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Diarrhea Treatment
DIARRHEA TREATMENT
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is characterized by very loose bowel movements that may resemble water. People with diarrhea may need to use the bathroom more frequently and urgently than usual.
Diarrhea is classified as either acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea typically lasts for a day to a week and may indicate a short-lasting bacterial or viral infection or food poisoning. In contrast, chronic diarrhea lasts for at least four weeks and is usually linked to an underlying cause.
What Are The Common Symptoms?
Individuals with diarrhea may find it challenging to continue with their daily routines due to the frequency and urgency of bowel movements. These may be accompanied by abdominal cramps or discomfort.
In some cases, people may feel gassy, bloated, or nauseated, along with having loose stools. Some may notice mucus or blood in their stools, which could indicate a more severe problem. Over time, persistent diarrhea could lead to uncomfortable skin breakdown around the anus and dehydration.
Causes and Risk Factors
Acute diarrhea is most frequently caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Common causes for diarrhea in children and adults include rotavirus, cytomegalovirus, Clostridium difficile, and the Norwalk virus. Traveler’s diarrhea can occur in people visiting developing countries if they consume untreated water containing parasites.
However, diarrhea may also have various other causes, such as:
- Lactose intolerance
- Artificial sweeteners
- Antibiotics
- Antacids
- Cancer drugs
- Gallbladder surgery
- Inflammatory bowel disorder, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
Diagnosis of Severe Diarrhea
Diagnosis for acute cases of diarrhea often involves a medical history and physical assessment. In more severe cases, a physician may order a blood test, stool sample, or colonoscopy. These tests can reveal if food allergies, bacteria, parasites, or structural abnormalities in the colon could be responsible.
How is Diarrhea Treated?
Individuals experiencing diarrhea lasting more than a week, blood in their stools, dehydration, unexpected weight loss, or a very high fever alongside diarrhea should seek medical help. Dehydration can be treated with electrolyte-replacing beverages or an intravenous drip in more severe cases. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections or other medications to manage short-term diarrhea.
The most crucial aspect of treatment is addressing the underlying cause of diarrhea. For instance, diagnosing and treating an inflammatory bowel disease can help manage symptoms, including diarrhea. Medications may need to be adjusted, or foods may need to be eliminated from the diet to effectively control chronic diarrhea.