On and Off Diarrhea HELP!!!

I am a 21 year old, healthy, 140lb male and I have had recent problems with diarrhea.

The diarrhea came around about 5 days ago, waking me up one morning with a cramping feeling in my stomach. The diarrhea lasted all day the first day, seemingly brought on after meals. The next day, the diarrhea was gone, and it remained gone until day 3, when the diarrhea returned once again in the morning and lasting all day. Day 4 the diarrhea was gone again, day 5 (today) the diarrhea has returned. The stool is watery and loose, there is no blood present in the stool. Bits of un-digested food is visible. I had a mild cold just a day or two before the diarrhea had started. Other than the diarrhea I feel fine, no nausea, vomiting, dizziness or anything else.

I have recently moved to Ottawa, ON from Kelowna, BC. I drove the entire way here and made numerous over-night stops in 4 different cities across Canada. These problems came around about 4-5 days after I arrived. I am wondering if the diarrhea could have been caused from the anxiety of the trip out here? Or if the change in elevation could have brought it on? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[JDavid]

Sounds like your problem could be almost anything....food, virus, anxiety, etc.  I would try to treat with "over the counter" medications (ask local pharmacist what he recommends)for diarrhea.  If that doesn't help, I think I would see a doctor; if nothing else, there are good prescription drugs to stop it.  In the meantime, be sure and drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.  Good luck.

[Concerned lady]

I agree with JDavid's good advice.

I also wonder if you might have eaten some "bad" food (or, had some contaminated water) on your trip, and got a touch of food poisoning. Check with your doc.

If it's due to something you ate on the trip, you could try taking some edible activated charcoal (if doctor says OK), and then, a few hours later, take some probiotics (edible, beneficial bacteria) such as Acidophilus, &/or Bifidus. Health food stores sell these.

Make sure that your new water supply is not contaminated by bad organisms, &/or, by an overdose of water treatment chemicals.

Avoid all artificial additives, in foods & beverages, which often can upset the stomach. Nutrasweet (Equal/Aspartame) causes stomach upset in many people. So does MSG (mono-sodium glutamate, a flavor "enhancer").

Try going on a gluten-free diet, in case you might have developed a gluten intolerance from that "mild cold". To avoid gluten, avoid wheat, rye, oats, barley & buckwheat. Brown rice is gluten-free. Celiac Disease is one type of gluten intolerance.

Also, when people move, they often react to the difference in drinking water (on the trip, and in your new location).

See a doctor, soon, in case something else is going on, that needs to be treated. Hang in there!

Sincerely, Concerned lady
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