Diarrhea

Question 1

What is Diarrhea?

Answer 1

Diarrhea refers to a bowel movement composed of loose, watery stools. If you have diarrhea, you will likely suffer more frequent trips to the bathroom than usual. Persistent diarrhea should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as it may be a symptom of a serious illness or condition. Diarrhea used to be one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. because if left untreated, it can lead to serious dehydration.

Question 2

Symptoms of Diarrhea

Answer 2

Most everyone knows what diarrhea looks like and feels like. Frequent loose or watery bowel movements are no fun. In a serious case of diarrhea, the symptoms you can expect include:

Abdominal pain
Bloating
Bloody or black-colored stools
Cramping
Dehydration
Dizziness
Fever above 102° F (39° C)
Little or dark-colored urine
Rectal pain
Vomiting
If you experience any of these symptoms with diarrhea, make sure you get plenty of fluids and come in to see Dr. Khodadadian.

Question 3

Causes of Diarrhea

Answer 3

There are many causes of diarrhea. Underlying them all is your body’s inability to absorb the water from food and fluid as they pass through your colon, which results in the loose, watery stools. This can be due to the type or quantity of food you eat or because of an illness in your digestive tract. Here are the most common causes of diarrhea:

Bacteria or parasites from contaminated, spoiled or undercooked food (usually meats and dairy products)
Contaminated water (often in a developing country)
Viruses from unwashed surfaces or personal contact with infected individuals
Antibiotics that indiscriminately kill bacteria, creating the possibility of infection
Other medications, like some cancer drugs, blood pressure drugs and antacids
Lactose intolerance
Fructose intolerance
Intolerance for certain artificial sweeteners
Previous abdominal surgery, such as to remove your gallbladder
Chronic digestive diseases such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, microscopic colitis, chronic pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions that need full evaluation by a gastroenterologist for appropriate workup.

Question 4

Diagnosing Diarrhea

Answer 4

If you’re experiencing severe diarrhea, Dr. Khodadadian wants to find out what’s causing it so he can treat it properly. When you come in for a visit to his office on the Upper East Side, he’ll give you a physical exam. He also will review your medical history and any recent changes in your diet. If you’re taking any medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, please tell him. If necessary, he will collect blood, urine and/or stool samples for further analysis and may prescribe certain diagnostic tests or procedures as needed.

Question 5

Treating Diarrhea

Answer 5

If your diarrhea lasts longer than a couple days, you may need treatment. Treatment options include:

Addressing an underlying medical problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease, which only a gastroenterologist can resolve
Adjusting your medications
Antibiotics
Avoiding dairy until you are well again
Changing your diet
Replacing lost fluid, either orally or intravenously
Restoring electrolyte balance