Do you have a question about digestive health? Clinical Corner provides answers from digestive health professionals to frequently asked questions.
If you or a family member is struggling with chronic or recurring gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, you probably know how challenging it can be to find reliable treatment information. Clinical Corner provides answers from digestive health professionals to frequently asked questions.
WATCH NOW: 5 Minutes in GI
We understand that time is precious and it can be challenging to find the information you need quickly. That’s why we have created a new series called “5 Minutes in GI“. In this series, healthcare providers answer the most frequently asked questions about gastrointestinal disorders in under 5 minutes.
5 Minutes in GI
- Question
- I will soon be traveling to several countries where finding safe drinking water will be a challenge. In the event I eat or drink something that would cause traveler’s diarrhea would it be wise to preventatively start taking a probiotic? Is it alright to take loperamide at the same time as taking a probiotic?
- Answer
- There is some evidence that taking a probiotic can help prevent travelers’ diarrhea although probiotics are notoriously variable in terms of their activity, with some being more effective than others with respect to this indication. I see no reason why you shouldn’t take loperamide with a probiotic should the need arise. Perhaps I should point out that diarrhea in gastroenteritis does serve a purpose of clearing out the germs that are causing the problem and, therefore, taking loperamide can sometimes delay recovery. I usually advise patients to take one of the glucose and electrolyte powders when they get travelers’ diarrhea and just use the loperamide for emergencies, traveling, and to get home.
– Peter Whorwell, MD
Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology
University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom
Find more Questions and their Answers
Q: Why do FODMAP lists sometimes differ?
- A: With new information continuously being published, charts and tables can quickly become out of date… Read More
Q: Can probiotics be used to prevent traveler’s diarrhea?
- A: Probiotics are notoriously variable in terms of their activity… Read More
Q: Do nuts and seeds cause diverticulitis in people with diverticulosis?
- A: The issues presented by the reader… Read More
Q: Does pancreatitis cause functional abdominal pain and IBS?
- A: It’s complicated… Read More
Q: Is loperamide safe for long-term use?
- A: Alternating diarrhea and constipation is always a difficult problem to deal with in patients with IBS… Read More
Q: Is there diet advice for Barrett’s Esophagus and GERD?
- A: It is interesting that there are very few rigorously performed scientific studies that demonstrate which foods worsen GERD… Read More
Q: Is an endoscopy recommended for GERD? If so, how often?
- A: It is important for someone with chronic heartburn symptoms to have an endoscopy… Read More
Q: Is it common for IBS symptoms to return after a person has been symptom-free for over a year?
- A: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is best thought of as a life-long disorder, just like migraine or asthma… Read More
Q: How much of a concern is enterocolitis after treatment for Hirschsprung’s disease?
A: Enterocolitis is a clinical diagnosis… Read More
Q: What can be done about diarrhea and incontinence caused by a prescribed medication?
- A: This may be one of those medical dilemmas that do not have a fully satisfactory solution… Read More
Q: Is nausea a symptom of IBS? If so, how is it treated?
- A: Nausea is a common symptom reported by patients with IBS… Read More
Q: Can having a colonoscopy cause a change in bowel habit?
There is no straight-forward answer to this question… Read More
Q: Rice-based foods for IBS diet?
I’ve read that rice, including rice milk and rice flour, is beneficial to people with digestive disorders like IBS because it is easier to digest. As an IBS sufferer, would my symptoms improve if I replaced some of the foods in my diet with rice-based alternatives?
- A: If you have IBS, you may find that certain foods tend to be more bothersome than others… Read More
Q: How long can a person go without having a bowel movement before seeking medical attention?
Could this ever warrant a trip to the emergency room?
- A: Constipation is a symptom, not a disease… Read More
Q: Can a person have ‘constipated diarrhea’?
- A: Pain and discomfort related to altered bowel habits are the hallmarks of IBS… Read More
Q: How can I determine if I received a thorough colonoscopy?
- A: Your concern about receiving an adequate exam that will provide you reassurance for the next decade is justified… Read More
Q: Is constipation and bloating related to menstrual periods?
- A: Many healthy women experience some change of bowel function at the time of their periods… Read More
Q: Do proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increase the risk of hip fracture?
- A: Many patients were alarmed recently by news reports of a 44% increase in the risk of a hip fracture if they are taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)… Read More
Q: Can intense exercise lead to GI symptoms?
- A: The well-documented beneficial effects that result from keeping up a regular exercise program include better sleep habits, stronger bones, fewer heart problems, and tighter glucose control in diabetes… Read More
Q: Why do some antibiotics cause diarrhea and is this a cause for concern?
- A: Antibiotic therapy is a common source of diarrhea in both hospitalized patients and outpatients… Read More
