The common condition known as diarrhea is a condition that causes a person to defecate more frequently than normal. It is frequently accompanied by a shift in the consistency of the stools as well as a change in their smell. There is a possibility that diarrhea will cause the body to experience general weakness, fever, chills, and possibly dehydration.

Diarrhea – general characteristics

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under the age of five according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and is responsible for approximately 525,000 deaths each year. Diarrhea can last for several days and can deprive the body of the water and minerals it needs to survive.

In the past, severe dehydration and fluid loss were the leading causes of death from diarrhea for most people. Currently, other causes, such as septic bacterial infections, are likely responsible for the increasing proportion of all diarrhea-related deaths.Children who are malnourished or immunocompromised, as well as people living with HIV, are most at risk of developing life-threatening diarrhea.

Diarrhea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for an individual). The frequent passing of formed stools is not diarrhea, nor is the passing of loose stools by abreastfed infant.

Diarrhea is usually a symptom of agastrointestinalinfection which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene.

Interventions to prevent diarrhea, including access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and hand washing with soap, can reduce the risk of disease.

There are three clinical types of diarrhea:

1. Acute watery diarrhea – lasts several hours or days and includescholera
2. severe bloody diarrhea – also calleddysentery
3. persistent diarrhea – lasts 14 days or more.

Diarrhea-Types

Acute diarrhea is a common problem faced by almost everyone in our lives. Persistent or chronic diarrhea can have a real impact on quality of life, but also on health in general. Therefore, it is important to know how to recognize the different types of diarrhea and take the appropriate measures to treat the symptoms and underlying causes.

Acute diarrhea

Acute diarrhea comes on suddenly. It is often associated with the ingestion of food that contains a bacterium,parasiteor toxin. It is defined as the sudden appearance of 3 or more loose stools a day and lasts no more than 14 days.

To prevent dehydration while diarrhea continues, make sure you use electrolytes.

Persistent diarrhea

This type of diarrhea lasts more than 14 days. In this case, you should consult a doctor to find out the cause and treat it. This diarrhea may be related to afood intoleranceor a disease that affects the way your gut works.

Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is considered to be loose stools that last for at least four weeks. There are many possible causes of chronic diarrhea. In this case, treatment will consist of getting rid of the cause of the diarrhea (if possible) and treating complications to control symptoms. If you have chronic diarrhea, it is important to see your doctor because not only can the symptoms be serious in the long run, but they can also be more serious conditions such asCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitis.

Diarrhea – classification

Diarrhea can also be classified by appearance or color:

1. watery diarrhea: a liquid stool, common in both acute and chronic diarrhea
2. bloody diarrhea: a potentially serious condition where blood mixes with loose, watery stools. Bloody diarrhea can be a signof gastrointestinal bleedingdue to an injury or illness. Small amounts of blood can also be caused by irritation of rectal tissue orhemorrhoids.
3. black diarrhea: may indicate bleeding from a spot near the top of the digestive tract. Other potential causes of black diarrhea include taking iron supplements or bismuth subsalicylate, or consuming blue or black foods or liquids.
4. yellow diarrhea: may indicate an underlyingliveror gallbladder disorder. This is normal in babies
5. green diarrhea: may be seen after eatinggreen leafy vegetablesor foods with artificial green dye. It can also be a normal color in infants and young children.

Osmotic diarrhea – characteristics

Osmotic diarrhea occurs when certain substances remain in the intestine that cannot be absorbed bythe colon wall. These substances cause an excessive amount of water to remain in the stool, leading to diarrhea.

Certain foods (such as certain fruits and beans), and sugar substitutes in dietary foods, sweets, and chewing gum (such as hexitols, sorbitol, and mannitol) can cause osmotic diarrhea.Lactase deficiency can also lead to osmotic diarrhea.

Lactase is an enzyme normally found in the small intestine that converts lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. When lactase deficient people drink milk or eat dairy products, thelactoseis not digested. When lactose builds up in the intestine, it causes osmotic diarrhea – a condition known aslactose intolerance.

