What is diarrhea? How can you relieve diarrhea symptoms? What foods should you eat and avoid when experiencing diarrhea? When should you call a doctor for diarrhea?

Understanding Diarrhea: Causes and Symptoms

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stool, which can be a common and often mild condition. It can result from various causes, including the stomach flu, medical treatments like antibiotics, and certain health conditions. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and unwanted weight loss if it persists. The main symptoms of diarrhea include frequent bowel movements, abdominal cramps, and a sense of urgency to use the restroom.

Relieving Diarrhea Symptoms: Hydration and Dietary Modifications

To alleviate diarrhea symptoms, it’s crucial to stay hydrated by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids, such as water, every day. It’s also recommended to consume at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid for each loose bowel movement. Additionally, eating small meals throughout the day, rather than three large ones, can help manage the condition.

Certain foods can be beneficial when dealing with diarrhea. These include salty snacks like pretzels, soups, and sports drinks, as well as high-potassium foods such as bananas, potatoes without the skin, and fruit juices. Your healthcare provider may also recommend taking a fiber supplement or a medication specifically for diarrhea relief.

Dietary Considerations: Foods to Eat and Avoid

When experiencing diarrhea, it’s best to focus on consuming easily digestible, low-fiber foods. This includes baked or broiled lean proteins like beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey, as well as cooked eggs. Low-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can also be included, but you may need to avoid them if they exacerbate your symptoms.

You should also stick to refined, white-flour-based breads, pastas, rice, and cereals like cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, and cornflakes. Certain cooked vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, acorn squash, and peeled zucchini, can be tolerated as well.

Conversely, you should avoid fried and greasy foods, as well as fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, like broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn. Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks should also be limited or eliminated.

Preventing Dehydration: Monitoring Fluid Intake and Electrolyte Balance

Diarrhea can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss, which can result in dehydration. It’s crucial to monitor your fluid intake and replenish lost electrolytes. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a multivitamin or drinking sports drinks to help maintain a proper electrolyte balance.

If you are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what you are losing through diarrhea, or if you are experiencing severe symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention to prevent complications like dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

When to Seek Medical Attention

In most cases, diarrhea is mild and resolves within a few days. However, there are certain situations where you should contact your healthcare provider, such as if the diarrhea worsens or does not improve within 2 days for an infant or child, or 5 days for an adult. Other signs that warrant medical attention include stools with an unusual odor or color, nausea or vomiting, blood or mucus in the stool, a fever that does not go away, and persistent abdominal pain.

Managing Diarrhea in Children

Diarrhea can be especially concerning in young children, as they are more prone to dehydration. Parents should closely monitor their child’s symptoms, fluid intake, and overall well-being. If the child is experiencing constant belly pain, appears to be very sick, or is having trouble replacing lost fluids, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.

Preventing Recurrence: Identifying and Addressing the Underlying Cause

To prevent future episodes of diarrhea, it’s crucial to identify and address the underlying cause. This may involve working with your healthcare provider to determine if the diarrhea is related to a specific medication, a gastrointestinal condition, or an infectious agent. Proper treatment and management of the underlying issue can help reduce the risk of recurrent diarrhea episodes.

In conclusion, diarrhea is a common and often mild condition that can be effectively managed through proper hydration, dietary modifications, and, in some cases, medical intervention. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and appropriate treatment strategies, individuals can take steps to alleviate their discomfort and prevent potential complications.

When you have diarrhea | UF Health, University of Florida Health

Description

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stool. For some, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last longer. It can make you lose too much fluid (dehydrated) and feel weak. It can also lead to unhealthy weight loss.

The stomach flu is a common cause of diarrhea. Medical treatments, such as antibiotics and some cancer treatments can also cause diarrhea.

