Diarrhea is an illness which is diagnosed and treated by the GI Division of Premier Medical Group.
Diarrhea is an illness which is diagnosed and treated by the GI Division of Premier Medical Group.
Diarrhea is defined as loose watery stools, occurring three or more times per day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts one or two days and goes away on its own, but if the diarrhea lasts more than two days, it could be a sign of something more serious. Chronic diarrhea may be recurrent (it may come and go).
Diarrhea is the second most reported illness in the United States. Adults report at least one bout of diarrhea per year while children report at least two bouts. It’s inconvenient and unpleasant, but usually goes away on its own. Diarrhea of any length may cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes.
Everyday things such as food, medication, or stress can cause diarrhea. If you learn what your triggers are for diarrhea, that’s half the battle. Nonetheless, chronic diarrhea can be an indication of an underlying medical condition.
The most common cause of diarrhea is eating food that has spoiled, mainly because it was not refrigerated well enough or went bad before the patient ate it.
To avoid bacteria-related diarrhea, cook meat, poultry, and eggs completely. Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces. Refrigerate leftovers quickly; don’t leave them at room temperature longer than necessary. When dining out, make sure to check online for health department ratings.
Other causes are food intolerance, medications, and stress. These can all lead to diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea could be a sign of something more serious, so it’s important to be seen by your health care provider.
Bacteria are part of everyday life; we have good bacteria and we have bad bacteria. Usually bacteria and humans get along well, but there are some bacteria that wreak havoc on your digestive tract.
Other causes of diarrhea are:
The most common symptoms of diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, and urgency to go to the bathroom. Some people have a loss of bowel control. If the diarrhea is caused by an infection, it may also cause a fever, chills, or bloody stools.
Diarrhea can also cause dehydration, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes. This is especially dangerous in older adults, children, and people with compromised immune systems. It can lead to more serious health problems such as shock, coma, or organ damage.
The most typical signs of dehydration in adults are:
The most typical signs of dehydration in young children and infants are:
If you show any of these symptoms, and have reason to suspect you are dehydrated, you should see your doctor immediately. Drinking fluids is essential when you have diarrhea, but water alone does not replace essential electrolytes. Suggested beverages include: fruit juices, sports drinks, caffeine-free soft drinks, and broths. For children, the doctor recommended fluids to prevent dehydration are products such as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte.
Typically, acute diarrhea goes away in two to three days, but if it lasts longer than three days and is accompanied by symptoms such as fever and/or bloody stools, your doctor may want perform some diagnostic tests to rule out something more serious.
Diagnostic tests may include:
There are five different types of diarrhea:
The most important part of treating diarrhea is to avoid getting dehydrated. It’s important to replace fluids and loss of electrolytes. Some non-prescription medicines used for the treatment of diarrhea include Imodium (loperamide), Kaopectate, and Pepto-Bismol. If the diarrhea lasts longer than three days, and there are bloody stools, it’s recommended that you see your doctor. He or she may need to prescribe antibiotics, but antibiotics can only help a bacterial infection, not viral diarrhea. You should not use these over-the-counter medications for infants or children without the advice of your pediatrician.
Drinking fluids that contain sugar, sodium, and potassium is crucial to keep from getting dehydrated. Examples of such drinks include sports drinks, prepared rehydration solutions, chicken or beef broth, colas, or bottled and flavored mineral water.
If you are also vomiting, take very small quantities of liquid every 15 minutes. When you are able to hold down liquids, eat soft, bland foods before resuming your regular diet.
There are some doctors who prefer that you do not use the over-the-counter medicines, because it slows the process of passing the bacteria or virus out of your system. As with anything that compromises your health, you should always check with your doctor before taking any medicines, including over-the-counter ones.
Yes, stress can cause diarrhea, but if the diarrhea continues, it’s important to see your doctor to make certain it’s not from something more serious.
The more information you can provide the doctor, the easier it will be to get an accurate diagnosis. Make sure to write down:
Adults should see a doctor if they have any of the following symptoms:
Experts suggest that probiotics can reduce the duration of infectious diarrhea by half a day to about two days. Probiotics, which consist of beneficial microbes, may help treat some kinds of diarrhea. The most well-known form of probiotics is yogurt. Bacteria introduced into milk creates yogurt. The same bacteria may help keep intestines healthy. There are many forms of bacteria that have health benefits, but only certain strains help diarrhea. Check with your doctor for suggestions on which type of probiotics may be best for you.