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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can severe Nausea And Diarrhoea Be Treated?

My mother is 80. Since Oct she s had diarrhea off and on, low fever, nausea. She has also had 2 UTIs since then. Since Jan it s gotten worse. She s lost 12 lbs, some days she can t leave house, other, fewer days she doesn t even have a bowl movement. She also has vaginal discharge - claims she s leaking stool like discharge through her vagina. Her appetite is ok; tries to eat but it goes right through. Her dr did a internal, ran blood tests, stool sample, urine sample, all normal. But she continues to have diarrhea and more frequently now, vomiting. She also gets up 3-5 times a night to urinate. She went to gastro doc last week and they also took blood but no results yet. She s having a colonoscopy 3/2. I am greatly concerned and wondering if she s seeing correct specialist. Also wondering about fistula?
Thu, 30 Mar 2017
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

I have read your question fully and understand your concerns.

Your mother is seeing the gastroenterologist who is the correct specialist for her. You are right in thinking that there could be a fistula through which her stool may be coming out her vagina. She is due to have her Colonoscopy. This investigation will identify any cause for the diarrhoea, this will also identify if there is any fistula.

If the colonoscopy comes as normal, usually the gastroenterologists request a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. As she is vomiting, her gastroenterologist may also do a gastroscopy. But again, her gastroenterologist will look at her general health and other health problems and discuss with you before taking a decision.
The treatment of nausea and diarrhoea in your mum's case is by first identifying what is the cause for these symptoms, and then treating that causative factor. All the investigations that she had got done/and also currently having is to find that cause.



She is likely to lose weight if she is having diarrhoea and vomiting. Looks like she is also having an irritable bladder/over active bladder. She could be prescribed a medicine called Oxybutynin or Solifenacin for this. She could also reduce her fluid intake in the evening time. If she is agreeable, she could also use adult diapers at night time so that she can get good sleep without having to use the toilet very often.

You need to rule out urine infection again though. If she is getting recurrent urine infections, she can take a small dose of antibiotic once at night, like nitrofurantoin 50 mg at night. Both the antibiotic and the medicines for overactive bladder are prescription only medicines, hence you can discuss with her doctor.


I wish your mum a speedy recovery.

I hope this answer has helped you.

Thank you
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
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How Can severe Nausea And Diarrhoea Be Treated?

Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic. I have read your question fully and understand your concerns. Your mother is seeing the gastroenterologist who is the correct specialist for her. You are right in thinking that there could be a fistula through which her stool may be coming out her vagina. She is due to have her Colonoscopy. This investigation will identify any cause for the diarrhoea, this will also identify if there is any fistula. If the colonoscopy comes as normal, usually the gastroenterologists request a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. As she is vomiting, her gastroenterologist may also do a gastroscopy. But again, her gastroenterologist will look at her general health and other health problems and discuss with you before taking a decision. The treatment of nausea and diarrhoea in your mum s case is by first identifying what is the cause for these symptoms, and then treating that causative factor. All the investigations that she had got done/and also currently having is to find that cause. She is likely to lose weight if she is having diarrhoea and vomiting. Looks like she is also having an irritable bladder/over active bladder. She could be prescribed a medicine called Oxybutynin or Solifenacin for this. She could also reduce her fluid intake in the evening time. If she is agreeable, she could also use adult diapers at night time so that she can get good sleep without having to use the toilet very often. You need to rule out urine infection again though. If she is getting recurrent urine infections, she can take a small dose of antibiotic once at night, like nitrofurantoin 50 mg at night. Both the antibiotic and the medicines for overactive bladder are prescription only medicines, hence you can discuss with her doctor. I wish your mum a speedy recovery. I hope this answer has helped you. Thank you Regards Dr Sunita Sayammagaru