Diarrhea Center - Berwyn, IL
Berwyn Gastroenterologist Doctors for DiarrheaType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Berwyn * Manuel Alva MD  Drs Bernthal, Klygis, Lohmann & Andersen MD  Drs Bernthal, Klygis, Lohmann & Andersen MD  Allen J Rosenbaum MD  BHS Digestive Disease  BHS Digestive Disease  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Lake Shore Gastroenterology  Lake Shore Gastroenterology  Sinha Chunduri MD  Manuel C Iglesias MD  David N Butler MD & Nadira Ali Kahn MD SC  Midwest GI Associates  Paul Fahrenbach & Arun Ohri MDs  Midwest GI Associates  Midwest GI Associates  Victorino Yu MD  Garcia Medical Center  Garcia Medical Center  Garcia Medical Center  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  UIC Medical Center Digestive Disease  Arias Castillo Duarte & Heydarpour MDs  University of Illinois Chicago Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Hepatology  Rush University Gastroenterology  Rush University Hepatology  Digestive Disease Associates  Digestive Disease Associates  Midwest Center for Digestive Health  Southwest Gastroenterology  Southwest Gastroenterology  Midwest Center for Digestive Health  Southwest Gastroenterology  Midwest Center for Digestive Health  Southwest Gastroenterology  Midwest Center for Digestive Health  Midwest Center for Digestive Health  Southwest Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Group  Gastroenterology Group  Ashok Jilhewar MD  Gerard A Sublette MD & Christopher Boutin MD  Elmhurst Clinic Gastroenterology  Gerard A Sublette MD & Christopher Boutin MD  North Suburban Gastroenterology Assoc  North Suburban Gastroenterology Assoc  North Suburban Gastroenterology Assoc  Paul Fahrenbach & Arun Ohri MDs  Gastroenterology Services Ltd  Gastroenterology Services Ltd  Right Care Medical Center  Gastroenterology Services Ltd  GI Associates  GI Associates  GI Associates  GI Associates  Ghazanfam & Olivera Gastroenterology LTD  Ghazanfam & Olivera Gastroenterology LTD  Ghazanfam & Olivera Gastroenterology LTD  Elmhurst Clinic Gastroenterology  Elmhurst Clinic Gastroenterology  Southwest Medical Consultants  Southwest Medical Consultants  China Square Clinic  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  Fox Glen Gastroenterology  Anthony P Merza MD  Albert Saporta MD  Chicago Gastro  Dyer GI Clinics of Illinois  Eduardo Villa MD  Calvin Hall Jr. MD  Advocate Health Center Beverly  Stuart A Issleib MD  William Markey MD  Adolfo Maglaya MD  Ramamoorthy Sundaresan MD Berwyn, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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DiarrheaWhat is diarrhea?Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements or a decrease in the form of stool (greater looseness of stool). Although changes in frequency of bowel movements and looseness of stools can vary independently of each other, changes often occur in both. Diarrhea needs to be distinguished from four other conditions. Although these conditions may accompany diarrhea, they often have different causes and different treatments than diarrhea. These other conditions are:
How is diarrhea defined?Diarrhea can be defined in absolute or relative terms based on either the frequency of bowel movements or the consistency (looseness) of stools. Frequency of bowel movements. Absolute diarrhea is having more bowel movements than normal. Thus, since among healthy individuals the maximum number of daily bowel movements is approximately three, diarrhea can be defined as any number of stools greater than three. Relative diarrhea is having more bowel movements than usual. Thus, if an individual who usually has one bowel movement each day begins to have two bowel movements each day, then diarrhea is present-even though there are not more than three bowel movements a day, that is, there i... Recommended Reading Related to DiarrheaEnterovirulent E. Coli (EEC) » Enterovirulent E. coli (EEC) facts
Other Related Diarrhea ArticlesEmergency Contact for Berwyn
Nearby Berwyn Hospitals *MacNeal Hospital Hartgrove Hospital Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital John J Madden Mental Health Center Riveredge Hospital Loretto Hospital Loyola University Medical Center RUSH Oak Park Hospital Resurrection Health Care West Suburban Medical Center Resurrection Health Care Westlake Hospital Advocate Bethany Hospital Saint Anthony Hospital Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Sacred Heart Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center Norwegian-American Hospital John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County University of Illinois Medical Center Johnston R Bowman Health Center Kindred Hospital Northlake Rush University Medical Center Resurrection Health Care Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center Resurrection Health Care Saint Elizabeth Hospital Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Holy Cross Hospital Resurrection Health Care Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center Kindred Hospital Chicago Central RML Specialty Hospital Chicago-Read Mental Health Center Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children's Hospital Mercy Hospital & Medical Center Children's Memorial Hospital St Bernard Hospital & Health Care Center Lincoln Park Hospital Northwestern Memorial Hospital Prentice Women's Hospital Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Kindred Hospital Chicago North Provident Hospital of Cook County Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Little Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers CINN Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Medical Center Resurrection Health Care Saint Joseph Hospital University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital Swedish Covenant Hospital University of Chicago Hospital Bernard Mitchell Thorek Memorial Hospital Methodist Hospital of Chicago Weiss Memorial Hospital Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Chicago Lakeshore Hospital Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center Palos Community Hospital Kindred Hospital Chicago Lakeshore La Rabida Children's Hospital South Shore Hospital Roseland Community Hospital Resurrection Health Care Saint Francis Hospital Advocate Lutheran General Hospital MetroSouth Medical Center Advocate Trinity Hospital Adventist GlenOaks Hospital RUSH North Shore Medical Center Alexian Brothers Medical Center Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital Resurrection Health Care Holy Family Medical Center NorthShore University HealthSystems Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Diarrhea by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
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Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the rectum, usually caused by untreated constipation, but occasionally associated with chronic diarrhea. If untreated, hemorrhoids can worsen, protruding from the anus. Also known as piles.
