At Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic, located in Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR), we specialize in diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic diarrhea. Diarrhea can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition, often leading to dehydration, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. Whether it’s a short-term issue due to an infection or a long-term condition related to other underlying health problems, our experienced general practitioners (GPs) are here to provide effective treatment and management to help you recover quickly and prevent complications.
Welcome to Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic – Expert Care for Diarrhea (Acute and Chronic) in JBR
What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea refers to the condition where an individual experiences frequent, loose, or watery stools. It can be classified into two main types:
- Acute diarrhea: This type lasts for a short period (usually less than 2 weeks) and is often caused by infections, food poisoning, or other temporary factors.
- Chronic diarrhea: This type persists for more than 4 weeks and can be caused by chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or malabsorption disorders.
Diarrhea can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Loose or watery stools
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Urgency to have a bowel movement
- Fever (in some cases)
- Dehydration (especially with acute diarrhea)
Causes of Acute Diarrhea
Acute diarrhea typically lasts a few days and is often caused by:
- Viral infections: Such as norovirus, rotavirus, or adenovirus.
- Bacterial infections: Such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Campylobacter.
- Food poisoning: Caused by consuming contaminated food or water.
- Antibiotics: Certain antibiotics can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the intestines, leading to diarrhea.
- Parasites: Parasites such as Giardia or Entamoeba histolytica can cause diarrhea, particularly when traveling abroad.
Causes of Chronic Diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea can be caused by a variety of underlying health conditions, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Celiac disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing chronic diarrhea.
- Malabsorption syndromes: Conditions where the body cannot absorb nutrients properly, leading to diarrhea. Examples include lactose intolerance and pancreatic insufficiency.
- Chronic infections: Certain infections, like Clostridium difficile (C. diff), can persist and cause chronic diarrhea.
- Medications: Some medications, especially antibiotics or laxatives, can lead to persistent diarrhea.
Symptoms of Diarrhea
Depending on whether the diarrhea is acute or chronic, symptoms can vary. Common symptoms of both include:
- Frequent loose stools
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever (especially with infections)
- Dehydration: Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, dizziness, excessive thirst, and reduced urination.
For chronic diarrhea, you may experience ongoing symptoms that last for weeks or even months, often associated with an underlying medical condition.
Diagnostic Services for Diarrhea
At Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic, we offer comprehensive diagnostic services to determine the cause of your diarrhea, whether it is acute or chronic. Our diagnostic services include:
- Stool tests: To identify bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.
- Blood tests: To check for signs of infection, inflammation, or nutritional deficiencies.
- Imaging tests: To rule out other conditions like gallstones or pancreatic issues.
- Hydration and electrolyte levels: We will monitor and treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, particularly in severe cases.
Treatment for Acute and Chronic Diarrhea
The treatment for diarrhea depends on its underlying cause. At Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic, we offer personalized treatment plans to help manage and resolve both acute and chronic diarrhea.
Treatment for Acute Diarrhea
For acute diarrhea, treatment may include:
- Rehydration therapy: Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or intravenous fluids (IV) to prevent dehydration.
- Antidiarrheal medications: Medications like loperamide (Imodium) may help control symptoms, but these are typically avoided in cases caused by infections, as they may prolong the illness.
- Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is diagnosed, antibiotics may be prescribed.
- Antiemetic medications: To control nausea and vomiting, we may prescribe medications such as ondansetron.
- Dietary changes: During the recovery period, we recommend a bland diet (e.g., the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) and avoiding dairy, fatty foods, or spicy foods.
Treatment for Chronic Diarrhea
For chronic diarrhea, treatment may include:
- Management of underlying conditions: If the diarrhea is caused by IBS, IBD, or celiac disease, we provide medications and lifestyle changes to control symptoms.
- Probiotics: To restore healthy gut bacteria, especially after antibiotic treatment or in cases of IBS.
- Dietary changes: We provide personalized dietary advice, including gluten-free or low- FODMAP diets for those with celiac disease or IBS.
- Medications: Depending on the cause, medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, immune- suppressors, or immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed to manage chronic
conditions.
Why Choose Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic for Diarrhea Treatment?
- Expert care: Our experienced doctors are skilled in diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic diarrhea and its underlying causes.
- Comprehensive diagnostic services to accurately identify the cause of your diarrhea.
- Personalized treatment plans to address your symptoms and improve your digestive health.
- Hydration support: We ensure that you stay hydrated and receive the necessary electrolytes to recover from diarrhea.
- Conveniently located in JBR, providing easy access to world-class healthcare.