DIARRHEA

If you are passing loose watery stools three times a day or more, then you have diarrhea. Diarrhea can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea resolves on its own after 2-3 days whereas chronic diarrhea continues for weeks and need proper medical attention.

If you leave diarrhea unattended, it can lead to some serious complications. The two most common are dehydration which deplete your body of essential fluid and electrolyte balance and malabsorption in which your body does not absorb enough nutrients present in food.

The most common cause of diarrhea is a viral infection. This has led to the use of terms "intestinal flu" and "stomach flu” for this condition.

There are many other causes of this condition including:

• Allergies to certain foods

• Bacterial infection

• Intestinal diseases (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)

• Celiac Disease

• Certain Medications

• Hyperthyroidism

• Some cancers

• Radiation therapy

• Travelling from one place to the other “traveler’s diarrhea”

• Surgery on your digestive system

• Malabsorption syndromes

At NYC, latest diagnostic techniques are used which follow a thorough medical history of the patient and a complete physical examination. The techniques include:

• Blood and stool examination

• Colonoscopy

• Endoscopy of upper gastrointestinal tract

• SIBO testing/Breath tests

Our expert gastroenterologist follows the most effective treatment regime. It begins with a conservative management involving modifications in diet and lifestyle. Then we proceed towards medications which usually involves antibiotics and probiotics. Finally, diagnostic tools such as colonoscopy may be necessary to solve the problem