Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a condition where stools or bowel movements are loose and watery, which may result in a frequent need to have a bowel movement. Diarrhoea can range from a mild, temporary condition to being potentially life-threatening. In most cases, diarrhoea is caused by a gastrointestinal tract toxin or infection due to bacteria or viruses. It can also be caused by the digestive organs not functioning properly. Some other causes include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Microscopic colitis, a type of colitis that requires histology to diagnose.
• Impaired nutrient absorption and impaired digestive function.
• Laxatives and other drugs, such as antibiotics which can trigger diarrhoea.
• Psychological stress and anxiety

Together with the diarrhoea, you may experience abdominal pain, bloating, bloody stools and a frequent urge to pass stool. You may also experience nausea, fever and dehydration. These symptoms may become so severe that the situation becomes life-threatening; therefore, it is important to consult your doctor and if persistent visit Dr John Wright for diagnosis and medication.

As an experienced gastroenterologist in Cape Town, Dr Wright will take a detailed history while considering your medical history, in order to determine the cause of the diarrhoea. He may conduct additional tests, including blood and stool samples. Sometimes an examination of the lining of the bowel is needed with sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. This becomes particularly important if you have chronic diarrhoea.

Patients with very severe diarrhoea may require urgent replacing of lost fluids and are best treated at a hospital Emergency Unit.