Chronic diarrhea can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Dr. María Teresa Herráiz Bayod, director of the Department of Digestive of the University of Navarra Clinic, stands out to the agency EFE The relevance of an adequate diagnosis to address this condition.
The specialist in digestive system express that, if that pathology has an origin such as the bile acids (MAB), it can be treated effectively, if there is a correct diagnosiseither.
“For weeks, even months, many people come to live with a symptom that can alter their daily lives, limits their routines and mine their physical and emotional well -being,” he warns about chronic diarrhea.
Common causes of chronic diarrhea
Herráiz Bayod holds in an article to EFE That chronic diarrhea, which can be called in this way when it persists for more than four weeks, “is often minimized, is attributed to stress, a bad digestion or – in the case of cancer patients – for the inevitable side effects of treatment. But, in many cases, persistent diarrhea has a specific, identifiable and treatable cause that usually goes unnoticed, this is, the juggling of acid biliary ”.
“The problem is that it is often normalized. Some patients resign themselves, and others, especially those who have already crossed cancer, tend to consider it ‘part of the process’, but it is not since when that pathology has an origin such as the juggling of bile acids,” he explains.
Biliary acid malabsorption (MAB) is often an underlying factor in cases of chronic diarrhea. This condition occurs when the intestine does not properly reabsorb bile salts, resulting in aqueous diarrhea.
Biliary acid diarrhea (DAB) is common among patients who have received oncological treatment, in particular those who have gone through abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy.
Chronic diarrhea in cancer patients
Chronic diarrhea not only affects comfort, but can have serious consequences, including malnutrition and the need to interrupt effective oncological treatments.
A precise diagnosis is crucial. Gammagia for the measurement of bile acid losses is an effective method to classify juggling and guide proper treatment.
Sensitization on DAB
“An not treated DAB properly can have important consequences on the patient’s health, since, in addition to diminishing the quality of life, it can cause malnutrition, metabolic alterations and even lead to suspend or reduce oncological treatments that are effective,” reiterates the doctor.
“The most serious thing is that many patients go through numerous tests, restrictive diets or treatments that do not address the root problem,” he says.
Therefore, it is essential to educate both patients and health professionals about DAB. Early identification and proper treatment are essential to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from chronic diarrhea.
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