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Free Medical Advice sponsored by
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Got an ache or pain? Have a question about a prescription or over-the-counter drug? Looking for some FREE medical advice?
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Question:
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| For the last three weeks I have been having a stomach challenge. After I eat, usually about an hour, sometimes later, I get cramps in my lower abdominal area and then must find a bathroom and everything comes out. About 1 week after it started one of my staff members said it sounded like giardea and I took flagyl for five days and it was pretty good for a couple of days. Then it started again last thursday. It is more bothersome than painful. What would you suggest?
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Answer:
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| Thanks for your question. Abdominal cramps and diarrhoea are common and frequently due to infection, although non-infectious causes also occur and should not be forgotten. Many infections are self-limiting and pass within a week or so. There is often a period of time following this when the normal bowel flora restores itself. During this time, there may be some disturbance of normal bowel function. Other infections do not settle without specific treatment and antibiotics need to be taken. Your problem may well have been due to giardia. Residual symptoms now may be due to a disturbance of the normal bowel flora. However it would be sensible to check for persisting infection by analysing a sample of stool and for other causes of diarrhoea. You should therefore arrange a check with your doctor. Hope that helps.
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