Diarrhea in Baton Rouge, LA
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Find a ProviderWhat is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery stools that typically happen three or more times a day. Usually, diarrhea lasts for only a short period of time, but chronic or persistent diarrhea can indicate a far more serious cause. Diarrhea can occasionally be treated with home remedies. The most imperative thing to do is to drink plenty of fluids to replenish the fluids being lost during those watery bowel movements. You can also incorporate bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast into your diet. If you think you could have a virus or bacterial infection, antivirals or antibiotics might be prescribed. Additionally, you can use over-the-counter medications with your physician’s oversight. However, there are some diseases, conditions, and cancers that manifest themselves through diarrhea. These can include colon cancer, Crohn's disease, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). That is why it is important to avoid self-diagnosing and to reach out to a specialist if serious diarrhea develops. You are not alone and you can receive treatment for diarrhea in Baton Rouge, LA. You can request a consultation with a local GI physician through Gastroenterology Associates.
What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a quite common digestive health condition. Nearly all of us have dealt with watery and loose bowel movements after eating some bad food, during stressful periods in our lives, or after beginning a new medication. But diarrhea can, in some situations, indicate that something more serious is going on within your body. Below are some of the possible conditions or habits with the potential to lead to diarrhea:
- Artificial sweeteners
- Abuse of laxatives
- Surgery (sometimes abdominal and gallbladder removal surgeries can cause diarrhea)
- Viral infection
- Some cancers
- Overactive thyroid
- Difficulty digesting fructose
- Bacteria and parasites from contaminated food or water
- Alcohol abuse
- Runner’s diarrhea
- Therapy involving radiation
- Malabsorption (difficulty absorbing certain nutrients)
- Lactose intolerance
When should I visit a gastroenterologist for diarrhea?
If your diarrhea becomes serious, call a gastrointestinal specialist at Gastroenterology Associates with no delay. A few hallmarks of severe diarrhea could include the following:
- Diarrhea accompanied by a fever
- Diarrhea that lasts more than two days
- Dark urine and diarrhea
- Severe stomach pain
- Vomiting accompanied by diarrhea
- Diarrhea after travel to a foreign country
Should any of the above issues manifest themselves, it is imperative that you seek professional help. It is always better to err on the side of caution. If you feel that you should consult with a GI doctor in regard to diarrhea, please get in touch with us today. Our team routinely provides treatment for diarrhea in Baton Rouge, LA.
Diarrhea could be a symptom of something serious
While the majority of people will experience occasional diarrhea at some point during their lifetimes, it could be an indicator of a more serious condition. If you or a family member are suffering from severe diarrhea in conjunction with other bothersome gastrointestinal symptoms, it may be time to request an appointment with a gastroenterologist to look at your symptoms more closely. If you are experiencing troubling GI symptoms or need care for diarrhea in Baton Rouge, LA, reach out to Gastroenterology Associates, to get in touch with a GI specialist right away.
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