Understanding the Causes of Chronic Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea, loose or watery stools lasting more than four weeks, can be disruptive, uncomfortable, and concerning. Unlike occasional digestive upset, chronic diarrhea often points to an underlying health issue that requires professional evaluation. At South Island Gastroenterology Associates in Lawrence, NY, Dr. Steven Kadish and Dr. Jonathan Zinberg provide expert care to help patients uncover the root cause and find lasting relief.

What Is Chronic Diarrhea?

Chronic diarrhea involves frequent, watery bowel movements that persist over time. It may be accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, fatigue, or unintended weight loss. Identifying the cause is key to choosing the most effective treatment approach.

Possible Causes of Chronic Diarrhea

Several causes may result in chronic diarrhea, varying from mild to severe.

The most common cause is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS-D is an illness with chronic loose stools, abdominal cramping, bloating, and urgency brought on by stress or food.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis result in ongoing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. These autoimmune diseases typically result in diarrhea, stomach pain, blood in the stool, and weight loss.

Food intolerances can also be to blame. For example, individuals with lactose intolerance can't digest the lactose found in milk, while celiac disease patients develop an immune response to gluten. Both conditions can result in long-term gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea.

Chronic infections such as C. difficile, Giardia, or viral pathogens can also be ongoing and disrupt digestion, especially after recent antibiotic use or travel.

Medications are also to blame. Antibiotics, metformin, laxatives, and certain chemotherapy drugs are known to induce diarrhea as a side effect.

Other causes are malabsorptive diseases like pancreatic insufficiency or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), endocrinopathies like hyperthyroidism, and even gastrointestinal cancer or cancer treatment side effects.

When to See a Gastroenterologist

If you’ve had ongoing diarrhea for more than four weeks, it’s time to consult a specialist. Additional signs that warrant medical attention include blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, dehydration symptoms, or a personal or family history of gastrointestinal disorders.

At South Island Gastroenterology Associates, our team conducts a thorough evaluation, starting with your medical history and a physical exam. Diagnostic tests may include blood work, stool analysis, imaging studies, and endoscopic procedures like colonoscopy or upper endoscopy to assess the digestive tract in detail.

Finding the Right Treatment

Once the cause is identified, treatment is customized to meet your needs. This may involve dietary adjustments, such as eliminating trigger foods or following a low-FODMAP diet, along with medications like antidiarrheals, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, or enzyme supplements. Probiotics and lifestyle changes like stress reduction and hydration support long-term digestive health.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Chronic diarrhea isn’t something you have to live with. At South Island Gastroenterology Associates in Lawrence, NY, Dr. Steven Kadish and Dr. Jonathan Zinberg offer compassionate, expert care to help you feel better and regain control of your health. Call (516) 341-0990 today to schedule an appointment and begin your path to relief.