stop loose motion immediately - #17042
I am super worried because I’ve been dealing with loose motion for the past couple of days, and it’s really affecting my daily life. It started out of nowhere after I had some street food, and ever since I can’t seem to stop loose motion immediately! I've tried some over-the-counter meds, but nothing seems to work. I mean, one minute I'm fine, then the next I’m running to the bathroom again. I've even cut out dairy and really spicy foods, but still nothing. Last night, I was up every hour, and I’m just exhausted! Why does this loose motion just keep happening? I drank lots of water and had some bananas, thinking that might help, and also tried some rice, but it’s like my stomach just doesn’t want to cooperate. Should I be worried about dehydration? I feel weak, and like my body just can’t handle this anymore. How do I stop loose motion immediately? I really can’t afford to be sick like this when I have work to catch up on. Does anyone else have tips or know what could help? I totally could use some advice because this is getting too much to handle!
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Doctors’ responses
It’s definitely frustrating to face persistent loose motions, especially when they’re affecting your daily life. Given that your symptoms started after eating street food, it’s possible you have a case of gastroenteritis, which can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Since you’re feeling weak, it’s crucial to ensure you’re staying hydrated, as dehydration is a major concern with diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) can help replenish electrolytes and fluids more effectively than just water. You seem to have a handle on dietary adjustments, which is great. Continue avoiding dairy, spicy, and greasy foods, as they can aggravate your symptoms. A bland diet including bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) is generally well-tolerated for soothing digestive issues. However, if symptoms persist, seeking direct medical attention is a good idea. It may be necessary to rule out bacterial infections that might require antibiotics or other specific treatments. Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) can be used to slow down diarrhea, but it’s essential to use them cautiously, especially if there’s fever or blood in the stool, as it could worsen some bacterial infections. Avoid anti-diarrheal meds until infection is ruled out. As this has been ongoing, it could be helpful to see a doctor for a stool sample test to pinpoint the exact cause and get appropriate treatment. Additionally, symptoms like blood in the stool, high fever, severe pain, or signs of dehydration like decreased urination, dizziness, or increased heart rate require immediate medical evaluation. Your work commitments are important, but your health comes first, so don’t delay seeking professional help if the condition remains unresolved.
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