Understanding Diarrhea
When you experience diarrhea, the stool becomes soft and watery.
This condition is very common and is usually not serious.
People usually experience diarrhea once or twice a year. Diarrhea generally lasts 2 to 3 days. The source page states that diarrhea can be treated with over-the-counter medications
Symptoms
You may experience:
Cramp
Bloating
Watery stool
Watery or loose stools
Nausea and vomiting
An urgent need to have a bowel movement
Symptoms often include:
If you have diarrhea, your body loses fluids. If you don’t replace those fluids by drinking enough water, you can become dehydrated. Dehydration is a serious complication of diarrhea.
Causes
A number of diseases and conditions can cause diarrhea, including:
01
Virus.
Viruses that can cause diarrhea include the Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, and hepatitis viruses. Rotavirus is a common cause of acute diarrhea in children.
02
Bacteria & Parasites
Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to the body. Parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea. Common bacterial causes include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli. When traveling in developing countries, diarrhea caused by bacteria and parasites is often referred to as traveler's diarrhea. Infections Clostridium difficile This can happen, especially after taking antibiotics.
03
Medications
Many medications, such as antibiotics, can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, which can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. Other medications that cause diarrhea include cancer drugs and antacids containing magnesium.
04
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. People who have difficulty digesting lactose experience diarrhea after consuming dairy products.
05
Fructose
Fructose—a sugar that occurs naturally in fruit and honey and is added as a sweetener to some beverages—can cause diarrhea in people who have difficulty digesting it.
06
Artificial sweeteners
Sorbitol and mannitol, artificial sweeteners found in gum and other sugar-free products, can cause diarrhea in some healthy people.
07
Surgery
Some people experience diarrhea after undergoing abdominal surgery or gallbladder removal surgery.
08
Other digestive disorders
Chronic diarrhea has a number of other causes, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Complications
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Dehydration is particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Signs of dehydration in adults include:
• Excessive thirst
• Dry mouth or dry skin
• Very little or no urination
• Weakness, dizziness, or a feeling of lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Dark-colored urine
Signs of dehydration in infants and young children include:
• The diaper has not been wet for three hours or more
• Dry mouth and tongue
• A fever above 102°F (39°C)
• Crying without tears
• Drowsy, unresponsive, or easily irritable
• The abdomen, eyes, or cheeks appear sunken
Prevention
01
Hand Washing
Wash your hands to prevent the spread of viral diarrhea. Follow these procedures hand hygiene In everyday life, this can help prevent viral infections that cause diarrhea.
02
Vaccination
You can help protect your baby from rotavirus, the most common cause of viral diarrhea in children. A rotavirus vaccine is available for children.
Diagnosis
In addition to performing a physical exam and reviewing the medications you’re taking, your doctor may order tests to determine the cause of your diarrhea. These tests include:
01
Blood test
A complete blood count can help determine the cause of diarrhea.
02
Stool test
Your doctor may recommend a stool test to determine whether bacteria or parasites are causing the diarrhea.
03
Flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
Your doctor may recommend one of these procedures to examine the lining of the large intestine and take a biopsy if the cause of persistent diarrhea is unclear.
Both procedures use a thin tube with a light and a lens at the tip to view the inside of the large intestine.
Treatment
01
Most cases of diarrhea resolve on their own within a few days without treatment. However, if there are any unusual signs in your stool—such as blood or mucus—and you are passing a lot of watery stool, you should see a doctor to determine whether there is a more serious cause of the diarrhea.
02
If lifestyle changes and home care for diarrhea do not work, your doctor may recommend medication or other treatments.
03
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may help treat diarrhea caused solely by bacteria or parasites.
04
Adjustments to the medications you are taking
If the doctor determines that the antibiotic is causing diarrhea, he or she may reduce the dose or switch to a different medication.
04
Treatment for fluid replacement
Your doctor will likely recommend that you replace lost fluids and salts. Water is a good way to replace fluids, but it does not contain salts and electrolytes—minerals such as sodium and potassium—which are necessary to maintain the electrical impulses that keep the heart beating. The source page explains that electrolyte levels can be supported by drinking fruit juice for potassium or eating soup for sodium. Certain fruit juices, such as apple juice, can worsen diarrhea. For children, using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, can prevent dehydration or replace lost fluids.