Diarrhea is the frequent
passage of loose and
watery stools.
Stool is what left
after the digestive
system (stomach, small
intestine, and colon)
absorbs nutrients and
fluids from what we eat
and drink. Stool
passes out from the body
through the anus.
If fluids are not
absorbed, stools will be
loose and watery.
People with diarrhea
often have frequent
bowel movements and may
pass more than 5-10
times a day.
Return to Top
Diarrhea can be caused
by many microorganisms
including bacteria,
viruses, or parasites
(tiny organisms that
live inside a larger
organism). The
person may have pick up
these organisms from
other people or from
eating and drinking
contaminated food and
water.
Other causes of diarrhea
include:
|
-
|
|
Reactions to
medicines such as
antibiotics and
antacids
|
|
|
- |
|
Food intolerance such
as milk
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
-
|
|
Diseases that affect
the stomach, small
intestine, or colon,
such as
Crohn's disease and
irritable bowel
syndrome
|
|
In some cases the cause
for diarrhea is unknown.
Return to Top
Diarrhea is the body's
way of getting rid of
foreign substances and
toxins. It usually
clears up within a few
days.
Indeed this is a natural
solution for
the body to 'flush'
itself clean. It
is recommended that the
best medicine is to let
the diarrhea "run its
course' but
the person must drink enough
to replace the fluid
loss.
However, diarrhea
can also be a sign of
more serious problem.
It is important that
you identify the cause
so that appropriate
treatments can be
rendered .
In any case, consult your doctor if
the person has the
following signs and
symptoms:
|
-
|
|
Diarrhea lasts for
more than 2 days
with large amount of
loose stools.
|
|
|
- |
|
Severe pain of the
abdomen or rectum
|
|
|
- |
|
Fever (a sign that
the body is fighting
infection)
|
|
|
- |
|
Stools that are
bloody or black and
tarry
|
|
|
-
|
|
Children younger than 12
become dehydrated much
more easily than adults.
If your child does not
improve after 24 hours
or has any of the above
signs and symptoms along
with diarrhea, call the
doctor. This is
especially important if
your child is 6 months
old or younger.
Return to Top
|
►
|
|
Drink plenty of
fluids in the form
of water,
clear soups, etc to
replace the fluid
and salts that are
lost.
|
|
|
► |
|
You can prepare your
own 'rehydration
fluid' by adding 8
teaspoons of sugar
with 1
teaspoon of salt in
1 litre of water.
|
|
|
► |
|
Vomiting often
accompany diarrhea.
If the person vomits
after drinking,
provide him with
frequent small sips
of water instead.
Alternatively, give
him small chips of
ice to suck.
|
|
|
► |
|
As the person starts
to feel better,
starts with a simple
diet such as barley
water. When
the condition
improved, eat food
that are easily
digested such as
bananas, dry cereal,
boiled potatoes, and
well-cooked
vegetables.
|
|
|
►
|
|
To allow the bowel
to rest and heal:
|
- |
|
Do not force the
person to eat too
much.
|
|
|
- |
|
Avoid coffee, tea,
and alcohol, as they
irritate the
stomach.
|
|
|
- |
|
Eliminate protein
food and fats from
the diet as they are
difficult to digest.
|
|
|
- |
|
Dairy products such
as milk, cream,
butter and eggs
should be avoided
for a few days or
two weeks after the
diarrhea has
resolved.
|
|
|
|
|
► |
|
Anti-diarrheal
medicine:
|
- |
|
Do not take
anti-diarrheal
medicine for the
first 6 hours after
diarrhea begins.
This allows the body
to flush away
foreign substances
and toxins.
|
|
|
- |
|
Oral medicines that
are available
without a doctor's
prescription include
loperamide (Imodium)
or charcoal.
|
|
|
- |
|
Stop taking these medicines if
symptoms get worse
or if diarrhea lasts
more than 2 days.
Consult your doctor.
|
|
|
- |
|
Do not give a child
any medicine to
control diarrhea
except on doctor's
advice.
|
|
|
- |
|
Discontinue as soon
as the diarrhea
stops.
Otherwise the person
may become
constipated.
|
|
|
|
|
► |
|
Consult your doctor if
the person has
chronic diarrhea.
He may require a
special diet
prescription.
|
|
|
► |
|
To prevent the
spread of diarrhea:
1. The person
should wash and dry
his hands thoroughly
after each visit to the toilet.
2.
Disallow the person
to prepare or cook
any food.
|
|
Return to Top
|
Diarrhea Cause
by Impact Stool |
Impaction is the
collection of hardened
stool in the colon or
rectum. It is the
consequence of
untreated
constipation.
Impact stool usually
happens in people who
are immobile (example
bed-ridden) or with
central nervous system
disorder. It is
also common in elderly
due to altered tone and
sensation in bowel as a
result of aging process.
An early sign of
impaction is the
frequent passage of
liquid stool. The
liquid stool flow down from
the higher
portion of the bowel,
passing down around the
blockage formed by
hardened stool, and leak
out from the anus.
Medical attention is
required to treat
impaction. The
usual treatments for
diarrhea in this case is
not appropriate and can
be dangerous
Return to Top