The severity of osmotic diarrhea depends on the amount of osmotic substance consumed. The diarrhea stops shortly after the person stops eating or drinking the substance. Blood in the digestive tract also acts as an osmotic agent and causes black tarry stools. Another cause of osmotic diarrhea is an overgrowth of normal gut bacteria or the growth of bacteria not normally found in the gut. Antibiotics can cause osmotic diarrhea by destroying normal gut bacteria.

Secretory diarrhea – characteristics

Secretory diarrhea occurs when the small andlarge intestinesexcrete salts (especially sodium chloride) and water into the stools. Certain toxins – such as a toxin produced by cholera infection or during certain viral infections – can cause these secretions.

Infections by certain bacteria (for exampleCampylobacter) and parasites (for exampleCryptosporidium) can also stimulate secretion. Other substances that cause the excretion of salt and water include certainlaxativessuch as castor oil and bile acids (which can build up after surgery to remove part of the small intestine). Some rare cancers, such as carcinoid tumors, can also cause secretory diarrhea, as can some polyps.

Inflammatory diarrhea – characteristics

Inflammatory diarrhea occurs when the lining of the colon becomes inflamed, ulcerated, or swollen and releases proteins, blood, mucus, and other fluids that increase the volume and fluid content of the stool. This type of diarrhea can be caused by many diseases, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease,tuberculosis, and cancers such aslymphomaand adenocarcinoma.

When the rectal lining is attacked, people often feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement and have frequent bowel movements as rectal inflammation is more sensitive to dilatation (distension) by the stool.

Diarrhea in infants – characteristics

Normal stools in infants can vary in color and consistency. Even newborns have multiple bowel movements each day. So how can you tell if your baby’s bowel movements are normal or if your baby has diarrhea?

Normal poop in babies can appear yellow, brown, brown, or green. It can be fluid, soft, paste-like or more formed. Your baby may have several diapers a day, or just one or two.What you’ll find in your baby’s diaper has a lot to do with the age and diet of your baby.

Newborns can have a bowel movement with every nappy change, while older babies can poop once a day or once every few days.The way your baby is fed also affects his bowel movements.

Diarrhea in infants is:

1. loose, wet, watery,
2. greener or darker than normal
3. unpleasant smell,
4. contains mucus and / or blood.

Malabsorption diarrhea – characteristics

Malabsorption diarrhea is characterized by oil or fat in the stools and an oily rim around the toilet bowl after flushing the stools. Bile salt malabsorption, which may be due to certain disorders, can cause diarrhea by stimulating the secretion of water and electrolytes, and the stools are green or orange in color.

Diarrhea – the most common causes

Diarrhea is a symptom of infections caused by many bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms, most of which are transmitted through faecal contaminated water. Infection is more common when there is a lack of proper sanitation and hygiene, as well as safe water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

RotavirusandEscherichia coliare the two most common etiologies of moderate to severe diarrhea in low-income countries. Other pathogens such asCryptosporidiumandShigellaspecies may also be important in the etiology of diarrhea. Site-specific etiological patterns should also be considered. Here are other causes of diarrhea:

Malnutrition:Children who die of diarrhea often suffer from malnutrition, making them more prone to diarrhea. In turn, each episode of diarrhea makes theirmalnutritionworse . Diarrhea is the leading cause of malnutrition in children under five.

Source of drinking water:Water contaminated with human faeces, for example from sewage, septic tanks, is of particular concern. Animal excrements also contain microorganisms that can cause diarrhea.

Other Causes:Diarrhea can also spread from person to person, made worse by poor personal hygiene. Food is another major cause of diarrhea when prepared or stored under unsanitary conditions. Hazardous domestic water storage and handling is also an important risk factor. Fish andseafoodfrom contaminated water can also contribute to the disease.

