3 days every half hour or so . Everytime i kay diwm i get this feeling in my stomach like whem you really have to poop. It went away for a coupke days now its back . It started browm and now in the past hour or so its turned to a red watery type diarrhea . The last tjing i ate was yesterday and it was chicken parn ive also been drinking red gatorade . O have been eating a lot of spicy food too . Im so scared what could this be
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Some information:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I am sorry you are having so much trouble!

This may be a viral gastroenteritis. In the US, parasitic type gastroenteritis is more uncommon.

I take it you are not running fevers or other symptoms?

This may also be irritable bowel with predominant diarrhea.

If no fever or severe pain, here are suggestions:

Take either Pepto Bismol or Immodium.

Eat only small amounts of food at a time.

No spicy or greasy foods right now.

Foods that are helpful: bananas, rice (fully cooked), apple sauce, toast, nonspicy soups such as chicken noodle. Eat small amounts more frequently rather than whole meals at a time.

Drink lots of water as you are losing a lot of fluid. Try to get an electrolyte solution that is clear, or at least not red, as this can confuse what is going on.

If the Pepto Bismol or Immodium and "BRAT diet" do not start to improve things in the next 1-2 days OR if your symptoms are getting worse, do go in to your doctor, urgent care, or ER as you can become dehydrated very quickly with this much diarrhea.

Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (29 minutes later)
No fever or pain. A little nausea. So this isnt serious should i be worried
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Some information:

Detailed Answer:
It isn't serious in terms of the risk that it could be cancer, but it is serious in that you could get dehydrated quickly. So if it isn't getting better soon, do go in to try to sort out what is causing it. My list of things that it might be are viral gastroenteritis, other kinds of gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and some sort of inflammatory bowel problem possibly tripped by the spicy food. Malabsorption problems (gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance) usually involve bloating and pain, but could be possible.

So see how things go tomorrow and then if not improving, take action by seeing a doctor.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (22 hours later)
It was every half hour now its about every hour is this bad at all i dont want to pay money to go to the doctor ifnot isnt neccessary
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Thoughts

Detailed Answer:
I suppose every hour rather than half hour is some improvement but not much.

Did you try the immodium or Pepto Bismol?
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Severe Diarrhea?

Brief Answer: Some information: Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I am sorry you are having so much trouble! This may be a viral gastroenteritis. In the US, parasitic type gastroenteritis is more uncommon. I take it you are not running fevers or other symptoms? This may also be irritable bowel with predominant diarrhea. If no fever or severe pain, here are suggestions: Take either Pepto Bismol or Immodium. Eat only small amounts of food at a time. No spicy or greasy foods right now. Foods that are helpful: bananas, rice (fully cooked), apple sauce, toast, nonspicy soups such as chicken noodle. Eat small amounts more frequently rather than whole meals at a time. Drink lots of water as you are losing a lot of fluid. Try to get an electrolyte solution that is clear, or at least not red, as this can confuse what is going on. If the Pepto Bismol or Immodium and "BRAT diet" do not start to improve things in the next 1-2 days OR if your symptoms are getting worse, do go in to your doctor, urgent care, or ER as you can become dehydrated very quickly with this much diarrhea. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.