[64F] Experiencing severe urgency and abdominal pain with diarrhea

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Bile Acid Diarrhea: This condition can occur in people who have had their gallbladder removed. Bile acid is a substance produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps with digestion. When the gallbladder is removed, bile is less concentrated and rushes into the colon, leading to diarrhea, often soon after a meal.

  • Treatment typically involves medication to bind the bile acids in the intestines and prevent them from causing diarrhea.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term.

  • Treatment of IBS typically involves long-term strategies, such as diet changes and stress management.

• Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is particularly common and highly infectious. Gastroenteritis can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.

  • Treatment typically involves rehydration and symptom management.

Please note that these are possibilities based on the information you've provided and not a definitive diagnosis.

What you can do

1. Consult a healthcare professional: They can provide a formal assessment and order relevant tests if necessary.

2. Stay Hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

3. Diet Modification: Try to identify any foods that may be triggering your symptoms and avoid them.

4. Over-the-counter medication: Anti-diarrheal medications may help with your symptoms, but should be used with caution and only after consulting with a healthcare professional.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Notice blood in your stool
• Have severe abdominal pain
• Develop a fever (temperature over 100.4°F)
• Notice signs of dehydration, such as dark urine, dry mouth, or feeling lightheaded when standing up.

Remember, while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.