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Staph Infection (Staphylococcus Aureus)
- Staphylococcus or Staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly by the toxins they produce. Symptoms and signs of a Staph infection include redness, swelling, pain, and drainage of pus. Minor skin infections are treated with an antibiotic ointment, while more serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
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Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
- Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Diverticulitis symptoms include: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Treatment methods include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
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Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
- Gastroenteritis (viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu) is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting and/or diarrhea. Even though it is often called the "stomach flu," it is not caused by the influenza viruses. Viruses that can cause gastroenteritis (stomach flu) include: rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and a group of Noroviruses. Gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria. The main symptoms of gastroenteritis include vomiting and watery diarrhea, however, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps (stomach ache) may also be present.
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Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are common symptoms.
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Dehydration
- Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring.
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Anal Itching
- Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. Causes include everything from irritating foods we eat, to certain disease and infections. Treatment options include local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, protectants, astringents, antiseptics, keratolytics, analgesics, and corticosteroids. If condition persists, a doctor examination may be needed to identify an underlying cause.
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Intestinal Gas
- Gas or "intestinal gas" means different things to different people. Everyone has gas and eliminates it by belching or farting (passing it through the rectum).
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Colon Cancer
- Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
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Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, depression, and cognitive slowing. Treatment is by medication, the use of radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery, or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone.
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Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)
- Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. They can be found on bedpans, furniture, toilet seats, linens, telephones, stethoscopes, fingernails, rings, floors, infants' rooms, and diaper pails. They even can be carried by pets. Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using antibiotics. Treatment for C. difficile colitis hydration, replenishment of electrolyte deficiencies, discontinuing the antibiotic that caused the colitis, and using antibiotics to eradicate the C. difficile bacterium.
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Ulcerative Colitis
- Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn's disease, and together they are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment depends upon the type of ulcerative colitis diagnosed.
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Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
- An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barre. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infection are generally with OTC medication and home remedies.
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Lactose Intolerance
- In lactose intolerance, the digestive system cannot digest lactose (the main sugar in milk). Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, abdominal distention, and nausea. There are several tests to diagnose lactose intolerance. Treatment is generally made with dietary changes, supplements, and adaptation to small amounts of milk.
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Celiac Disease
- Celiac disease is a result of an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat or related grains and present in many foods that we eat. Celiac disease causes impaired absorption and digestion of nutrients through the small intestine. Signs and symptoms of celiac disease include malabsorbption (diarrhea, foul smelling gas, bloating, and increased amounts of fat in the stool) and malnutrition (weight loss, edema, anemia, bruising easily, neuropathy, and infertility). Treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet, and at times if necessary, medications
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Stool Color & Texture Changes (Black, Red, Maroon, Green, Yellow, Gray, Tarry, Sticky)
- Stool color is generally brown. When stool color changes, often, an individual becomes concerned. The presence of the bilirubin in bile is generally responsible for stool color. Bilirubin concentration can vary bile color from light yellow to almost black in color. Changes in bilirubin can cause stool to turn green, gray, or clay-like in color. Intestinal bleeding may turn stool black, tarry, red, maroon, or smelly stool. Medication and food may also affect stool color.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the years. Treatment options include medication and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management to control symptoms. Also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis, nervous colon syndrome.
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Bladder Infection
- E. coli is the most common cause of bladder infections. Bladder infection symptoms and signs include frequent urination, burning urination, and foul smelling urine. Mild bladder infections may go away by increasing one's intake of fluid. More severe infections may be treated with a few days of antibiotics.
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Colitis
- Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per ml of fluid) are present in the small intestine and the types of bacteria in the small intestine resemble more the bacteria of the colon than the small intestine. There are many conditions associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, to include: diabetes, scleroderma, Crohn's disease, and others. There is a striking similarity between the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO. It has been theorized that SIBO may be responsible for the symptoms of at least some patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms of SIBO include: excess gas, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
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Food Allergy
- The most common food allergies are to eggs, nuts, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries and tomatoes. Symptoms and signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, itching, hives, eczema, asthma, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis. Allergy skin tests, RAST, and ELISA tests may be used to diagnose a food allergy. Though dietary avoidance may be sufficient treatment for mild allergies, the use of an Epipen may be necessary for severe food allergies.
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Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)
- Hyponatremia is a condition where the level of sodium in the blood is low. Causes of hyponatremia can occur from excess fluid in the body, or a loss of sodium in body fluid. Some of the symptoms of hyponatremia include headache, muscle cramps or spasm, seizures, weakness and confusion. Treatment of hyponatremia depends on the cause.
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Malaria
- Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms of malaria include chills, pain, fever, and sweating. Though mild cases of malaria can be treated with oral medication, severe cases require intravenous drug treatment and fluids.
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Roseola
- Roseola is a viral illness that most commonly affects young children. Symptoms and signs include a sudden high fever that lasts for three to five days, swollen neck glands, runny nose, puffy eyelids, diarrhea, irritability, and a bulging soft spot on the head.
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Typhoid Fever
- Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. The illness is contracted by ingesting the bacteria in contaminated water or food. Symptoms include headaches, fever, diarrhea, lethargy, aches and pains, and poor appetite. Treatment focuses on killing the Salmonella bacteria with antibiotics.
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Salmonella
- Salmonella bacteria are known to cause salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and paratyphoid fever in humans. Salmonella infection is usually caused by ingesting large amounts of the bacteria in contaminated food or water.
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Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
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Measles
- Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious disease that's caused by a virus. Symptoms include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Treatment focuses on symptom relief. The disease can be prevented with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
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