Stomach disorder

  I seem to be suffering from severe stomach cramping, followed by severe diarrreah. This problem seems to be getting worse. When first noticed several years ago it only happened once every several months. Last year it was maybe once a month, but lately it has become once or twice a week. I used to dismiss it as a belly ache, but it is becoming very frequent. Diet seems to have nothing to do with it. No alcohol. It used to only occur at night, but now it comes and goes with alarming frequency. Sweating, cramps which only subsides after a furious bout of diahrreah.
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Dear Joe,
The increasing frequency of abdominal cramps and diarrhea can suggest an intestinal disorder.  Usually, symptoms are related to diet.  Increased fiber ingestion (e.g. eating salads or grains) or increased intake of nonabsorbable sugars ( for example in milk [lactose intolerance] or as seen with drinking regular or sugar free sodas) are the most frequent causes of symptoms.  I think that you should see your physician for further investigation.  He will ask you questions regarding weight loss, change in appetite,  characteristivs of the stool (size, shape, consistency, presence of mucous or blood), foreign travel, exposure to 0others qwith similar problems, recent medications and whther there is a family history of similar problems.  
Physical examination may provide some clues as to possible causes of your problem.  Depending on the answers that you provide, you may require stool cultures, endoscopic studies or X-rays of your gastrointestinal tract.
Best of luck.
This response is offered for your general information and should not replace the conclusions drawn from a careful and complete evaluation by a physician.
We would be happy to meet you personally in order to better characterize the cause of your symptoms and to provide reassurance. If you wish to be seen by a gastroenterologist of the Henry Ford Health System, please call [phone] and request consultation with Dr. Fogel. one of our experts in the treatment of diarrheal illness.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: diarrhea
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