
If the diarrhea is severe, frequent, long lasting or it comes with the following symptoms, you should consult a doctor: It is therefore particularly important to ensure that small children and babies do not become dehydrated due to diarrhea. However, if you have watery stools and are using the toilet three or more times a day, failure to drink enough fluids can cause dehydration which can be dangerous if not treated. It can be treated with over-the-counter medicines available from your local pharmacy or online. In most instances, diarrhea will clear up of it’s own accord, so there won’t be a need to consult a doctor. Other causes include: allergies to certain foods, medical conditions (eg: diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal diseases and some cancers), bacterial infections (eg: food poisoning), medications, alcohol abuse and laxative abuse. There are many different things can cause diarrhoea but the most common cause is a viral infection in the gut. No matter how long it lasts, it is unpleasant and can be very distressing.
SORE BUM FROM DIARRHEA PROFESSIONAL
If, however, it continues for weeks, this can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition for which professional medical advice should be sought. It is a common condition which is usually not serious and only lasts a couple of days. In some cases, medications could be causing your stool to appear bloody.Diarrhea refers to the condition in which stools (aka faeces) are discharged from the bowels frequently and in “loose” or liquid form. In addition, the more information you share about your diet, recent medications, and lifestyle, the better your doctor can assess your symptoms. They will want to rule out parasites or bacteria that may be common in the places where you traveled. Always seek medical care if you also feel lightheaded, can’t eat or drink, or have severe abdominal pain.Īs bloody diarrhea can be caused by parasites or bacteria, be sure to let your doctor know about any recent trips. Kumarīecause bloody diarrhea is not normal, you should call your doctor if you see more than a few streaks of blood in your stool. Important questions to ask your doctor: What caused this? Do I need any treatment for this? -Dr. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. People at increased risk may be advised to start screening even earlier.Ĭolorectal cancer usually causes some changes to your bowel habits and eating patterns. If you are between age 50 and 75, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends colorectal cancer screening. This is why a colonoscopy screening test, which detects and removes these small polyps before they become cancerous, is important. The cancers usually begin as small polyps that become cancerous over time. Colorectal cancer typically affects adults over age 50, but it can happen in younger adults. Change in bowel habits, often including bloodĬancer of the colon (large intestine) or rectum is considered colorectal cancer.When did these symptoms start? Are they accompanied by other symptoms (even non-bowel related symptoms)? Did the patient travel anywhere or eat somewhere and now other people are sick, too? What’s their overall health profile? Are they in severe pain, are they bleeding profusely (things that would prompt me to admit them to a hospital, get bloodwork and imaging studies). You may be at increased risk of colorectal cancer, so you will need more regular cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies.Įstablishing a story around the bloody diarrhea helps me a lot. Once diagnosed with IBD, you will require regular check ups with your gastroenterologist (digestive disease doctor). Treatment includes taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as topical or oral steroids, and immunologic medications that tamp down your immune system. Managing the condition involves eliminating the inflammation with medication and diet. Untreated IBD causes inflammation throughout the digestive tract, which can lead to malnutrition, cancers, bleeding, and overall poor health. Symptoms may develop gradually or occur suddenly. It is due to multiple factors, including genetics, the environment, and your body’s immune system. There are two types: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is inflammation of the bowel.