Acute diarrhea – causes

Acute diarrhea is often caused by viruses. Rotavirus is the most common in children and norovirus in adults. If you experience severe diarrhea for a short time, it may be due to one of the following problems:

1. virus infection,
2. bacterial infection,
3. parasitic infection,
4. food intolerance,
5. food allergy,
6. food poisoning,
7. adverse drug reaction
8. certain foods (such as milk and artificial sweeteners).

Chronic diarrhea – causes

Chronic diarrhea can be a symptom of a more serious or chronic condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Frequent and severe diarrhea may be a sign of:

1. inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),
2. irritable bowel syndrome(IBS),
3. infections,
4. past radiotherapy,
5. adverse drug reaction
6. diabetes_
7. lactose intolerance or other food intolerances,
8. alcohol abuse,
9. HIV or other immunodeficiency,
10. harmful bacterial overgrowth in the colon caused by the recent use of antibiotics.

In case of disturbing symptoms, it is worth contacting a doctor without delay . The doctor will be able to prescribe the appropriate medications and indicate the further treatment direction.

If you have problems with the digestive tract, perform preventive examinations as soon as possible to help determine their cause. On market place you will find a test package for digestive system diseases in two versions: taking blood for a test at a selected facility or at your own home.

Can antibiotics cause diarrhea?

Most antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin and broad-spectrum antibiotics) can cause diarrhea.Antibiotics can change the balance of bacteria normally found in the gut, allowing certain types of bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, to grow.

Antibiotic-related diarrheacanstart at any time while you’re taking an antibiotic or shortly thereafter. If you experience this side effect, call your doctor to talk about diarrhea and discuss the best option for alleviating this side effect.

Diarrhea – general symptoms

Symptoms you may experience when you have diarrhea can vary depending on whether it is mild or severe and what the cause of the diarrhea is. Severe cases of diarrhea are related to the medical condition that needs to be treated.

When you have diarrhea, you may experience all or a few of these symptoms.The main symptom of diarrhea is loose or watery stools.

Other symptoms of mild diarrhea may include:

1. flatulenceor abdominal cramps.
2. strong and urgent need to have a bowel movement.
3. nausea (upset stomach).

If you have severe diarrhea you may experience symptoms such as:

1. fever,
2. weight loss,
3. dehydration,
4. strong stomach ache,
5. vomiting.

Diarrhea of ​​bacterial origin – Salmonella

Diarrhea of ​​bacterial origin is caused by the presence of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. Salmonella bacteria, which are pathogenic to humans and animals, and are hosted by birds, cattle, horses, rats and mice. It is mainly infants and children who suffer from this type of diarrhea. There are three forms of it:

1. Acute diarrhea –fever, diarrhea with blood in the stools,abdominal pain, vomiting.
2. Septic form – the disease process is also located outside the gastrointestinal tract, so after diarrhea symptoms of arthritis, bone marrow andmeningitismay appear .
3. Typhoid form – occurs very rarely; associated with high fever, rash, enlarged spleen.

For anti-diarrhea, you can drink an infusion of Rose Petals .

Acute infectious diarrhea

Acute diarrhea is an increase in watery stools for up to 10 days. If the symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it is called chronic diarrhea. They are often accompanied by dehydration, weakness and abdominal pain. Considering the causes of acute infectious diarrhea, we can divide them into:

1. diarrhea of ​​bacterial origin,
2. viral diarrhea,
3. diarrhea of ​​parasitic origin,
4. diarrhea in traveling children,
5. bacterial food poisoning.

Treatment of bacterial diarrhea

Consult your doctor about the treatment of bacterial diarrhea. It may be associated with the use of an antibiotic, but most of all it consists in taking probiotics that restore the proper bacterial flora in the intestines, You can also drink herbal teas, e.g. from blueberry fruit , which supports digestive processes, alleviates the symptoms of food poisoning and has a beneficial effect on the body during diarrhea.

Diarrhea of ​​bacterial origin from the Shigella group

Diarrhea of ​​bacterial origin is also caused by bacteria from the Shigella group – the pathogen is dysentery, which is found only in humans. The bacterium is particularly troublesome because it causes seizures, delirium, headaches, loss of appetite.

