PERSISTENT LOOSE STOOLS FOR MORE THAN 4 WEEKS
Chronic Diarrhea
Persistent loose or watery stools for more than 4 weeks, with many possible causes including infections, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption and others. Careful workup guides targeted treatment.
ABOUT THIS CONDITION
What is Chronic Diarrhea
Chronic diarrhoea is defined as persistent loose or watery stools for more than four weeks. It is distinct from acute diarrhoea, which usually settles within a week and is most often due to infection. Causes of chronic diarrhoea include irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis, food intolerances such as lactose or gluten intolerance, malabsorption conditions, chronic infections (including parasitic), bile acid malabsorption, certain medications, thyroid disorders and, less commonly, gut tumours. Typical features include frequent loose or watery stools, urgency, abdominal cramping, bloating, weight loss and tiredness. Persistent symptoms can significantly affect quality of life, sleep and work. A careful clinical evaluation along with targeted blood, stool and endoscopic investigations helps identify the underlying cause. Treatment is highly cause-specific. Dr. Patnam Pravallika Reddy provides comprehensive chronic diarrhoea workup and care at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad.
SIGNS TO WATCH
Common Symptoms
Symptoms that need attention
WHY IT HAPPENS
Causes & Risk Factors
- Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea
- Inflammatory bowel disease — Crohn's and ulcerative colitis
- Food intolerances — lactose, gluten, others
- Malabsorption conditions
- Chronic infections, including parasitic
- Bile acid malabsorption
- Medications, thyroid disorders and, rarely, tumours
CLINICAL DETAILS
KeyFacts
Detailed history, examination, stool tests, blood tests, endoscopy and imaging as needed
Weight loss, bleeding, fever, nocturnal symptoms or family history of bowel cancer
Cause-specific therapy combined with hydration and supportive care
Manageable with dietary, lifestyle and gut-directed therapy
Hygiene, treating underlying conditions and managing diet appropriately
Available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
HOW WE TREAT IT
Treatment Approach
Systematic Workup with Cause-Specific Therapy
The most effective approach is a systematic workup including stool, blood, endoscopic and imaging tests to identify the underlying cause, followed by targeted cause-specific therapy. Hydration, dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes support recovery in all cases.
- 1
Consultation & Assessment
Dr. Pravallika takes a detailed history, examines the patient and arranges stool, blood, endoscopic and imaging tests as needed.
- 2
Treatment Planning
A personalised plan is created based on the identified or most likely cause and the patient's clinical condition.
- 3
Medical Management
Cause-specific therapy, hydration, dietary changes and treatment of nutritional deficiencies.
- 4
Recovery & Follow-up
Regular review to assess response, refine treatment and arrange specialist referral for persistent or complex cases.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Treatment Options
Cause-Specific Therapy
Treatment is directed at the underlying cause — anti-inflammatory therapy for IBD, gut-directed therapy for IBS, dietary elimination for intolerances, antiparasitic therapy for parasitic infections, and so on.
Hydration and Electrolyte Support
Adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement is essential to prevent dehydration and support recovery.
Dietary Modification
Dietary changes — including elimination of triggers, low-FODMAP approach, lactose- or gluten-free diet — significantly help certain causes.
Treatment of Nutritional Deficiencies
Iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D and other deficiencies are common in chronic diarrhoea and need addressing.
Specialist Referral When Needed (Referral for gastroenterology)
Patients with persistent symptoms, alarm features or suspected IBD, malabsorption or tumours need specialist evaluation including endoscopy.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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