Diarrhea - Why It Happens and How to Treat It

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition when one has loose, watery stools or a frequent need to quickly run to the bathroom with urgency and this may happen more frequently than normal. It normally lasts 2 to 3 days and often disappears without any treatment. However, when diarrhea lasts for weeks, it usually indicates that there's another problem. If a person frequently passes stools but they are of a normal consistency, this is not diarrhea. Similarly, breastfed babies often pass loose, sticky stools. This is normal. Diarrhea can be acute or chronic.

Acute diarrhea occurs when the condition lasts for one to two days. One might experience diarrhea as a result of a viral or bacterial infection. Other times, it could be due to food poisoning. Acute diarrhea is fairly common.

Chronic diarrhea refers to diarrhea that lasts for at least four weeks. It’s usually the result of an intestinal disease or disorder, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease. Chronic diarrhea symptoms may be continual, or they may come and go.

There is also a condition known as traveler’s diarrhea, which happens when you have diarrhea after being exposed to bacteria or parasites while on vacation particularly in countries with poor standards of public hygiene.  In case one is getting diarrhea more often, this could be due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

 

Globally, an estimated 2 billion cases of diarrheal disease occur each year. Also, around 1.9 million children under the age of 5 years — mostly in developing countries — die from diarrhea every year. This makes it the second leading cause of death in this age group.

Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:

• Loose, watery stools
• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Blood in the stool
• Mucus in the stool
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement

What causes diarrhea?

There are many different causes of diarrhea, but a bowel infection (gastroenteritis) is a common cause in both adults and children. Gastroenteritis can be caused by:

• a virus – such as norovirus or rotavirus
• bacteria – such as campylobacter and Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are often picked up from contaminated food 
• a parasite – such as the parasite that causes giardiasis, which is spread in contaminated water

Other causes include;

• Alcohol abuse
• Anxiety
• Infectious diseases: A few infectious diseases can cause chronic diarrhea, for example, Giardia lamblia. Patients with AIDS often have chronic infections of their intestines that cause diarrhea.

• Allergies to certain foods. For example foods containing Lactose yet you are Lactose intolerant. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. People who have difficulty digesting lactose have diarrhea after eating dairy products. Lactose intolerance can increase with age because levels of the enzyme that helps digest lactose drop after childhood.

• Diabetes
• Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Eating foods that upset the digestive system
• Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) or other organisms
• Laxative abuse

• Medications. Many medications, such as antibiotics, can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics destroy both good and bad bacteria, which can disturb the natural balance of bacteria in your intestines. Other drugs that cause diarrhea are cancer drugs and antacids with magnesium.
• Endocrine diseases: Several endocrine diseases (imbalances of hormones) may cause diarrhea, for example, an over-active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) and an under-active pituitary or adrenal gland (Addison's disease).

• Radiation therapy
• Running (Some people get “runner’s diarrhea” for reasons that aren’t clear.)
• Some cancers. For example; Colon cancer: Colon cancer can cause either diarrhea or constipation. If the cancer blocks the passage of stool, it usually causes constipation. Sometimes, however, there is secretion of water behind the blockage, and liquid stool from behind the blockage leaks around the cancer and results in diarrhea. Cancer, particularly in the distal part of the colon, can lead to thin stools. The diarrhea or constipation caused by cancer usually is progressive, that is, becomes progressively worse. Cancer in the rectum can lead to a sense of incomplete evacuation.
• Surgery on your digestive system. For example, Abdominal or gallbladder removal surgeries can sometimes cause diarrhea.
• Trouble absorbing certain nutrients, also called “malabsorption”

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome.

Complications of diarrhea

Diarrhea can lead to serious complications such as the following;

·         Dehydration. This is when your body loses large amounts of water. Dehydration can be life-threatening if untreated. It’s particularly dangerous in children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. It’s therefore important to seek medical help when you have signs of dehydration.

·         Electrolyte imbalance. This is when there is loss of sodium, potassium and magnesium that play a key role in vital bodily functions

·         Kidney failure. When inadequate blood/fluid is supplied to the kidneys.

How is the cause of diarrhea diagnosed?

The doctor can determine the best method for diagnosis basing on your medical history. The following are some of the ways that can be used;

·         Laboratory tests to examine urine and blood samples.

·         Fasting tests to determine whether a food intolerance or allergy is the cause

·         Imaging tests to check for inflammation and structural abnormalities of the intestine

·         A stool culture to check for bacteria, parasites, or signs of disease

·         A colonoscopy to check the entire colon for signs of intestinal disease

·         A sigmoidoscopy to check the rectum and lower colon for signs of intestinal disease

A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is especially helpful for determining if you have an intestinal disease if you have severe or chronic diarrhea.

What are thetreatment options for diarrhea?

• Re hydration of  the body through drinking more clear liquids, such as electrolyte drinks, water, or fruit juice without added sugar
• After each loose stool, replacing lost fluids with at least 1 cup of liquid
• Doing most of the drinking between, not during, meals
• Consuming high potassium foods and liquids, such as diluted fruit juices, potatoes without the skin, and bananas
• Consuming high sodium foods and liquids, such as broths, soups, sports drinks, and salted crackers
• Eating foods high in soluble fiber, such as banana, oatmeal, and rice, as these help thicken the stool
• Limiting foods that may make diarrhea worse, such as creamy, fried, high dairy, and sugary foods
• Intravenous therapy can be used if the case is very serious.
• If a bacterial infection is the cause of your diarrhea, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Prevention

• Diarrhea can be prevented by doing the following;
• Drinking clean and safe water only
• Having good sanitation systems, such as wastewater and sewage
• Having good hygiene practices, such as regularly washing the hands with soap, especially before preparing food and eating and after using the bathroom
• Educating oneself on the spread of infection
• Vaccination to prevent viral diarrhea
• Watching out what you eat. Be aware of which food you’re allergic to, check if the food is hot, well cooked food.

Drop your comment below in the comment box, you can also mention the topic that you would like us to address next time.

To learn more;

https://medlineplus.gov/diarrhea.html

https://www.medicinenet.com/diarrhea/article.htm

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4108-diarrhea

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/diarrhoea