5 Reasons to Seek Expert Care for Chronic Diarrhea

Everyone experiences bouts of diarrhea at least a couple of times in their lives, so it’s no wonder most people are inclined to ignore the issue or treat it with over-the-counter medications. However, while diarrhea is often a mostly harmless symptom when it persists, it can increase the risk of lasting damage to your digestive system. Sometimes, it may even be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires urgent care.

Our experts at Carolina Digestive Health Associates understand why you might choose to ignore diarrhea or treat it at home, but they want to share five reasons why expert care is essential if your diarrhea lasts more than a week and what you can do to ensure your well-being.

1. Get a diagnosis

When diarrhea is persistent, it could be a sign of an underlying problem in your digestive system that, if left unresolved, will keep you running to the bathroom. The most common causes of diarrhea include:

• Infections (viral, bacterial, and parasitic)
• Food intolerances and allergies
• Food poisoning
• Medications (metformin, antibiotics, some drugs used for cancer)
• Digestive disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease)
• Endocrine diseases (diabetes and hypothyroidism)
• Stress and anxiety

To determine the cause of your symptoms, our providers may order stool or blood tests.

2. Treat the underlying issue, not just the symptoms

Diarrhea is a defense mechanism. When you only manage the symptoms, you may prevent your body from fighting what’s causing harm. Your body increases the rate of bowel movements to expel viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, and irritants.

3. Get an individualized treatment plan

Under the guidance of a medical provider who has determined the cause of your symptoms, you’ll receive a treatment plan tailored to your needs. For some, the treatment plan may involve avoiding certain foods that trigger an autoimmune response; for others, it may include medications. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for chronic diarrhea, as many possible causes exist.

4. Prevent complications

While diarrhea is a defense mechanism, like many such mechanisms, it can sometimes cause more harm than good when your body becomes overly reliant on it.

With diarrhea, you can become severely dehydrated or suffer from electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to serious issues, including heart problems.

5. Improve your well-being in the long term

Chronic diarrhea is a sign your body is struggling. It could be a reaction to foods or medications, an underlying condition, or a virus. Seeking medical care will help you get to the root of the problem and eliminate much of the stress that comes with managing a chronic condition.

When you should seek expert care for your diarrhea

Aside from the duration of symptoms, diarrhea can also indicate something more serious if bloody or black stools, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or a high fever accompany it.

Our experts understand that seeking help can sometimes feel daunting, but they want you to know that the sooner you seek help, the closer you are to feeling like yourself again. Contact us to schedule an appointment to resolve your symptoms as soon as possible. 

Digestive issues are often easy to resolve and manage, even when the symptoms are quite uncomfortable.