Diarrhea can strike at any time, causing you to run to the bathroom more frequently than usual. Sometimes, diarrhea is simply a symptom of a stomach bug or something you ate — but other times it can signal a bigger issue.
If you’re experiencing more diarrhea than usual, it’s a good idea to seek treatment at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants with locations in the Woodlands, Willis, and Magnolia, Texas.
Dr. Ilyas Memon is a gastroenterology specialist providing treatments for conditions like diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and abdominal pain for relief of intestinal symptoms.
Diarrhea happens when you have to go to the bathroom more frequently due to loose or watery stools. It can be a one-time issue from something you ate, or a chronic problem from an underlying condition.
People experience diarrhea for various reasons. Some of the most prevalent causes of diarrhea include:
It’s essential to find out what’s causing diarrhea, because it can lead to dehydration without treatment. The body loses a lot of fluid with long bouts of diarrhea, which leads to other serious health problems.
Sometimes diarrhea resolves on its own with home treatment and diet modifications. But if it persists, it’s essential to get professional treatment to avoid other complications.
Expert evaluation for diarrhea may be necessary in any of the following circumstances:
Usually, diarrhea resolves after a few trips to the bathroom and home care or bowel rest. However, if it persists for more than two days, it’s time to get professional treatment.
Persistent diarrhea can signal an underlying GI problem that requires treatment.
Dehydration is a serious problem that happens when the body loses more water than it takes in. Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration in severe cases.
If you have dark urine, a dry mouth, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or have excessive thirst, you could be experiencing dehydration.
Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with mucus or pus is a definite sign to seek treatment. These symptoms usually mean something else is going on in the intestines, including infections and damage.
A fever is typically a sign of an infection, which usually warrants treatment. Diarrhea accompanied by a fever could be a sign that you need antibiotics to clear up the infection and alleviate watery stools.
Diarrhea can lead to abdominal pain and cramping, but if it’s severe, it’s essential to get treatment. Abdominal pain could signal that something’s going on in the GI tract, such as an infection or a chronic health problem that warrants treatment.
The treatment for diarrhea depends on the cause. For example, if you have irritable bowel syndrome, it’s essential to discover what foods trigger diarrhea episodes and eliminate them from your diet.
Lifestyle changes are sometimes enough to control bouts of diarrhea, especially from certain foods. Foods with low fiber, like bananas, applesauce, rice, and toast, can alleviate bouts of diarrhea. You can also use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications.
If diarrhea stems from an infection, we prescribe antibiotics to kill bacteria that could be causing intestinal discomfort. Other medications that address issues like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can also help with diarrhea.
It’s essential to drink plenty of fluids and find out what’s causing diarrhea to get long-term relief. Managing chronic conditions helps regulate your GI system for regular bowel movements.
To learn more about our diarrhea treatments, call one of our conveniently located offices in Texas or request a consultation on our website.