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WHAT ARE CAUSES OF PROLONGED DIARRHEA?
Experts say that diarrhea, which is often ignored, can be a sign of important diseases if it does not improve within a few days. In particular, people with a family history of cancer should definitely consult a specialist Gastroenterologist. Turkey Medicals member and hospital Assoc. Doctor, he drew attention to 10 important diseases that cause prolonged diarrhea.
In particular, conditions that last more than four weeks and have three or more soft and shapeless stools per day are called ‘chronic diarrhea’, said Antalya JCI Hospital Gastroenterologist Assoc. Dr. said that this condition can indicate serious diseases such as colon cancer.
“The time of onset of diarrhea, recently used medications, operations performed, travel history, family history of cancer should be reported. Especially if there is a family history of bowel cancer with diarrhea that wakes you up from sleep at night, involuntary weight loss, anemia, bloody or slimy diarrhea, the doctor should be contacted in no time,” Assoc. Dr. explained the 10 reasons leading to prolonged diarrhea and gave important warnings and suggestions.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A condition in which there is no structural problem in the intestine and is characterized as a functional disorder, accompanied by complaints of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and / or constipation, which disrupts the quality of life. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is suggested that it is associated with an increase in the sensitivity of internal organs and excessive contraction, a deterioration in the brain intestinal relationship, hormonal, environmental and psychosocial disorders. The disease can also sometimes occur after an intestinal infection.
Infections
A parasitic, viral or bacterial infection specific to this region can be the cause of diarrhea in people living in tropical regions and developing countries or traveling to these regions. A history of travel should definitely be reported to the doctor, diarrhea medications should not be taken without contacting the doctor.
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two important diseases that are on the roof of inflammatory bowel diseases. In ulcerative colitis, bloody diarrhea, and in Crohn’s disease, abdominal pain and diarrhea are at the forefront. In addition to intestinal complaints such as weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, bloating, low back pain, joint pain, eye and skin signs can also be seen. The diagnosis is made by endoscopic examinations. Because inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic diseases, they require lifelong follow-up and treatment, and they pose a risk of digestive tract cancer, early diagnosis is very important.
Endocrine diseases
Prolonged diarrhea can also be a harbinger of a systemic disease, except in cases involving the intestine.Hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid gland is overworked, some thyroid cancers, or diabetes mellitus, which also causes damage to the nerves of the intestine, can lead to diarrhea.
Medications
Gastroenterology Specialist Assoc. Dr. ”Diarrhea may occur depending on the side effect of prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and the content of products marketed as weight loss medications. When contacting a doctor, it is necessary to inform him of a complete list of medications and Decongestants used, the timing of the onset of medications and the onset of the complaint. Drug-induced diarrhea resolves after discontinuation of the drug,” the study says.
Chronic Pancreatitis
The pancreas is an important internal and external secretory gland of the body, providing digestive enzymes and insulin secretion. Insufficiency of pancreatic enzymes can cause diarrhea due to reduced digestion and absorption from the small intestine. Abdominal pain, weight loss and fatty diarrhea can be observed in chronic pancreatitis, in which permanent dysfunction and structural damage to the pancreas occur due to frequent and high alcohol consumption and many other causes. Some pancreatic tumors may also complain of diarrhea.
After surgery
Diarrhea can be observed after operations on the stomach, gall bladder, small intestine and large intestine. If you have a recent history of surgery, you should consult your doctor if this condition is related to surgery.
Lactose intolerance
The absorption of the sugar lactose from milk and dairy products due to lactose intolerance or insufficient function of the enzyme lactase, which Miss diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Although it is not a dangerous condition, it does affect a person’s quality of life. The diagnosis is usually made by determining the relationship of complaints with milk and dairy products and correcting the symptoms when they are removed from the diet.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is also a factor that causes diarrhea by creating an absorption disorder as a result of damage to the small intestine with gluten-containing foods such as wheat, barley, rye and oats. In addition to diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas-bloating, inability to gain weight, iron deficiency and vitamin deficiencies can be observed.Currently, many people are cutting off gluten from their diet due to complaints of gas and bloating or with hearsay information aimed at losing weight, but this should definitely not be done without consulting a Turkish doctor, as this makes it difficult to diagnose people with celiac disease.
Colon cancer
Antalya Gastroenterology Specialist Associate Doctor “Prolonged or recurrent diarrhea can be a harbinger of colon cancer. Abdominal pain, changes in defecation habits, bloody and slimy stools, infrequent defecation, and subsequent diarrhea may be due to a tumor that has grown in the intestine and caused mild obstruction,” he says.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.