Diarrhea Treatment In Henderson And Las Vegas, NV
It’s a very common problem that will happen to people at some during their lifetime, but it’s often something that is embarrassing to discuss. Of course, most of the time diarrhea isn’t a cause for much concern, but it’s important to know more about it so you might be able to figure out the root cause and when you might want to visit us.
On average, diarrhea usually lasts about two to three days and there are many over-the-counter medications that you can take to help relieve these symptoms. Of course, if you have been diagnosed with a digestive condition like irritable bowel syndrome, you may be more likely to experience diarrhea on a more consistent basis.
Common symptoms of diarrhea include abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, watery stool, thin stools and even a sudden need to have a bowel movement. If you experience more serious symptoms such as blood or mucus in the stool, fever or weight loss then it’s time to seek medical care.
Unfortunately, there are so many things that can cause diarrhea that it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause without discussing and possibly even monitoring your symptoms. Sometimes a virus such as gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”) is to blame, but everything from taking certain medications and consuming specific foods to allergies or alcohol abuse can also cause diarrhea.
It’s important that you call us right away if:
- You notice blood in your stool or black stools
- You have a high fever or a fever that lasts a couple days
- You have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days
- You also experience nausea or vomiting that keeps you from being able to stay hydrated
- You have severe stomach pains
- You experience diarrhea after traveling overseas
Those with mild symptoms may be able to let the issue resolve on its own or may find relief from over-the-counter remedies. Staying hydrated and eating foods that are easy on your stomach can help soothe rather than exacerbate your condition.
If your symptoms have you coming into our office, the first course of action will be to determine the cause of your diarrhea. If we suspect that a food allergy is to blame you may need to avoid that food to see if symptoms go away. If there are digestive issues that we are unable to determine either through your symptoms alone or with other tests then we may recommend a colonoscopy.