Video: Diarrhea

Test Your Knowledge About Diarrhea in Kids

Alternative Names

Diarrhea – self-care; Diarrhea – gastroenteritis

How to Relieve Diarrhea

These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea:

• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best.
• Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement.
• Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 big meals.
• Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks.
• Eat some high potassium foods, such as bananas, potatoes without the skin, and fruit juices.

Ask your health care provider if you should take a multivitamin or drink sports drinks to boost your nutrition. Also ask about taking a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil, to add bulk to your stools.

Your provider may also recommend a special medicine for diarrhea. Take this medicine as you have been told to take it.

Eating When you Have Diarrhea

You can bake or broil beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey. Cooked eggs are also OK. Use low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt.

If you have very severe diarrhea, you may need to stop eating or drinking dairy products for a few days.

Eat bread products made from refined, white flour. Pasta, white rice, and cereals such as cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, and cornflakes are OK. You may also try pancakes and waffles made with white flour, and cornbread. But don’t add too much honey or syrup.

You should eat vegetables, including carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, acorn squash, and peeled zucchini. Cook them first. Baked potatoes are OK. In general, removing seeds and skins is best.

You can include desserts and snacks such as fruit-flavored gelatin, fruit-flavored ice pops, cakes, cookies, or sherbet.

Things you Should Avoid Eating or Drinking

You should avoid certain kinds of foods when you have diarrhea, including fried foods and greasy foods.

Avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.

Limit or cut out milk and other dairy products if they are making your diarrhea worse or causing gas and bloating.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider if you have:

• The diarrhea gets worse or does not get better in 2 days for an infant or child, or 5 days for adults
• Stools with an unusual odor or color
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blood or mucus in your stool
• A fever that does not go away
• Stomach pain

References

Bartelt LA, Guerrant RL. Diarrhea with little or no fever. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 98.

Shiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 16.

Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger

How old are you?

Less than 3 months

Less than 3 months

3 to 5 months

3 to 5 months

6 months to 3 years

6 months to 3 years

4 to 11 years

4 to 11 years

12 years or older

12 years or older

Are you male or female?

Why do we ask this question?

The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.

• If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
• If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
• If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as “male” and once as “female”). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.

Is your child having belly pain that does not go away after he or she passes stools?

With diarrhea, it’s normal to have cramping pain that goes away after the child passes stools. But if the pain is constant, there may be another problem.

Does your baby seem sick?

A sick baby probably will not be acting normally. For example, the baby may be much fussier than usual or not want to eat.

How sick do you think your baby is?

Extremely sick

Baby is very sick (limp and not responsive)

Sick

Baby is sick (sleepier than usual, not eating or drinking like usual)

Is your child having trouble drinking enough to replace the fluids he or she has lost?

Little sips of fluid usually are not enough. The child needs to be able to take in and keep down plenty of fluids.

Yes

Unable to drink enough fluids

No

Able to drink enough fluids

How much blood is there?

More than a few drops. Blood is mixed in with the stool, not just on the surface.

More than a few drops of blood on stool or diaper

A few drops on the stool or diaper

A few drops of blood in stool or diaper

Do you think your baby has a fever?

Did you take your child’s temperature?

This is the only way to be sure that a baby this age does not have a fever. If you don’t know the temperature, it’s safest to assume the baby has a fever and needs to be seen by a doctor. Any problem that causes a fever at this age could be serious. Rectal temperatures are the most accurate. Taking an axillary (armpit) temperature is also an option.

Is it 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, taken rectally?

This would be an axillary temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F) or higher.

Yes

Temperature at least 38°C (100.4°F) taken rectally

No

Temperature at least 38°C (100.4°F) taken rectally

Do you think your child has a fever?

Did you take your child’s temperature?

How high is the fever? The answer may depend on how you took the temperature.

High: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral

High fever: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral

Moderate: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral

Moderate fever: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral

Mild: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral

Mild fever: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral

How high do you think the fever is?

Moderate

Feels fever is moderate

Mild or low

Feels fever is mild

How long has your child had a fever?

