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Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is loose and watery stool, and possibly more frequent bowel movements.  Diarrhea is very common, happening a few times each year to most people.  In most cases, the cause is unknown, and it goes away on its own after a few days.

There are three different classifications of diarrhea:

  • Acute diarrhea: The most common, acute diarrhea is loose and watery stool that lasts one to two days.  This type of diarrhea doesn’t need treatment, and usually resolves itself.
  • Persistent diarrhea: This type of diarrhea generally lasts for two to four weeks.
  • Chronic diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts for more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period of time.
Possible causes of diarrhea include:
  • Viral infection (“intestinal flu”)
  • Bacterial infection
  • Food allergies or intolerances (Celiac disease or lactose intolerance)
  • Reaction to medications (particularly antibiotics)

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

The symptoms of diarrhea include:
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Nausea
  • Dehydration
  • Electrolyte imbalance

How is diarrhea treated?

Dr. Meyerson will do a sigmoidoscopy to look in your anus with a flexible lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope to rule out other underlying medical conditions leading to diarrhea.  Diarrhea can often be resolved with a bland, low-fiber diet, proper hydration, cutting back on caffeine, and avoiding foods that give you gas.  Over-the-counter medications may also help, as can probiotics.