why my loose motion is not stopping - #18511
I am really worried because this loose motion just won’t stop! For the last four days, I've been running to the bathroom every few minutes. I didn’t change my diet or anything that I know of. It started after I had some takeout from this new place I was excited about. I mean, it was delicious, but now I regret it so much! Initially, it was just watery stools, which I thought might be over in a day, but no luck. Drinking more water and taking Imodium hasn’t helped. My stomach is cramping all the time, and I'm exhausted. I tried eating bland foods like bananas and rice, but that didn’t work out either. My doctor suggested some tests, but the results came back as basically normal? I don’t understand why my loose motion is still not stopping! Is there something more serious that I should be considering? Does anyone know of any home remedies that actually work? Or maybe there’s something that might have been missed in the tests? I just need some relief and to understand why my loose motion is not stopping. It’s really impacting my daily life, and I'm starting to feel helpless. Any advice would be super appreciated!
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Doctors' responses
Persistent loose motion for four days, especially with accompanying symptoms like cramping and exhaustion, can be quite debilitating and concerning. Since your tests returned normal, it’s unlikely to be an acute infection needing antibiotics, but let’s not rule out all possibilities just yet. Sometimes viral infections or a non-infectious cause like irritable bowel syndrome can cause ongoing diarrhea. Stress or anxiety itself, can exacerbate these symptoms, although this seems triggered by the meal you mentioned. However, if there was any unnoticed food contamination, food poisoning might still be at play, and this can linger for a few days. Consider gradual hydration with an oral rehydration solution to prevent dehydration, particularly since plain water may not replace necessary electrolytes. Keep meals bland and small, favoring well-cooked starches like rice and potatoes; avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods for now, as they can worsen diarrhea. It’s possible to consider probiotic supplements, as they might help restore the natural balance of bacterial flora in your gut. Still it seems wise to follow up with your doctor. You might need additional stool tests, particularly for less common pathogens. There’s also a small chance of microscopic colitis or another form of inflammatory bowel disease, although your history doesn’t immediately suggest these. If you notice blood in stools, high fever, or continuing weight loss, seek immediate medical attention. These are red flags that require prompt evaluation. Also, while home remedies might be tempting, they shouldn’t delay professional medical assessment if symptoms persist or worsen. Stay alert to your body’s signals and adjust your approach accordingly without ignoring any significant or new developments.
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