Diarrhea North Carolina

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If you have persistent, severe diarrhea, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates to find a North Carolina doctor near you. Nearly everyone experiences diarrhea. However, the symptom can indicate undetected health conditions, and untreated diarrhea can lead to severe complications. How is someone supposed to tell the difference?

What Is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea refers to bowel movements that are loose and watery, and occur more than three times per day. Sometimes, stool comes out loose and watery, but this does not necessarily mean that the patient has a health problem. Acute diarrhea lasts for a short time, usually one or two days, and goes away on its own.

More severe cases can last for more than a few days. In addition, chronic diarrhea can be a sign of an underlying health condition. If symptoms last for at least four weeks, the person may have chronic diarrhea. This condition can lead to constant diarrhea.

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Many factors can lead to diarrhea, including various diseases and medical conditions. Common causes of diarrhea in North Carolina residents include:

• Bacteria and parasites. Food poisoning is a common cause of diarrhea. Bacteria in food or water can lead to parasites in the body, causing diarrhea.

• Viruses. Certain conditions caused by viruses can also exacerbate diarrhea, such as viral hepatitis and the Norwalk virus.

• Lactose intolerance. If a person’s body cannot process lactose found in dairy products, digestion issues can occur.

• Surgery. Some side effects of certain surgeries in the abdomen can lead to diarrhea, such as gallbladder removal surgery.

• Medications. Additional side effects from medications can lead to diarrhea, such as antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids.

Underlying chronic diseases can cause persistent diarrhea for those in North Carolina. These conditions include Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis.

How Do Doctors Treat Diarrhea?

Diarrhea deprives the body of necessary fluids, which can lead to dehydration if left untreated. North Carolina doctors replace lost fluids and electrolytes when treating diarrhea and may require patients to consume the following fluids and foods:

• Water
• Sports drinks
• Caffeine-free sodas
• Salty broths
• Fruit juices
• Soft, bland foods after fluid intake

Washing hands regularly, using hand sanitizer, and receiving appropriate vaccinations can combat the viruses that lead to diarrhea development.

Many people develop diarrhea while traveling to countries where sanitation standards are not as high as in the United States. North Carolina medical professionals recommend that people engage in the following behaviors while traveling:

• Avoid eating raw or uncooked foods
• Avoid drinking tap water and consuming ice cubes
• Boil tap water before consuming
• Avoid unwashed, unpeeled, and raw fruits and vegetables, unless the person can peel the produce themselves

When Should You Be Worried About Diarrhea?

Certain symptoms are very common with diarrhea and do not usually indicate an emergency, such as:

• Uncontrollable bowels
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Strong urges to use the bathroom

However, certain symptoms indicate an underlying condition or a medical emergency if left untreated. If a North Carolina patient experiences any of the following conditions, he or she should seek medical attention immediately:

• A fever of 102 degrees or higher
• Black, tarry stools
• Blood or pus in the stools
• Dehydration symptoms
• Adult diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum

Common Diarrhea Complications

The most common and dangerous complication of diarrhea is dehydration, especially for older adults and people with weak immune systems. If a North Carolina resident experiences any of the following symptoms of dehydration, he or she should seek medical attention immediately:

• Little to no urination
• Excessive thirst
• Dark urine
• Weakness and dizziness
• Severe fatigue
• Dry mouth or skin

Contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates Today

If you are experiencing dehydration or any other concerning symptoms associated with diarrhea, in North Carolina you should seek medical attention immediately. If you have persistent or constant diarrhea that lasts for more than two days at a time, you should also visit a doctor. Contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates by calling (704) 486-5194 today to find a North Carolina medical professional near you.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 486-5194 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.