Diarrhea & Constipation

Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists
Gastroenterology located in Aiea, HI & Honolulu, HI

It’s normal to experience diarrhea and constipation at some point in your life. But if you’re experiencing frequent constipation or prolonged diarrhea lasting more than two days, it may be time to schedule an appointment with the experts at Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists so they can get to the root of the problem. Call one of the offices in Honolulu or Aiea, Hawaii today or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.

Diarrhea & Constipation Q & A

When Should I Schedule an Appointment if I Have Diarrhea?

Every once in a while you may experience diarrhea or loose and watery stools. But you should call the office if:

  • Your diarrhea lasts longer than two days
  • You have a fever above 102°F
  • There’s blood in your stool
  • You’re experiencing severe abdominal or rectal pain

There are a number of reasons you may be experiencing diarrhea. It could be the result of infection or food intolerance, like intolerance to lactose in milk. But in some cases, your diarrhea may be caused by a serious medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, or colitis.

The gastroenterologists at Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists can determine the cause of your diarrhea after a thorough examination that may include a stool test, blood test, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy.

How is Diarrhea Managed?

Management for your diarrhea depends on the underlying cause. If it’s an infection, your doctor prescribes antibiotics and recommends fluids with electrolytes, such as juice, broth, or sports drinks to improve hydration.

If your diarrhea is due to a medical condition such as colitis or lactose intolerance, your doctor can manage the underlying condition to alleviate the diarrhea.

When Should I Schedule an Appointment for Constipation?

You should visit Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists if you’re experiencing chronic constipation, which is two or more constipation symptoms that last longer than three months.

Symptoms of constipation include:

  • Experiencing hard and lumpy stools
  • Being unable to pass more than three stools a week
  • Straining to have a bowel movement
  • Feeling like you can’t completely empty your bowel or feel a blockage
  • Needing to press on your abdomen or use your finger to remove stool

There are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing constipation, such as blockages in your colon or rectum, an underlying medical condition such as Parkinson’s disease or diabetes, or issues with your digestive muscles that make bowel movements difficult.

What Can I Do to Relieve Constipation?

You may be able to alleviate and prevent constipation by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists encourages you to:

  • Eat a high fiber diet
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Exercise most days of the week

If lifestyle changes don’t improve your bowel movements, your doctor may suggest laxatives to loosen the stool or medications that improve bowel motility.

For treatment and management of your diarrhea or constipation, call the office or schedule an appointment online.

Contact Us

Our Locations

Office and Affiliated Endoscopy Center

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Aiea Clinic - Closed for lunch 11:30am-1pm

Monday - Friday:

7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday:

7:30 am - 11:30 am

Sunday:

Closed

Pacific Endoscopy Center

Monday - Friday:

6:30 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday:

By appointment only

Sunday:

Closed