Control loose motion - #11835
I am in quite a bind lately and really need some help on how to control loose motion. It started about a week ago after I ate at this new restaurant – the food was bomb but I don’t think my stomach appreciated it. Now, I’m running to the bathroom like every hour, sometimes even more. I’ve tried some over-the-counter meds, but they don’t seem to control loose motion like I hoped. I feel bloated and, honestly, kinda embarrassed to talk about this. It’s making going to work impossible. I had to miss a couple of important meetings because I just couldn’t step away from the bathroom. I’ve also been drinking plenty of water, thinking that might help with balancing things out, but still can’t seem to control loose motion. Eating light foods like bananas and rice hasn’t done much either. Should I be doing something different? Are there certain foods I should avoid or any home remedies to control loose motion? I’m getting really frustrated here, just want to feel normal again! Any advice would be super appreciated!
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Doctors’ responses
Managing loose motion can be a hassle, especially when it interferes with your daily routine. Based on the details, it sounds like your situation started with food-related issues, potentially food poisoning or an infection. The persistence of your symptoms beyond a few days suggests it might be time to consider more focused measures. First, make sure you’re sticking with bland, easy-to-digest foods, but since it hasn’t worked so far, you might want to try eliminating dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and very sugary foods temporarily as they can worsen diarrhea in some cases. Since you’re already drinking water, ensure it’s supplemented with electrolytes to replace what you’re losing – oral rehydration solutions or sports drinks can help here. Peppermint tea or ginger tea can sometimes aid with bloating and symptoms too.
If over-the-counter medications haven’t helped, it’s possible you’re dealing with something that requires a different approach. It’s significant to avoid anti-diarrheal medications over long periods without medical advice because they can sometimes mask an underlying issue. If your symptoms persist much longer, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to check for infections, inflammatory conditions, or other causes, as prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other complications. They may suggest a course of probiotics to help rebalance your gut bacteria, or some lab work to look more closely at what’s going on. If you experience high fever, severe abdominal pain, or blood in your stools, these are red flags that need immediate medical evaluation. Until you can see a doctor, continue focusing on small, frequent meals that are gentle on your stomach and ensure adequate fluid intake.
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