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I have been having very loose stools (watery w/some ...

Sent to Health Experts September 21, 2006 3:02 a.m.

I have been having very loose stools (watery w/some substance, sometimes foamy) for the past 4 days, lots of bowel sounds - I am feeling fine in between these bouts until I start getting pain followed by having to go to the bathroom. Tonight 12:30 am, I was awakened and had to go .... I had not had anything to eat since 2pm yesterday afternoon with the exception of 2 LifeSavers.... do I ride this out or make an appointment?

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $10

Answer
September 21, 2006 3:08 a.m. (5 minutes and 9 seconds later)

REPLIED

I would see your doctor since this has been going on for so long. You may need prescription medication to help control your bowel movements. This is likely a viral illness but you should see your doctor just in case. Just the diarrhea alone will be enough to make you severely dehydrated. You may need IV therapy also. If this answer helps please hit the accept button. Thank you.

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Reply to James
Sent September 21, 2006 3:12 a.m. (4 minutes and 34 seconds later)

I'm not going 20 times a day or anything - maybe 5...6 times a day and I do get hungry ... the fact that this woke me up when I hadn't had anything to eat in almost 12 hours worries me ....please comment again thanks-

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on September 21 2006 at 3:19am

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
September 21, 2006 3:22 a.m. (9 minutes and 48 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

Generally loose stools aren't really diarrhea unless they happen more than 6 times a day. A viral illness usually goes away in 2 days on it's own. Since you have had this problem for 4 days already, it's time to see a doctor. You could try an over the counter trial of Immodium but I really think you should see a doctor first just in case.

__________________
Quote: You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...." Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C

If you find my answer helpful please honor my efforts and click the Green Accept button.

CorpsmanUp -- Former U.S.Navy, Hospital Corpsman -- 100% Positive Feedback on 908 Health Accepts
Over 4 years of providing direct, clinical medical care.

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