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Have you ever had those days when everything looked so perfect? You wake up feeling great, ready to take on routine tasks. But then, out of nowhere, you start to feel a rumble in your stomach. Before you even know it, you’re rushing to the bathroom back to back.
Yes, we are talking about nothing other than diarrhea — an unexpected guest that shows up unannounced and disrupts your plans. We all experience this condition called“the runs”in some phase of life — turning our fun days into not-so-great ones.
But you’re not alone here. In fact, an estimated2 billion cases of this disease occur every year.
In developing countries, about 1.9 million children under 5 years die from diarrhea. This is what makes it the5th leading cause of unfortunate death!
The most commonly encountered causes ofdiarrhea are infectious, such as parasites, viruses, and bacteria.
Generally, severe diarrhea lasts 2 days or so, but continuous watery and loose bowel movements can be a problem. So, if such a condition persists beyond 2 weeks, then there must be something serious going on.
In this article, we’ll talk about the signs and findings of diarrhea, its causes, treatment, diagnosis, significant types, prevention, and more.
Diarrhea is not only about frequent trips to the bathroom. It is often associated with other characteristic signs and findings.
Here’s what you need to look out for:
These are mild symptoms that might vanish after a day or two. However, it’s important to consult your doctor if you experience severe symptoms, such as :
If you’ve been suffering from chronic medical conditions already, like heart disease, even a single day of diarrhea can throw a wrench in the works. So, it's something to take seriously in those situations.
Depending on the underlying functional irregularity, there are 4 kinds of diarrhea. Understanding these types helps in dealing with them appropriately.
First, we have osmotic diarrhea, which appears out of nowhere and leaves watery stools in its wake. In this type, water absorption in the intestines is hindered due to excessive solutes in the lumen - leading to diarrhea straightaway.
Normally, it may be caused by the following situations:
Lactose intolerance affects humans the most, caused by the lack of the enzyme lactase. Consequently, the unabsorbed lactose is absorbed into a large lumen, fermented and producing gas.
This type of diarrhea resolves once your body removes whatever substance has been causing it. Therefore, stay hydrated and eat soft foods such as rice or bananas to help your tummy feel better.
Oftencaused by bacteria or viruses, it makes your intestines release more salt and water than your belly can absorb. Thiswater balance dysregulation overwhelms the gut’s absorptive capacity — ultimately leading to increased loss of water in the stool and diarrhea.
The main culprit of this kind of diarrhea is cholera, which produces toxins. Still, apart from this, some other agents also lead to this condition. These are:
To flush out the bad stuff and return to a routine, you must rest and eat bland foods like crackers and toast.
According to the National Library of Medicine, infectious diarrhea is a worldwidehealth problem. Research has offered new insights into the diarrhea mechanism caused by pathogens and nasty germs divided into invasive, inflammatory, and noninflammatory.
All three groups can cause diarrheal syndromes, i.e., inflammatory and noninflammatory diarrhea, which irritates and inflames your intestines.
When this type of diarrhea takes place, it can make you feel feverish and weak.
Possible sources of infectious or inflamed diarrhea include:
It’s important to see a doctor if you’re suffering from this type, who may prescribe proper medication to fight off the dangerous germs.
Meanwhile, stick to digestible foods and drink plenty of fluids to recover fast!
Motility–related diarrhea is when your intestines move too quickly without giving your body enough time to absorb nutrients and water effectively.
In a nutshell, it is caused by therapid food movement through your intestines (hypermotility). Colonic motor and gastrointestinal motor disturbances may alsocontribute to diarrhea.
It's like a roller coaster ride for your gut, causing watery stools and often stomach cramps.
This type of diarrhea often leads to severe stomach cramps, and it can also be a symptom of underlying conditions likeIBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
Treatment for motility in chronic diarrhea includes correction of underlying abnormalities like:
To manage motility-related diarrhea, try to eat small meals, reducestress, and avoid dairy products or caffeine.
Persistent and acute diarrhea may havecauses different from chronic ones. In other words, this disease can be caused due to several reasons. In the United States,mild cases of diarrhea are caused by bacteria like Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter.
The usual suspects that cause diarrhea worldwide include:
A history of antibiotic use or traveling can be a clue in chronic diarrhea. Different parasites and bacteria can be another major cause.Microbes like parasitic organisms, viruses, and bacteria are responsible for this severe infection.
Viral hepatitis, rotavirus, and norovirus can also cause diarrhea - often spreading through polluted water or contaminated food. In addition, sneaky parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia can also be transmitted through poisonous food and play the villain in this tale.
Spices that contain harmful chemical compounds, like Capsaicin, can cause a burning, warm sensation upon contact with body tissues. As diarrhea boosts the overall digestive processes, this ingredient from spicy meals may leave your body before finally breaking down.
