Concerns About Prolonged Diarrhea
For over three weeks, I've experienced daily instances of diarrhea without accompanying pain or feelings of nausea. I am a 51-year-old man and underwent a colonoscopy in 2018, which revealed no polyps. My primary care physician has prescribed lomotil and cholestyramine to address the issue. What might be the underlying cause of this condition?
Answers (1)
2/17/2026, 9:00:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing diarrhea for over three weeks is understandably concerning, especially since it’s daily and without pain or nausea. While medications like Lomotil and cholestyramine are helpful, it’s important to explore possible underlying causes for such a prolonged issue.
Explanation:
Chronic diarrhea can stem from various factors, including:
- Dietary Influences: Certain foods, such as high-fat content, lactose, or gluten, can cause gastrointestinal upset, especially in sensitive individuals.
- Infections: Although typically accompanied by pain or nausea, some infections (bacterial or viral) can lead to prolonged symptoms.
- Malabsorption Syndromes: Conditions like celiac disease or pancreatic insufficiency affect nutrient absorption and can result in diarrhea.
- Medications: Some medications (including those you may be taking) can disrupt normal digestion.
- Functional Disorders: Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can lead to chronic diarrhea without other symptoms.
Next Steps:
- Maintain a Food Diary: Track what you eat and drink, noting any correlation with your diarrhea episodes. This can help identify potential food triggers.
- Stay Hydrated: Ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids to replace what you lose and prevent dehydration.
- Try Dietary Adjustments: Consider temporarily eliminating common irritants such as dairy, gluten, or high-fat foods to see if symptoms improve.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep note of your daily condition over the next week. If your diarrhea persists or worsens, or if you notice any new symptoms (fever, blood in stool, etc.), seek further medical evaluation.
- Adhere to Your Medications: Continue taking the medications as prescribed by your doctor and report back any effects.
Being proactive about these steps will help you manage your symptoms more effectively. If you need more guidance or have further questions, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Concerns About Bowel Movements During Pregnancy
I’m a 35-year-old woman, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. A year ago, I underwent surgery for appendicitis, and ever since, my bowel movements have not returned to what I would consider normal. I have an upcoming obstetric appointment in two weeks, but I am contemplating whether I should address my concerns sooner. Since my appendectomy, my bowel habits have drastically changed; I consistently experience loose and frequent stools, particularly in the mornings. This has significantly impacted my daily routine, preventing me from engaging in exercise until later in the day due to the unpredictability of needing to use the restroom. Currently, I am approximately 17 weeks into my pregnancy, and my bowel issues appear to have worsened. While many women experience constipation during this time, my situation is quite the opposite. I struggle to be away from a toilet for more than an hour without feeling an urgency, which nearly led to an embarrassing situation on a recent two-mile walk. My bowel movements range from loose to liquid nearly every day. Occasionally, I have noticed bright yellow traces when wiping, although the stool itself does not exhibit any yellow color. Additionally, I have encountered stools that resemble fatty or bile-like consistency in the toilet. Given these ongoing issues, I would appreciate guidance on whether I should seek medical attention before my scheduled appointment or if it's safe to wait. Thank you for your help.
Alternative MRI Options in NYC Besides Lenox Hill
Greetings! As mentioned in the title, I'm seeking an alternative location to obtain an MRI in New York City that does not involve Lenox Hill Radiology. I have been enduring significant pain throughout my body along with gastrointestinal, pelvic, and urinary issues, and my condition appears to be deteriorating. Thankfully, I recently consulted with a physician who acknowledges my concerns and has recommended an MRI. I currently have an appointment with LHR; however, I was informed that they would not proceed with the imaging unless I provide nearly $800 upfront. My insurance only allocates $40 for this procedure, and despite having met my deductible, they’re disregarding several claims from my doctor visits—an entirely different dilemma. My doctor suspects that I may have endometriosis and is inclined to start with scans that are minimally invasive or non-invasive. Over the past six months, I've undergone transvaginal and abdominal ultrasounds multiple times, and I've had several throughout the past two decades. Does anyone have suggestions for alternative facilities that perform MRIs within the NYC region? I am open to payment plans, but paying the full amount upfront is not feasible for me. Would visiting the emergency room be a viable option? Thank you to anyone who takes the time to respond. Over the past few years, my health has deteriorated significantly, impacting my overall quality of life. I've also experienced a loss of friendships with those who do not understand my situation, and I've spent an amount that exceeds my financial means on medical appointments and treatments.
Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen and Fatty Stools
Hello, I'm a 29-year-old male experiencing troubling digestive issues since October. Initially, I encountered intense symptoms resembling severe heartburn that persisted for several days at a time. Currently, I'm dealing with a continual burning sensation in my upper abdomen. For the past four to five years, I've endured painful episodes in the upper abdomen severe enough to warrant emergency room visits, as I was concerned about my heart. Once heart issues were excluded, I suspected a problem with my gallbladder. An ultrasound revealed that my gallbladder and pancreas appeared normal (though parts of the pancreas weren't clearly visible), but it did indicate the presence of mild fatty liver, which was surprising since I'm not overweight. Now, I experience consistent abdominal discomfort that isn't agonizing, but it becomes bothersome when I move my neck or twist my torso, and there are moments when the pain intensifies. Over the past few months, I have also faced issues with fatty stools and noticeable weight loss. After researching these symptoms online, I'm increasingly anxious about the possibility of having chronic pancreatitis or potentially something more severe, like pancreatic cancer. What steps should I take next?
Persistent Stomach Discomfort Following Meals
Hello everyone, I'm a 16-year-old male, standing at 183 cm and weighing 77 kg. I'm only dealing with atopic dermatitis and I'm not on any medication. For the past week, I've been experiencing severe stomach pain every time I eat, to the point where it feels as though my abdominal muscles are tensing up, though they aren't. This all started last Wednesday with an unexpected stomachache that escalated into a burning, acidic discomfort. Before I knew it, I was rushing to the bathroom feeling like I might throw up, but fortunately, that didn't happen. Now, for an entire week, I've faced this same issue. No matter what I eat, roughly an hour later, I feel an overwhelming wave of unease. While there have been a couple of days without this reaction, for the most part, the discomfort keeps returning. Just today at school, I had another episode. I visited the school nurse, who suggested it could be a stomach virus, which seems plausible, but I'm still skeptical. I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions to help me resolve this issue as soon as possible!
Post-Flu Digestive Discomfort
I’m a 28-year-old male, standing at 5’8" and weighing around 170 pounds, of Caucasian descent, and I’m not currently on any medication. After experiencing flu-like symptoms, which have now subsided, I've begun to notice a feeling of mild bloating along with intermittent diarrhea that has persisted for a couple of days. Is it common to encounter these digestive issues following an episode of the flu? I’m beginning to worry, although I suspect these symptoms might be somewhat typical as I recover. Should I be concerned about this lingering discomfort, or is it an expected outcome during flu recovery?