Diarrhea symptoms

The onset of this type of diarrhea is sudden, but may be preceded by fever,convulsionsand even loss of consciousness. Your bowel movements are initially profuse and watery (disease of the small intestine), then scanty, containing mucus and blood. During this period, bowel movements are accompanied by cramping abdominal pain with a painful urge to stool (colorectal disease) and a sudden need to pass the stool – watery or bloody.

Complications after diarrhea

Diarrhea caused by Shigella bacteria can lead to complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, reactive arthritis, urethra, conjunctiva and iris.

Diarrhea – treatment

Treat diarrhea with fluids, antibacterial medications, and diet. They are often conducted in a hospital. Instead of treating diarrhea, it’s important to remember about prevention: wash your hands and take care of personal hygiene.

If you have frequent diarrhea problems, be sure to get your gut health checked . Laboratory analysis of blood in this direction will detect ulcerative colitis, among others, as well as other diseases of the digestive system.

Tests carried out in the diagnosis of diarrhea

1. Subject examination:is an interview with the patient, during which the doctor obtains data on diarrhea, previously performed procedures or the presence of the disease in the family. The specialist also asks about the appearance of the stool.

2. Physical examination:During this examination, the doctor assesses the patient’slymph nodes, spleen and liver, and whether there are any changes around the anus. For example, if there is a fissure or abrasion around the anus. The patient’s skin is also carefully analyzed, as any blemishes and swellings suggest what may be the cause of chronic diarrhea.

3. The laboratory testincludes:

1. stool analysis under a microscope to check the presence of parasites, eggs, cysts or electrolytes in the stool;
2. blood test –blood countwith serological test for celiac disease, leukocytes, concentration of urea and electrolytes, and gasometry;
3. stool culture to distinguish between bacterial and viral factors that cause diarrhea.

4. Specialist examinationincludescolonoscopyor gastroscopy of the gastrointestinal tract. The doctor may take the altered areas for histological examination. X-ray or ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging can also be performed in order to identify possible anatomical abnormalities.

Can you prevent diarrhea?

There are several ways you can reduce the likelihood of developing diarrhea, including:

1. avoid infection with good hygiene habits: washing your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, as well as cooking, handling and eating are important ways to prevent diarrhea. Thorough hand washing can really help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
2. vaccination:rotavirus, one of the causes of diarrhea, can be prevented with the rotavirus vaccine. It is given to infants in several stages during the first year of life.
3. proper foodstorage: by storing food at the right temperature, not eating spoiled things, cooking food to the recommended temperature, and handling all food safely, you can prevent diarrhea.
4. Watch what you drink while traveling:Travelers’ diarrhea can occur when you drink water or other drinks that have not been properly prepared. This is most likely in developing countries. To avoid diarrhea, there are a few tips that you should follow. Be careful what you drink. Don’t drink tap water, don’t use ice cubes, don’t brush your teeth with tap water, don’t eat unpasteurized milk, dairy products, or unpasteurized juices. You should also be careful when trying local food from street vendors, eating raw or undercooked meat (and shellfish) as well as raw fruit and vegetables. When in doubt, drink bottled water or whatever was cooked first (coffee or tea).

Treatment of diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a very dangerous disease that can even be life-threatening. Diarrhea often causes dehydration of patients, so they should be given as much fluids as possible – containing sodium, potassium, chlorine. Dehydration is especially serious in young children.Medicinal charcoalis often used to treat diarrhea , which binds toxins and bacteria together and causes water to enter the intestine and cause diarrhea.

Doctors usually recommend that the patient be hydrated and that electrolytes are taken to treat acute diarrhea. Diarrhea is not always a reason to see a doctor, but it is necessary when you experience: high fever, fainting, blood or mucus in the stool, problems with urination, and when diarrhea lasts more than 10 days and is very profuse.

Note: if ignored or treated poorly, diarrhea can even lead to death, so it should never be taken lightly.

Proper supplementation with probiotics can also help with problems related to the digestive system .