Diarrhea – Its Causes, Why & When You Must Consult A Doctor
Going to the bathroom is part of our daily lives, but sometimes we all go through abnormal experiences. Diarrhea is one such issue, a common digestive problem. You may experience loose watery stools, abdominal cramping, and nausea.
Acute diarrhea is common in the United States, with nearly 180 million cases in a year.
It resolves on its own within a few days. If it does not, diarrhea can lead to electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. This is a reason why you must consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Diarrhea is classifies as three types
Acute diarrhea – It usually lasts for one or two days then goes away
Persistent diarrhea – This condition lasts for two to four weeks
Chronic diarrhea – Lasts for 4 weeks or more. This may be because of some underlying condition and warrants a visit to a medical professional
According to a doctor at one of the physicians’ offices in Washington DC, diarrhea can be due to several causes. These include ( but not limited to ),
- Infections
- Certain medications
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Certain dietary habits, like excess caffeine, lactose
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Certain surgeries
Here are a few good reasons why you must not ignore diarrhea
- It can cause fluid loss leading to dehydration
- You may suffer electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are vital to maintain your body’s PH levels.
- Children, very old people and those with certain underlying illnesses can experience cardiovascular system failure.
If you or any of your loved ones suffer from diarrhea, it makes sense to visit the nearest urgent care clinic.
At urgent care clinics, you can just walk in without an appointment and be seen in less than 30 minutes. A positive aspect of these clinic is they are open 7 days a week including holidays.
A doctor at one of the physician offices Arlington VA says, “ Whenever a patient comes to me with complaints of diarrhea, I try to determine the cause. It can be related to digestion, an inflammatory condition or an infection”.
Over the counter medication for diarrhea exists, but these must be consumed sparingly or with caution.
“ My first line of treatment for severe diarrhea is to instruct the patient to immediately start taking oral rehydration solution. These solutions maintain hydration and stop diarrhea”.
If you suffer from frequent diarrhea, speaking with your doctor is an important step to get tested and rule out serious conditions.
“ You must not compromise on heaving a healthy gut”, says a doctor at one of the physicians’ offices in Washington DC. “ A healthy git means a strong immune system, effective digestion and better mental well-being”.
Urgent care clinics were growing in popularity long before the pandemic. The popularity is all set to grow further. It offers outpatient care for non-critical illnesses and emergencies.
Moreover, urgent care facilities occupy an important role as an intermediate care facility between primary care physicians and hospitals.
For a quick consultation and diagnosis, an urgent care facility has proved to be a boon. You can get back to work as soon as possible if your condition is diagnosed as easily treatable.
Xpress Care Urgent Care clinic located in Pentagon City provides urgent and comprehensive health care without needing an appointment. This clinic is open on all days of the week including weekdays and holidays.