The workup of diarrhea can be expensive. Identification of dietary factors that may be contributing to the diarrhea can provide rapid resolution in some cases.
The patient should be asked about:
(1) factors that may trigger diarrhea
(2) variation in severity over time
Factors that may contribute to diarrhea:
(1) caffeine intake, especially if high
(2) lactose intake
(3) high fructose intake
(4) sorbitol intake
(5) heavy alcohol intake
(6) spicy food and/or hot pepper dishes
(7) anything unusual in diet
If the diarrhea resolves after removal of the triggering factors then some measure of control can be taken by the patient.
The presence of dietary risk factors contributing to diarrhea does not exclude other causes for diarrhea such as colitis or irritable bowel disease.
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