Diarrhea Treatment Specialist Q&A

Are you experiencing bloating, blood in stool, indigestion, nausea, dehydration, or loss of appetite? These are the common signs of diarrhea and if left untreated, may lead to a serious condition. Visit Digestive Disease Care today to get treatment by board-certified gastroenterologists to help find the root cause of your problem and provide comprehensive and personalized care. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Babylon NY, East Setauket NY, Forest Hills NY, Jamaica NY, Jericho NY, Lake Success NY, Melville NY, Mineola NY, Massapequa NY and New Hyde Park NY.

Diarrhea Treatment Specialist Near Me in Jamaica NY, Melville NY, New Hyde Park NY, Forest Hills NY, Jericho NY, Mineola NY, Lake Success NY, Babylon NY, Massapequa NY and East Setauket NY

We are all familiar with the uncomfortable sensation of loose, watery bowel movements, a condition known as diarrhea. Diarrhea is characterized by an urgent need to defecate, as well as a watery stool. This is often a symptom of sicknesses, such as the flu or food poisoning, but can also be a condition on its own. Diarrhea does not always need medical treatment, but certain situations do require the attention of a medical professional, including recurring cases of diarrhea.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea include:

• Loose, watery stools
• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Blood in the stool
• Mucus in the stool
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement

Fortunately, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no longer than a few days. However, if diarrhea persists, lasting weeks, it may be a sign of an underlying medical problem, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or persistent infection. It is important to see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms alongside diarrhea:

• Does not improve after two days
• Dehydration
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Bloody or black stools
• Fever above 102ºF

How do you know if it’s a stomach virus or food poisoning?

A stomach virus is a viral infection that affects the digestive system; this is also known as viral gastroenteritis. Food poisoning is caused by contaminated food that has spoiled, been unhygienically prepared, or has been corrupted in any way. Food poisoning is most commonly caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by viruses, and less commonly parasites.

The symptoms of a stomach virus include:

• Diarrhea that may be watery or bloody
• A loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach cramps, muscle aches, or weakness
• Low-grade fever
• Headaches
• Light-headedness or dizziness

The symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain and cramping
• A fever, chills, and body aches
• Dizziness and lightheadedness from dehydration

What is good to stop diarrhea in adults?

In adults, diarrhea is very common, and it can also be frustrating having to make urgent bathroom breaks all too frequently. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can stop diarrhea and lessen its symptoms. These include:

• Hydration — Staying properly hydrated is one of the best defenses against diarrhea. This works doubly, as it prevents diarrhea from causing dehydration, and also lessens diarrhea symptoms.

• Probiotics — Good bacteria, known as probiotics, work in the intestinal tract to aid in digestion and create a healthy gut environment. Sources of probiotics include aged soft cheeses, beet kvass, cottage cheese, dark chocolate, green olives, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso, natto, pickles, sourdough bread, tempeh, and yogurt.

• Foods to Eat — Certain foods can actually ameliorate diarrhea symptoms and prevent one’s health from worsening. These include bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast.

• Foods to Avoid — On the contrary, some foods can actually exacerbate symptoms and make diarrhea worse, including alcohol, beans, artificial sweeteners, coffee, tea, milk, peppers, and corn.

What infections cause watery diarrhea?

The following types of infections can cause watery diarrhea:

Viruses that can cause watery diarrhea include:

• Rotavirus
• Norovirus
• Astroviruses
• Adenoviruses

Bacteria that can cause watery stools are:

• Campylobacter
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• Clostridium Difficile
• Cholera
• Parasites that can cause watery stools:
• Cryptosporidiosis is caused by microscopic parasites
• Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis
• Giardia (also called giardiasis) is caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia

If you or someone you love is experiencing diarrhea, the board-certified gastroenterologists at Digestive Disease Care can help you find relief. Contact us today or book an appointment online with our diarrhea treatment specialist. We have convenient locations to serve you in Jamaica NY, Melville NY, New Hyde Park NY, Forest Hills NY, Jericho NY, Mineola NY, Lake Success NY, Babylon NY, East Setauket NY, Massapequa NY and BEYOND.