Diarrhea in Northwest Arkansas
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Find a ProviderWhat is diarrhea?
Diarrhea describes the occurrence of watery, loose bowel movements that happen with greater frequency than normal bowel movements. Having loose stools three times a day or more is considered diarrhea. In general, diarrhea only lasts for a short amount of time, but persistent or ongoing troubles can point to a significantly more serious cause. Diarrhea can occasionally be treated with home remedies. One of the most effective things to do is to drink a great deal of fluids to replenish all of the fluids being lost during watery bowel movements. You can also include bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast into your diet. Should you believe you have a virus or bacteria, antivirals or antibiotics may be prescribed. Additionally, you can use over-the-counter medications with your specialist's supervision. However, there are some diseases, conditions, and cancers that manifest, in part, through diarrhea. These can include — but are not limited to— Crohn's disease, colon cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome. For these reasons, it is important not to self-diagnose but to meet with a specialist if serious diarrhea develops. You are not alone, and you can get treatment for diarrhea in Arkansas. You can connect with a local gastrointestinal physician through GI Alliance of Arkansas.
What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a familiar condition for many. Nearly all of us have experienced watery and loose bowel movements as a result of eating some bad food, during stressful periods in our lives, or after beginning a new medication. But diarrhea can, in some cases, let you know that something of greater consequence is happening with your body. Here is a list of possible conditions or habits that can precipitate diarrhea:
- Surgery (sometimes abdominal and gallbladder removal surgeries can cause diarrhea)
- Therapy involving radiation
- Parasites or bacteria from contaminated food or water
- Runner's diarrhea
- Lactose intolerance
- Abuse of laxatives
- Overactive thyroid
- Viral infection
- Fructose (difficulty digesting it)
- Some cancers/Cancer
- Alcohol abuse
- Artificial sweeteners
- Malabsorption (trouble absorbing certain nutrients)
At what point should I visit a gastroenterologist for diarrhea?
Reach out to a gastrointestinal physician at GI Alliance of Arkansas if you are experiencing severe diarrhea. Here are some of the signs that your symptoms have reached a point where medical treatment is advised:
- Diarrhea accompanied by a fever
- Diarrhea that lasts more than two days
- Dark urine and diarrhea
- Intense stomach pain
- Vomiting in conjunction with diarrhea
- Diarrhea post vacation to a foreign country
If any of the above issues manifest themselves, it is essential that you seek professional help. It is always better to err on the side of caution. If you feel that you should talk to a gastroenterologist in regard to your diarrhea symptoms, please reach out to us right away. Our team provides treatment for diarrhea in Arkansas.
Diarrhea might be a symptom of something serious
While most people can expect to suffer from diarrhea occasionally throughout the course of their lifetimes, it can sometimes be symptomatic of a more serious digestive health issue. If you or a loved one are suffering from frequent diarrhea in tandem with other troubling gastrointestinal symptoms, it might be cause for an appointment with a gastroenterologist to look more closely at your symptoms. You can connect with a gastroenterology specialist at GI Alliance of Arkansas. If you are suffering from worrisome gastrointestinal symptoms or need care for diarrhea in Arkansas, call our office to be connected to an expert as soon as possible.
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