Diarrhea Specialist

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition where you have loose, watery stools three or more times a day. Acute diarrhea can happen because of a minor illness or dietary issues and usually gets better on its own in a day or two.

If you have persistent diarrhea that lasts 2-4 weeks or chronic diarrhea that lasts longer than four weeks, it could be due to:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Parasites
• Lactose intolerance
• Use of some medications

Chronic diarrhea can also be a side effect of underlying health problems in your gastrointestinal tract, like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or celiac disease.

When should I seek treatment for diarrhea?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation for diarrhea that lasts more than two days or if you have symptoms that continue to get worse. These symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Blood or mucus in stool

If not treated, chronic diarrhea can cause potentially life-threatening dehydration, especially in children and older adults. Signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dark urine, dry mouth, and lightheadedness.

The Gastroenterology Group team offers on-site blood work, stool tests, and other diagnostic tests to identify the cause of your diarrhea and other symptoms. You might also need a flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or upper endoscopy to evaluate your digestive tract.

How is diarrhea treated?

The Gastroenterology Group team might also recommend medications to treat underlying gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease. If you have diarrhea because of a bacterial or parasitic infection, you’ll need antibiotics to clear it.

Drink plenty of fluids; you must remain hydrated. If you can’t keep fluids down, you’ll need to receive intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration and its complications. These fluids can be administered in The Gastroenterology Group offices.

The team can provide guidance on dietary changes you need to make to prevent additional diarrhea problems, especially if you have celiac disease or other gastrointestinal disorders. They also offer customized treatment plans for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Call The Gastroenterology Group today or go online to schedule a consultation for persistent or chronic diarrhea.