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Control loose motion
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Digestive Health
Question #12202
45 days ago
86

Control loose motion - #12202

Rohan

I am dealing with this super annoying issue where I can't seem to control loose motion. It all started a week ago after I ate some street food that probably wasn't the best choice. At first, I thought it was just a quick upset stomach, but now I'm going to the bathroom way too often. My stomach feels crampy and sort of gurgly, and it's like there's no end in sight. I tried some OTC medications, but they don't seem to really help me control loose motion like I hoped they would. I've had to cancel plans, and I’m just really starting to worry a bit about what’s going on. I’ve tried drinking more water and eating bland stuff but nothing seems to help with controlling the loose motion. Is there anything else I can try? I feel like I’m stuck in this cycle of loose motion and then feeling weak and tired. Also, I read something about probiotics — do they really help with this? Or should I just go see a doctor? Anyone else been able to better control loose motion in a faster way? Would love some advice, because this is really throwing off my week!

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Doctors’ responses

Dealing with persistent loose motion can definitely disrupt your routine, but there are some steps you can take to manage the situation while ensuring you don’t overlook anything serious. Given that it started a week ago and followed eating questionable street food, it might be an infection like gastroenteritis. However, if this persists, deeper underlying issues like inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome should be considered, and you may need further evaluation by a healthcare professional. First, focus on hydration. This is vital to avoid dehydration, especially if fluid loss is significant. Oral rehydration solutions or broth can be more effective than plain water, because they contain electrolytes. As for diet, sticking to bland, easy-to-digest foods is often advised. Foods with soluble fiber, like bananas, rice, and applesauce, might help firm up your stools. Probiotics might assist in restoring gut flora balance — look for Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, which have some evidence backing their use in diarrhea recovery. Still, they won’t work instantly, so manage expectations on how quickly you might notice improvement. Over-the-counter medications like loperamide can sometimes be helpful, but it’s crucial that you only use them when there’s no blood in stool or high fever, as they could worsen severe infections by slowing down intestinal transit time. If your symptoms persist beyond a few more days, worsen, or are accompanied by significant pain, blood, or fever, make an appointment with a doctor. This is important because those red flags could indicate a more severe condition that requires specific treatment. In this kind of scenario, relying on home remedies could delay necessary care and potentially-increase complications.

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