Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Diarrhea is a common digestive ailment that almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It is characterized by frequent, watery bowel movements that can vary in severity.
In this article, we shall shed light on the causes and symptoms of diarrhea, and learn how to treat and manage it.
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea refers to the frequent passage of loose, watery stools, often accompanied by discomfort and stomachaches. It typically lasts a few days and can result from various causes. However, prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and may indicate a more severe underlying health issue. In such cases, it is crucial to seek assistance form your healthcare provider.
What’s The Difference Between Acute Diarrhea and Severe Diarrhea?
Acute diarrhea typically lasts up to two days and can result from various causes, like food poisoning. While inconvenient, it usually resolves on its own without long-term health implications.
On the other hand, severe or chronic diarrhea lasts two to four weeks or more, and can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain infections.
What Causes Diarrhea?
Some common causes of diarrhea include:
1. Infections: Pathogens, encompassing viruses, bacteria, and parasites, are the leading causes of diarrhea. In adults, norovirus is often the cause, leading to gastroenteritis. For children, rotavirus is commonly responsible for acute diarrhea symptoms.
2. Food Poisoning: Consuming contaminated foods or drinks introduces toxins and pathogens into the digestive system, resulting in diarrhea. A frequent instance is 'Traveler’s diarrhea', which tourists might contract in areas with questionable sanitation, usually due to bacterial exposure.
3. Medications: Certain drugs have diarrhea as a side effect. Antibiotics, while eradicating harmful bacteria, can also diminish beneficial ones, increasing diarrhea risk. Other causes include antacids with magnesium, some cancer treatments, and the excessive use of laxatives.
4. Foods Causing Digestive Issues: Lactose in dairy products can trigger diarrhea in those who are lactose intolerant. Similarly, some people might struggle with fructose found in honey, fruits, and certain processed foods. For those with celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten—a protein in wheat—can lead to diarrhea symptoms.
5. Bowels-Related Diseases: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) result in bowel inflammation and irritation, commonly manifesting as diarrhea. It is worth noting that stress and anxiety can exacerbate diarrhea symptoms, especially in conditions like IBS.
6. Post-Bowel Procedures: Surgeries on the bowels might cause temporary diarrhea, as the digestive system adjusts to effectively process nutrients and manage waste.
What Are The Symptoms of Diarrhea?
Diarrhea symptoms can range from mild to severe and typically include:
1. Frequent, loose, watery stools
2. Abdominal cramps or pain
3. Bloating
4. Nausea
If you have severe diarrhea, you may also experience fever, vomiting, blood or mucus in your stool, abnormal weight loss, severe pain, and dehydration. Some common signs of dehydration are dry mouth, headache, severe nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, dark urine, and dizziness.
How Do You Diagnose Diarrhea?
Diagnosing diarrhea often begins with a thorough understanding of the individual's circumstances. While many diarrhea cases don't necessitate extensive diagnostic procedures or treatment, it is essential to pinpoint the causes in severe instances.
Healthcare providers typically inquire about personal medical history, family health history, recent travels, and any interactions with ill people.
To delve deeper into the underlying diarrhea causes, several tests might be administered, including:
1. Blood tests to exclude specific conditions
2. Stool tests to detect blood or bacterial infections
3. Hydrogen breath test for determining intolerances and bacterial overgrowth
4. Endoscopy to identify potential structural issues in the digestive tract, such as tumors or ulcers
How Is Diarrhea Treated?
Acute diarrhea often resolves itself in a few days without intervention. However, when home remedies and lifestyle changes don't suffice, medical interventions might be needed. Some of the common diarrhea treatment include:
Antibiotics or Anti-parasitics
For diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites, these medications can be beneficial. However, if a virus triggers the diarrhea, antibiotics won't provide relief.
