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reasons of loose motion
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Digestive Health
Question #16216
45 days ago
115

reasons of loose motion - #16216

Parthiv

I am a bit concerned about this constant loose motion I've been having for the past few days. At first, I thought it was just something I ate, but now I'm on day 4 and it hasn’t stopped. I was at a friend's BBQ last weekend and maybe I was too adventurous with the charcoal grilled stuff! Anyways, the loose motion has been really uncomfortable, like I feel this urgency to go, and then I have these cramps after I eat. I’m kinda freaking out because I tried avoiding dairy and greasy food as much as I can. I googled some reasons of loose motion and saw everything from stress to infections, but honestly, I don’t know what to believe. I also noticed some light nausea but no fever, which I read might be a good sign? Is there any chance this could just be a temporary glitch? I haven’t been traveling recently or anything, just stress from work. Should I try to stick it out or do I need to see a doc? I keep thinking about the reasons of loose motion, but it just doesn’t make sense. Should I be worried about dehydration? I’m trying to drink water but I feel like I can’t keep anything down. Any advice would be super helpful!

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Doctors’ responses

Constant loose motions over the span of several days can be concerning and it’s important to consider a range of possible causes. Starting with some common reasons, food poisoning or a gastrointestinal infection could be at play, especially after having grilled food at a BBQ, where meats might have been improperly cooked or stored. Viral gastroenteritis and bacterial infections like Salmonella or E. coli can cause symptoms similar to what you’re describing. Additionally, stress can indeed trigger digestive issues, leading to diarrhea, but typically it would be in conjunction with other identifiable factors. Since you mentioned avoiding dairy and greasy foods, these are good measures because lactose intolerance or excessive fat intake can exacerbate your symptoms. Now, considering you’ve had this for four days and experience urgency and cramps, it’s important to monitor for signs of dehydration, like dizziness or reduced urination, as diarrhea can lead to fluid loss. Rehydration is critical, so oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte drinks may be more beneficial than plain water in retaining the necessary salts and sugars your body needs during diarrhea. If you feel like you can’t keep fluids down or notice any alarming symptoms like blood in stools, unexplained weight loss or severe abdominal pain, it’s prudent to see a healthcare provider without further delay. In the absence of fever, this might not be an infection of a more systemic nature, but it’s still a good idea to get a professional evaluation. They might conduct stool tests or other diagnostics to determine the underlying cause. If it turns out to be a temporary issue, rest, hydration, and anti-diarrheal medications, if recommended by a doctor, can relieve symptoms. However, if work stress is an exacerbating factor, managing stress through rest, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques could also play a role in your recovery. So, while it might be tempting to wait it out, given the persistence of your symptoms, you’re better off consulting a medical professional to get a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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