Problem of Diarrhea, Description, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies and Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Introduction
Diarrhea is described as three or more loose or watery stools a day. Infection usually causes severe diarrhea.
Non-communicable etymology is more common as the period of diarrhea is prolonged. The duration of treatment and management is based on specific etymology. Infectious diarrhea prevention involves proper hand washing to prevent the spread of infection.
Diarrhea Treatment and Related Problem
Norovirus is associated with about one-fifth of all infectious diarrheas, with the same prevalence in both children and adults, and more than 200,000 deaths are estimated annually in developing countries. Historically, rotavirus (Rotavirus) is the most common cause of serious diseases in young children worldwide. Rotavirus vaccination program has reduced the prevalence of diarrhea patients associated with rotavirus. In Europe, Ulcerative colitis and crohn disease cases are from 6.0 per 100,000 individuals per year in ulcerative colitis and every 100 in 1962 in crohn disease From 1.0 per 100,000 individuals a year to 9.8 per 100,000 individuals a year and 6.3 per 100,000-20 years overall.
The following parts of the article will discuss other problem associated with diarrhea, its treatment and other related information.
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Causes of Diarrhea Problem
Diarrhea mainly consists of two types or types – Acute and Chronic. Acute diarrhea is usually caused by virus infections and is seen to be caused by chronic diarrhea absorption, inflammatory bowel disease, and side effects of medication. Apart from these some other factors can also lead to diarrhea problems. They are-
- Alcohol abuse/excessive drinking
- Allergies to some foods
- Diabetes
- Intestinal diseases (such as crohn disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Eating foods that disturb the digestive system
- Infection by bacteria (most types of food poisoning) or other organisms
- Laxative abuse
- Highly active thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Radiation Treatment
- Running (Some people have “runner’s diarrhea” that are not clear)
- Some cancers
- Surgery of your digestive system etc.
Types of Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be of 3 types-
1) Acute diarrhea – The most common acute diarrhea is loose watery diarrhea that lasts for one to two days. Usually this type of diarrhea does not require treatment; it goes away on its own after a few days.
3) Persistent diarrhea – This type of diarrhea usually lasts for weeks. This period can be up to two to four weeks.
2) Chronic diarrhea – Diarrhea that lasts or regularly comes for more than four weeks and lasts for a long time is called chronic diarrhea. There are also 3 subtypes of chronic diarrhea:
- Watery- Lactose intolerance is a type of watery diarrhea that causes water logging in the intestinal lumen. Patients usually have swelling and bloating symptoms with watery diarrhea. Lactose breaks down in the intestine with lactase enzymes. Byproducts are easily absorbed by the epithelial cells. When the lactose decreases or is missing, lactose cannot be absorbed, and it is present in the inner lumen. Lactose is osmotically-active, and it holds and attracts water leading to watery diarrhea.
- Fatty (absorption)- Common causes of fatty diarrhea include celiac disease and chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas releases enzymes required for food breakdown. Enzymes are released from the pancreas and help in digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Once broken, the products are available for intake in the intestine. Patients with chronic pancreatitis do not have enough enzyme release which leads to absorption. Symptoms often include upper abdominal pain, bloating, and smelly, large pale stools caused by fat loss.
- Infectious – In bacterial and viral diarrhea, watery stool is caused by intestinal epithelial injury. The epithelial cells line the intestinal tract and help absorb water, electrolytes and other saluts. Infectious etymology causes damage to the epithelial cells which increases the atomicity of the intestine. Damaged epithelial cells are unable to absorb water from the intestinal lumen slackening the stool.
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Symptoms of Diarrhea
Common symptoms of diarrhea problems include –
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Bloody stool
- Mucus in the stool
- Urgent need for bowel movement
Home Remedies for Diarrhea
- Stay Hydrated
Maintaining the right amount of water in the body when you have diarrhea is very important. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. Breastfeeding should continue to be done to newborns who are experiencing diarrhea. Oral fluids available to children, such as pedialyte, recommended liquids of choice for children with diarrhea. Low level sesame hydration solution should be given frequently.
Alcohol-like liquids, milk, soda, and other caffeinated drinks should not be consumed in such a situation, as they can worsen your symptoms.
- Take Probiotics
Probiotics are the source of “good” bacteria that contribute to creating a healthy gut environment in your intestinal tract. Good bacteria living in your intestinal tract are essential for the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system. They play an important role in protecting your gut from infections. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in the intestine. Other foods like pickles, yogurt, olives, long-stored soft cheese, cottage cheese, dark chocolate etc. are rich in probiotics. You can also take probiotic supplements.
- Eat foods that are low in fiber:
Some foods can help reduce diarrhea symptoms and ensure that your health does not deteriorate from eating. Such foods include low-lying foods, such as rice, boiled or roasted potatoes, roasted chicken, chicken soup, oatmeal, toast etc.
- Avoid certain foods:
Eating fried and oily foods is not safe for the body in people with diarrhea. You should also consider limiting high-fiber foods such as bran as well as fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating. Foods to avoid include alcohol, artificial sweets (chewing gum, diet found in soft drinks and sugar options) bean, berries, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chickpeas, coffee, maize, ice cream, green leafy vegetables, milk, peas, chilies, prawn, tea, etc.
Also Read: Importance of Water – How Much Water Should I Drink a Day?
Complications of Diarrhea
There are two serious problem or complications of diarrhea-
1) Dehydration (in case of severe and frequent diarrhea),
2) Absorption (in case of chronic diarrhea).
Diarrhea can indicate a wide range of underlying long-term conditions. Diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further complications.
Conclusion
The above article provides you a basic knowledge of the problem of diarrhea and other related information. This article may benefit you in various ways.
Also Read: Problem of Diarrhea and Treatment (Assamese)
Sources: NCBI
FAQ
1) What is diarrhea?
A- Diarrhea is a bowel disorder that is characterized by increased mobility in the colon causing abnormal fluidity and frequency of bowel extraction; One of the major symptoms of such underlying disorders can be dysenteric disease, lactose intolerance, GI. tumors, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Diarrhea is the passage of watery stool. This means fluid and salts may be lost quickly from the body. The baby’s body becomes dry (dehydrated) and can cause very dangerous and death.
2) What is dehydration?
A- Dehydration is the loss of water and body salts through diarrhea. The human body needs enough blood and water to maintain other fluids to function properly. If your body loses much more fluid than you drink, you become dehydrated. You can lose fluid in many ways-
- While urinating
- When you vomit or have diarrhea
- While sweating
- From the lungs during normal breathing.
With fluid, your body loses electrolytes, which are commonly found salts in blood, other fluids and cells.
3) How is dehydration formed?
A- The common causes of dehydration are a lot of diarrhea and vomiting. Dehydration can occur if you get more or more of the potential during, during or after a hard workout during illness. Fluid reduction drugs are a common long-term cause to control excess body fluid (urethra).
4) How does ORT work?
A- Acute diarrhea usually lasts only a few days. ORT does not stop diarrhea, but it fills the space of lost fluids and essential salts in the body and thus reduces the risk by preventing or treating dehydration. Glucose in ORS solution enables the intestine to absorb fluids and salts more efficiently. ORT is an effective treatment for 90-95% of patients suffering from acute watery diarrhea alone, regardless of the reason; it makes vein drip therapy unnecessary in all but the most serious cases.
5) Why does diarrhea occur during menstruation?
A. Some women may have diarrhea during menstruation, which is monthly in relation to their period. Hormonal changes during menstruation can cause menstrual-related diarrhea.