which medicine for loose motion - #16416
I am super confused and a bit anxious about my situation... I’ve been dealing with this loose motion for the past week! It started pretty mild but man, now it feels like every time I eat, I just run to the bathroom. I’ve tried some over-the-counter stuff, but honestly, I'm not sure which medicine for loose motion really works. A couple of days ago, I thought maybe it's just something I ate — I had street food which was kinda sketchy, and the next morning was when it all went downhill. Now, I can't even keep my regular meals down, and it’s throwing my whole week off. I'm worried about dehydration and all that, and my stomach feels like a blowfish sometimes, bloated and gassy. Have any of you experienced something similar? Which medicine for loose motion did you find helpful? I read somewhere about loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, but do I take that even if I don't know the cause? Does age matter when figuring out which medicine for loose motion is best? I mean, I’m in my 30s, but still... is there a point where I should just go to the doc? I feel like I'm stuck googling and it's stressing me out. Help!
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Doctors’ responses
It sounds like you’ve been having a rough time dealing with this. When it comes to managing loose motion, especially after eating possibly contaminated food, there are a couple of approaches you can consider. Over-the-counter medications like loperamide can reduce symptoms by slowing down how fast things move through your intestines, potentially giving your digestive system some time to recover. However, be cautious—if you suspect an infection like food poisoning or any bacterial cause, using loperamide might not be the best initial step, as it can keep harmful bacteria inside longer. In such cases, letting things run their course while staying hydrated is important. Bismuth subsalicylate is another option that can help reduce diarrhea and has some antibacterial properties. It’s relatively safe and can handle minor infections while soothing the stomach a bit. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes to prevent dehydration—simple water might not be enough if you’re losing lots of fluids. Oral rehydration solutions are helpful, too. If things aren’t improving, and especially if you notice signs of dehydration like severe thirst, dark urine, dizziness, or if there’s blood in your stools, it’s time to see a doctor. They can determine if you need antibiotics or any further tests, particularly if it’s been going on for over a week. Regarding age, while you’re in your 30s, the management is generally similar unless you have underlying health risks that could complicate things further. Symptoms dragging on this long definitely warrant professional advice to understand the root cause. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider for a tailored approach if you’re unsure or if the symptoms escalate.
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