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Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common problem that we all suffer from occasionally. Fortunately,
it is usually a limited episode that resolves quickly. When it doesn't,
there can be cause for concern. This booklet will outline the various
causes for diarrhea, and warning signs to look for when it occurs.
The word diarrhea means different things to different people. Some patients
who regularly experience bowel movements every three days think they have
diarrhea if they begin going everyday. Complaints of diarrhea should be
compared to what is normal for each individual patient. Typically, diarrhea
is thought to be loose, unformed or watery stools that come more often
than normal. It is often accompanied by abdominal cramps, and less warning
when it is time to go.
Causes of Diarrhea
As was already mentioned, most of us will get diarrhea occasionally.
Most of the time it is related to a viral illness, and will go away in
a few days. Bacterial infections like food poisoning can also cause diarrhea
which can be accompanied by rectal bleeding. This is a more serious situation,
and you should call your doctor. Other more serious causes of diarrhea
include inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease,
or diverticulitis.
More common causes include irritable bowel syndrome, which is usually
accompanied by constipation alternating with the diarrhea. Another common
cause is lactose intolerance, which makes a person unable to digest milk
products.
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Things to Do
During a minor episode of diarrhea, simply forcing fluids and rest is
enough. Fluids should be limited to water, fruit juices, non-caffeinated
beverages and salt containing liquids such as broth and sport drinks like
Gatorade or All Sport. Avoid all caffeinated beverages. Those people with
a history of irritable bowel syndrome should make sure they are getting
enough fiber and water in their diet. They should also make sure they
are using any medicines their doctor has given them according to the prescription.
If the diarrhea persists, over the counter medicines like Immodium AD
should not be used without the advice of your doctor. If a serious condition
exists, use of those medicines can actually make the problem worse.
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Warning Signs
Things to watch for during an episode of diarrhea include:
- bleeding with the stool
- high fever
- severe abdominal pain
- dehydration
If a person can not drink enough to keep up with the fluid lost through
bowel movements, they need to be in the hospital. If any of these warning
signs occur, please call your doctor right away.
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