Treatment options for chronic diarrhea

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Individuals can develop diarrhea every now and then, but chronic diarrhea can indicate a serious underlying medical condition. Diarrhea is characterized by three or more loose stools that last for 24 hours or more. In case the exact cause of chronic diarrhea is not determined, it is vital to seek medical care. If the cause of the diarrhea is known and does not entail medical intervention such as antibiotics, first aid care and treatments at home can be given to help alleviate the condition.

If you suspect that an individual is suffering from diarrhea, it is best to schedule an appointment so that proper diagnosis can be provided. In case the diarrhea persists or accompanied by other symptoms, it might indicate an underlying health issue that must be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible so that proper treatment can be started as soon as possible.

Antibiotic treatment for chronic diarrhea

Antibiotics might be prescribed by a doctor in order to treat a case of chronic diarrhea. It is important to note that if the condition is caused by bacteria such as Clostridium difficile, it usually improves once antibiotics are given.

Always remember that if the individual is given a new medication, it might cause diarrhea. If the diarrhea persists after a new medication is started, it is important to inform the doctor.

Chronic diarrhea
Diarrhea is characterized by three or more loose stools that last for 24 hours or more.

Probiotics

If you have not heard about probiotics, these are usually available in yogurt but also available in some cultured liquid milk products as well as in pill or powder form. Probiotics are usually effective in treating and preventing diarrhea that was caused by using antibiotics as well as from other causes. The most common probiotics that are usually present in some food products include saccharomyces boulardii and lactobacillus GG.

Medications

The anti-diarrheal medications are not recommended for long-term use but effective for short-term use. It is important to consult a doctor if the chronic diarrhea lasts for more than two days since it can be an indication of a serious underlying medical condition.

Gluten-free diet

In studies conducted among individuals who have chronic diarrhea and weight loss, most of these individuals have celiac disease which is basically an auto-immune disease that occurs due to an allergy to gluten. Take note that gluten is the protein present in wheat, barley and rye. In most cases, individuals respond positively to a combination of steroids and a gluten-free diet.

Avoiding lactose

Individuals who are lactose intolerant typically experience diarrhea or loose stools after eating dairy products such as soft cheese, milk and ice cream. Limiting the intake of these food items can stop the diarrhea it is caused by lactose intolerance. It is important that the individual will carefully read the food labels in order to prevent diarrhea from occurring.

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