What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. A person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day. People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems. See Dehydration.
People of all ages can get diarrhea and the average adult has a bout of acute diarrhea about four times a year. In the United States, each child will have had seven to 15 episodes of diarrhea by age 5.
Causes of Diarrhea
Normally, the food you eat remains in liquid form during most of the digestive process. When the unabsorbed food residue passes through your colon, most of the fluids are absorbed and what remains is a semisolid stool.
In diarrhea, the food and fluids you ingest pass too quickly or in too large an amount — or both — through your colon. The fluids aren't sufficiently absorbed, and the result is a watery bowel movement. In addition, the lining of your colon may be inflamed or diseased, making it less able to absorb fluids.
The most common causes of diarrhea include:
1-Viruses. Common viruses that cause diarrhea are Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, viral hepatitis and the herpes simplex virus. Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute childhood diarrhea. Viral diarrhea spreads easily.
2-Bacteria and parasites. Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to your body. Parasites such as Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea. Common bacterial causes of diarrhea include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella and Escherichia coli. Diarrhea caused by bacteria and parasites can be common when traveling in developing countries, and is often called traveler's diarrhea.
3-Medications. Many medications can cause diarrhea. The most common are antibiotics. Antibiotics destroy both good and bad bacteria, which can disturb the natural balance of bacteria in your intestines. This disturbance sometimes leads to an infection with bacteria called Clostridium difficile, which can also cause diarrhea.
Other causes
1-Lactose. A sugar found in milk and milk products, lactose is a common cause of diarrhea in some people.
2- Fructose. Fructose, a sugar found in many fruits, is a common cause of diarrhea, especially in children.
3- Artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol and mannitol, artificial sweeteners found in chewing gum and other sugar-free products, can cause diarrhea in some otherwise healthy people.
4- Surgery. Some people may experience diarrhea after undergoing abdominal surgery or gallbladder removal surgery.
5- Other digestive disorders. Chronic diarrhea has a number of other causes, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
How Is Diarrhea Treated?
1. Change What You Eat: Some foods can cause diarrhea, and others can help stop it.
Don't eat:
- dairy products (milk or cheeses)
- greasy or fried food
- fatty foods including butter, margarine, oils, or nuts
- spicy foods
- foods high in "insoluble" fiber. This includes raw fruits or vegetables, whole wheat bread, corn, or any fruit or vegetable skins or seeds.
Do eat:
- bananas
- plain white rice
- applesauce
- cream of wheat or farina cereal
- toasted white bread or plain crackers
- plain macaroni or noodles
- boiled eggs
- oatmeal
- mashed potatoes
- yogurt (This is a dairy product, but it's partially "digested" by the bacteria used to make it.)
2. Drug Treatments: Different medications are used to treat different types of diarrhea. Your health care provider will not be able to prescribe a medication without some idea of what is causing your diarrhea.
You do not need a prescription for over-the-counter treatments. Some of these work very well for diarrhea, including:
- The amino acid L-glutamine
- Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth subsalicylate)
- Kaopectate (attapulgite)
- Imodium AD (loperamide)
Some other products that are usually sold to treat constipation can also help with diarrhea. These products contain "soluble" fiber that adds bulk and absorbs water. This includes products like Metamucil, Citrucel, or other products that contain psyllium.
3. Alternative Therapies for Diarrhea: Acidophilus capsules (which contain helpful bacteria) can help restore normal digestion, especially when you are taking antibiotics. Some types of yogurt contain "live cultures" of acidophilus that work the same way.
Peppermint, ginger and nutmeg are believed to help with digestive problems. Peppermint or ginger tea or ginger ale would be good choices for "clear liquids." Try adding nutmeg to your food or drinks.
Studies have shown that calcium supplements helped relieve diarrhea in people taking nelfinavir (Viracept). This might work for diarrhea caused by other medications.