IBD is among one of themost common causes of diarrhea. Inflammatory Bowel Disease describes either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Both underlying conditions may lead to blood in the stool and inflammation in the digestive tract.
Medications, particularly antibiotics, can highly disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome - leading to watery stools and other diarrhea symptoms as a side effect.
People going through physical trauma suffer not just outside, but the inner digestive system may also get disturbed. As a result, foods may not break down completely when they leave your body.
Some cancer treatments can alsolead to diarrhea. Radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy can all upset your stomach's equilibrium. It can also occur due to surgery when specific intestinal parts are removed. In addition, neoplastic diarrhea is linked with several gut cancers.
Once you've caught on to the symptoms, the next step you need to take is to look forward to its diagnosis for further confirmation.
Physicians utilize various tools and techniques to reveal the main culprit behind your signs and symptoms. Theinvestigation starts with a thorough medical history by querying about potential triggers, recent travels, current medications, and other medical conditions.
These questions may also include:
Upon physical examination, patients may have lab tests to check urine and blood.
For a successful treatment plan, you willundergo additional tests, which may include:
Through these tests and other clues, healthcare providers can effectively pinpoint the cause of your diarrhea to recommend the most helpful treatment plan.
The difference between “diarrhoea” and “diarrhea” lies in spelling conversations in different English-speaking regions. In America, people spell "diarrhea" with an "a." But when we talk further about Britain, it transforms into "diarrhoea," spelled with an "oe."Clear enough?
No matter how you spell or pronounce it, it explains the same uncomfortable condition where you have watery and loose stools.
Most cases of mild diarrhea clear independently in a couple of days without needing treatment. However, if a person has diarrhealasting for over 7 days, then one should promptly consult a doctor and take steps to treat it.
In anotherstudy, children are immediately treated if they have had over 5 bouts of diarrhea within 24 hours. So, when your symptoms start, you must keep a tab and see a doctor if your condition deteriorates.
Here are some simple steps to help you feel better fast!
Diarrhea causes your body to lose a lot of water with every trip to the bathroom, which can cause severedehydration in toddlers and older people. Therefore, you need to keep drinking fluids throughout the day.
Studies have revealed that over-the-counter rehydration solutions and sports drinks are equally beneficial for adults with acute diarrhea.
Avoid drinking soda, milk, caffeinated drinks, or alcohol for hydration, as they’re your worst enemies in this condition.
With your physician’s supervision, many over-the-counter medications can assist with diarrhea if your symptoms aren’t severe.
Some common over-the-counter medications involve:
But don’t use these drugs without consulting your doctor if you have had diarrhea for over 14 days.
What’s more, the listed medications are not recommended for children, especially those under 3 months.
Apart from this, you need to seek medical help if you have a fever, bloody diarrhea, intense abdominal pain, or other symptoms.
Your body needs proper time to heal, so resting is essential to recover from diarrhea, and avoid all strenuous activities until you get better again.
Diarrhea reducesappetite, so you must be considerate about your meals.
Choose low-fiber foods that can make your stools firm. Considering theBRAT diet (B: Banana, R: Rice, A: Applesauce, T: Toast) will also help.
You can add fish, chicken, lean beef, and potatoes for huge relief.
Try avoiding the following foods:
Again, if your symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours, you should see a healthcare professional immediately.
Making diet and lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of diarrhea and enhance the quality of your life. Here are a few tips:
Having said all that, it’s a good idea to consult a dietitian before making significant changes to your diet for chronic diarrhea.
In malnourished children and people with weak immune systems, even brief diarrhea episodes can seriously impact nutritional status. Research takes the view that experiencing diarrhea frequently can limit time for recovery & catch-up overall growth between episodes. The same study indicates that thedietary reserves of children are sufficient to offset the destructive effects of this disease.
Yes, this is how crucial your diet boosts your will to fight!
So, suppose you consume quality and nutritional foods. In that case, it will lower your chances of diarrhea and reduce your recovery time if you contract the disease.
Several effective diets based on staples are ideal choices fordiarrhea dietary management. So, keep the following foods in your diet for the maximum prevention of diarrhea:
While adding these meals to your diet, ensure you don’t overlook the factors that trigger your symptoms, like certain foods orreactions to antibiotic medicine.
In the meantime, avoiding high-fiber, fatty, and spicy foods is crucial, as these can worsen diarrhea conditions. After all, theprevention of diarrhea relies on the underlying cause.
Diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, which can be life-threatening if left untreated; this is especially dangerous in older adults, infants, and those with weak immune systems. If you're experiencing chronic diarrhea, it is advisable to consult with the doctor. So they canprescribe medications to treat this condition.
That said, you can prevent this uncomfortable condition with proper care and a healthy lifestyle. After that, you'll recover fast even if you contract the disease.
I hope this article helped you understand your symptoms and how to prevent diarrhea.