Chronic gastroenteritis: causes, symptoms, treatment, and living with it
Chronic gastroenteritis isn't just a bad stomach — it's ongoing inflammation of the gut that lasts weeks or months and drains your energy. If you've had loose stools, belly pain, bloating or nausea for more than four weeks, it's time to look beyond quick fixes. This page helps you spot common causes, understand tests and treatments, and pick practical steps to feel better day-to-day.
Common causes and symptoms
Several things can keep gut inflammation going. Persistent infections like parasites (Giardia), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or untreated H. pylori can be culprits. Non-infectious causes include celiac disease, food intolerances (lactose, fructose), post-infectious irritable bowel, and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Certain drugs — especially long-term NSAIDs — and radiation exposure can also cause chronic gastroenteritis.
Symptoms vary but watch for ongoing diarrhea, loose or watery stools, cramping, bloating, unexplained weight loss, blood or mucus in stool, fatigue, and signs of dehydration. If symptoms come and go, keeping a simple diary of food, meds and stress often reveals patterns.
Treatment, common meds and practical tips
Your doctor will usually start with tests: stool studies, blood work, celiac screening, breath tests for SIBO or lactose, and sometimes endoscopy or colonoscopy with biopsies. Treating the root cause matters — antiparasitic drugs for Giardia, targeted antibiotics for certain bacterial problems, and disease-specific drugs for IBD. Don’t use antibiotics without a clear reason; that can make things worse.
For symptom relief, over-the-counter loperamide can control diarrhea short-term, and oral rehydration solutions prevent dehydration. Probiotics may help some people, especially after antibiotics. If inflammation is immune-driven, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines, immunosuppressants, or biologics under specialist care.
Diet changes often help. Try small, regular meals, avoid obvious triggers (fried foods, caffeine, alcohol), and consider a trial of low-FODMAP or lactose-free eating under guidance. A food and symptom diary makes trial-and-error faster and safer. Stay hydrated, replace electrolytes when needed, and rest during flare-ups.
See a doctor quickly if you have high fever, severe belly pain, bloody stools, rapid heartbeat, fainting, or signs of severe dehydration like very little urine. If symptoms are persistent but not life-threatening, ask for a gastroenterology referral and bring your symptom diary and a list of meds to the visit.
Living with chronic gastroenteritis means learning what your gut tolerates and getting the right medical support. With the right tests, targeted treatment and a few daily habits, most people get much better control and fewer surprises.
You can also ask about vaccines for preventable infections when traveling, and take food-safety steps like bottled water in risky areas. Keep a current medication list and avoid mixing OTC remedies without asking your doctor; some painkillers and supplements can irritate the gut. If everyday anxiety or sleep problems make symptoms worse, treating those issues often eases gut symptoms too. Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if tests are unclear or symptoms keep returning.
Small changes add up fast; talk openly with your care team regularly.
