Find out what might be behind this one unpleasant gastrointestinal symptom.

Sure, it can be an embarrassing subject to talk about but if you can’t talk about it with one of our Suffolk County, NY gastroenterologists, then with whom? Diarrhea is an all-too-common issue that affects everyone at some point. Find out what might be to blame for your uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues.

Causes of diarrhea include:

• Gastroenteritis (often referred to as the stomach flu)
• Food poisoning
• Food allergies
• Giardiasis
• Lactose intolerance
• Ulcerative colitis
• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance)
• Crohn’s disease
• Colorectal polyps
• Amebiasis (a parasitic infection contracted in tropical areas of the world)
• Diverticulitis
• Diabetic neuropathy
• PMS
• Appendicitis (considered a medical emergency; medical attention must be sought right away)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• A side effect of medication

And the list of causes could go on and on. So suffice it to say there are a lot of health problems that could lead to diarrhea. While some are more common and less serious causes, there are some conditions that are serious and will require medical attention. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell if visiting your Suffolk County GI doctor is necessary, but it's best to take precautions and come in if:

• Diarrhea lasts for a few days
• There is blood in the stool
• You experience severe stomach pains
• You have a fever of 102 degrees or higher
• You develop signs of dehydration (e.g. decreased urination; dry mouth)

If you aren’t experiencing any of these symptoms and want to do the wait-and-see approach then here are some simple at-home ways to treat your diarrhea,

• Take frequent small drinks of water to stay hydrated
• Start out by eating only mild foods for the next few days
• Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and spicy food for a couple of days or, better yet, until symptoms go away
• Stay away from milk for a couple of days even after symptoms go away
• You can also pick up a nonprescription antidiarrheal medication if you’ve been dealing with diarrhea for more than 6 hours. If you have blood in your stool or a high fever you do not want to take these medications. You’ll want to seek professional medical attention as soon as possible.

If you are ever concerned about changes in your gastrointestinal health, never hesitate to turn to Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates in Suffolk County, NY for the care you need. It’s always better to play it safe when it comes to your health.