Loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than usual.
Diarrhea occurs when your stools become loose or watery. The definition of diarrhea is when the stool is passed through a loose or watery stool three or more times a day (or more often than usual).
Diarrhea occurs when the lining of the intestine cannot absorb fluid or is actively secreting fluid. There are many causes, including infection and inflammation.
Many cases of diarrhea resolve on their own and do not require special treatment. However, in all cases of diarrhea, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
Symptoms of diarrhea
In addition to frequent, watery stools, the stool may contain mucus, pus, blood, or excessive amounts of fat.
Diarrhea can be accompanied by:
painful abdominal cramps;
Nausea;
Fever;
Flatulence; and
general weakness.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, especially in young children and the elderly. Symptoms of dehydration in adults can include:
The thirst;
Lack of energy;
urinating less than normal;
Dizziness or lightheadedness; and
The skin on the back of your hand is slow to return to its position after being pushed up.
Symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration in children can include:
dry mouth;
urinating less than usual (often noticed as less moist diapers in babies and toddlers);
Irritability;
Apathy; and
less tears when crying.
Signs of severe dehydration in children include sunken eyes, cheeks, or abdomen, or a sunken fontanel (the weak spot on the top of the head in babies and toddlers).
People with diarrhea, especially the very young and the very old, are at risk of becoming dehydrated quickly. It requires immediate medical attention.
causes
Diarrhea can have many different causes, including the following.
Infection (by a virus, bacteria or parasite). Infectious diarrhea is most often caused by viruses passed from person to person or by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with viruses, bacteria such as salmonella or parasites such as Cryptosporidium.
A change of regime.
Food intolerance (eg lactose intolerance). Some people get diarrhea after eating foods that contain fructose (a type of sugar) or artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol.
Drink excess alcohol.
Bowel disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Malabsorption (eg due to problems with the pancreas).
Surgery (for example, when part of the intestine has been removed).
Some medicines can cause diarrhea as a side effect. Antibiotics are a common example. They can upset the balance of bacteria in your intestines, which can lead to diarrhea. Other examples of drugs that can cause diarrhea include certain antacids and diabetes pills.
Diarrhea in very young children is often caused by viral infections. Rotavirus infections were a common cause, but this risk is reduced by the rotavirus vaccine, which can prevent gastroenteritis (or the risk of severe gastroenteritis) caused by a rotavirus infection. Many other viruses still frequently cause diarrhea in infants and young children.
When should you see your doctor about diarrhea?
Most people have had an episode of diarrhea at some point in their life. Usually this resolves after a few days.
You should see a doctor if:
A child or an elderly person has severe diarrhea because they can become dehydrated quickly.
Diarrhea lasts more than 5 days in an otherwise healthy adult.
Your diarrhea has not improved with personal care.
There is bright red blood in the stool, or the stool is dark and tarry.
You have diarrhea that contains phlegm.
The feces are high in fat, which can be considered pale, greasy, foul-smelling, and difficult to rinse off stools.
Symptoms include fever, rash or stomach cramps, or generally feeling unwell.
You have vomiting, weakness and dizziness.
You have a weight loss link.
You have symptoms of dehydration (thirst, lack of energy, inferior urine than normal, dizziness, or skin on the back of your hand that slowly returns to position after being pinched).
Constipation alternates with diarrhea.
Diarrhea
Self-treatment
Replacing lost fluids with oral rehydration solution (ORS) can help prevent dehydration. Antidiarrhoeal drugs like loperamide can also help.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE
Seek immediate medical attention if your infant or child:
Have not had a wet diaper for three hours or more
Has a fever of 38.9 ° C or higher
Passes bloody or black stools
Does not improve after 24 hours
Becomes listless or unresponsive
Develops a dry mouth or cries without tears
Has a deep gaze on the eyes, cheeks or stomach
Make an appointment with the doctor if you:
You have diarrhea that does not get better in two days
Passing bloody or black stools
Urinate very little or have very dry mouth and skin
Develop a fever above 38.9 ° C
Experience with abdominal or rectal pain