Fluid Replacement
Staying hydrated is crucial. Doctors usually recommend drinking fluids enriched with electrolytes, like juices or broth. If consuming liquids irritates the stomach, IV fluids might be administered. While water replenishes fluids, it lacks essential salts and electrolytes. Consuming fruit juices can maintain electrolyte balance, but some, like apple juice, may exacerbate diarrhea symptoms.
Medication Adjustments
If a particular antibiotic is identified as the diarrhea cause, a doctor might modify the dosage or prescribe an alternative.
Treating Underlying Conditions
In cases where diarrhea symptoms point to severe conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, targeted treatments become necessary. This might involve consulting specialists like gastroenterologists for a tailored treatment approach.
Probiotics
Introducing beneficial bacteria into the gut using probiotics can be a strategic move against diarrhea. However, before starting probiotics or any supplement, always consult your healthcare provider.
Can Diarrhea Harm Your Health?
Yes, diarrhea can harm your health if not addressed. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can cause kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, or even death, if not treated on time. Common symptoms of dehydration include dark urine, dry mouth, fatigue, and dizziness.
In severe cases, diarrhea can also result in malnutrition, damaging the intestines and affecting the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
It is, therefore, crucial to drink plenty of fluids and seek medical attention if symptoms persist or if you suspect dehydration.
Are There Any Foods That Can Help My Diarrhea Go Away?
There are many foods that can help alleviate diarrhea symptoms, such as:
1. Clear liquids, like electrolyte drinks, water, or fruit juice without added sugar
2. High-potassium foods, such as diluted fruit juices, skinless potatoes, and bananas
3. High-sodium foods like broths, soups, sports drinks, and salted crackers
4. Foods rich in soluble fiber, such as bananas, oatmeal, and rice
In addition to consuming these foods, it is also recommended to avoid:
1. Sugar-laden items, such as sugar-free gum, mints, and certain fruits like cherries and prunes
2. Caffeinated beverages and medicines
3. High-fructose items found in specific fruit juices, grapes, honey, and soft drinks
4. Dairy products rich in lactose
5. Products containing olestra, magnesium, or artificial sweeteners
Can Diarrhea Be Prevented?
Diarrhea, while common, can often be a result of infections or food contamination. While one cannot always guarantee diarrhea prevention, there are certain steps to help reduce the diarrhea risk.
1. Maintain Good Hygiene: Always wash your hands with soap and water, especially after restroom use, or handling and consuming food. If soap isn't accessible, hand sanitizer serves as an alternative.
2. Get Required Vaccinations: Getting vaccinated can be a strong preventive measure. The rotavirus vaccine tackles a common diarrhea cause, while the COVID-19 vaccine can diminish the risk of acquiring COVID-related diarrhea symptoms.
3. Ensure Safe Food Storage & Consumption: Make sure foods are stored at recommended temperatures and thoroughly cooked. Avoid eating items past their expiration date.
4. Travel Safely: Travel can expose you to new environments and contamination risks. Avoid untreated water. This means no tap water for drinking, making ice cubes, or brushing teeth. Instead, go for bottled, boiled, or pasteurized water. Pasteurization is a process that eliminates harmful germs from certain beverages.
Additionally, be cautious with food; avoid undercooked meats and shellfish. While fruits and vegetables are nutritious, their skins might harbor contaminants. When traveling, opt for peeled fruits and well-cooked meals.
Conclusion
Diarrhea is a common ailment that can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, food poisoning, medications, and certain medical conditions. While mild cases of diarrhea typically resolve on their own, severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other complications.
It is important to seek medical attention if you experience diarrhea for more than two days, or if you have other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or blood in your stool.
Your Aster DM Team
At Aster DM Healthcare, we understand that diarrhea can be a distressing and inconvenient condition. Our team of experienced gastroenterologists and other healthcare professionals are experts in diagnosing and treating diarrhea. We work with you to identify the underlying cause of your diarrhea and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you relieve your symptoms and prevent future episodes. We are here to help you get the care you need to get back on your feet quickly and safely.