Less than 2 days (48 hours)

Fever for less than 2 days

From 2 days to less than 1 week

Fever for more than 2 days and less than 1 week

1 week or longer

Fever for 1 week or more

Does your child have a health problem or take medicine that weakens his or her immune system?

Yes

Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems

No

Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems

Does your child have shaking chills or very heavy sweating?

Shaking chills are a severe, intense form of shivering. Heavy sweating means that sweat is pouring off the child or soaking through his or her clothes.

Yes

Shaking chills or heavy sweating

No

Shaking chills or heavy sweating

Does the fever come and go?

Has your child travelled to another country in the past 6 weeks?

Has your baby had large stools every 1 to 2 hours for longer than 4 hours?

Yes

Large stools every 1 to 2 hours for more than 4 hours

No

Large stools every 1 to 2 hours for more than 4 hours

Has your baby had large stools every 1 to 2 hours for more than 8 hours?

Yes

Large stools every 1 to 2 hours for more than 8 hours

No

Large stools every 1 to 2 hours for more than 8 hours

Has your child had 6 or more large, loose stools in 12 hours?

Yes

6 or more large, loose stools in 12 hours

No

6 or more large, loose stools in 12 hours

Does your child have diabetes?

Is your child’s diabetes getting out of control because your child is sick?

Yes

Diabetes is affected by illness

No

Diabetes is affected by illness

Is the plan helping get your child’s blood sugar under control?

Yes

Diabetes illness plan working

No

Diabetes illness plan not working

How fast is it getting out of control?

Quickly (over several hours)

Blood sugar quickly worsening

Slowly (over days)

Blood sugar slowly worsening

Does the diarrhea come and go?

Is your child having diarrhea more often?

Yes

More frequent diarrhea episodes

No

More frequent diarrhea episodes

Has your child had diarrhea off and on for more than 1 month?

Yes

Diarrhea off and on for more than 1 month

No

Diarrhea off and on for more than 1 month

Do you think that a medicine could be causing the diarrhea?

Think about whether the diarrhea started after your child began taking a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.

Yes

Medicine may be causing diarrhea

No

Medicine may be causing diarrhea

Has your child been taking antibiotics in the past 2 weeks?

Many antibiotics can cause diarrhea.

Yes

Antibiotic in the past 2 weeks

No

Antibiotic in the past 2 weeks

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

• Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
• Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
• Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
• Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
• Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

• Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
• Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in children are:

• Diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and congenital heart disease.
• Steroid medicines, which are used to treat a variety of conditions.
• Medicines taken after organ transplant.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
• Not having a spleen.

What you are looking for is a change in your child’s usual bowel habits.

• Diarrhea means that the child is having more stools and looser ones than usual.
• Constipation means that the child is having fewer stools than usual.

Every baby and child has different bowel habits. What is “normal” for one child may not be normal for another. For example:

• Many newborns have at least 1 or 2 bowel movements a day. By the end of their first week, they may have as many as 5 to 10 bowel movements a day. They may pass a stool after each feeding.
• By 6 weeks of age, your baby may not have a bowel movement every day. This usually isn’t a problem as long as the baby seems comfortable and is growing as expected, and as long as the stools aren’t hard.
• By about 4 years of age, it’s normal for a child to have as many as 3 bowel movements a day or as few as 3 a week.

Anywhere in these ranges can be considered normal if the habit is normal or usual for your child.

Babies can quickly get dehydrated when they lose fluids because of problems like vomiting or fever.

Symptoms of dehydration can range from mild to severe. For example:

• The baby may be fussy or cranky (mild dehydration), or the baby may be very sleepy and hard to wake up (severe dehydration).
• The baby may have a little less urine than usual (mild dehydration), or the baby may not be urinating at all (severe dehydration).

You can get dehydrated when you lose a lot of fluids because of problems like vomiting or fever.

Symptoms of dehydration can range from mild to severe. For example:

• You may feel tired and edgy (mild dehydration), or you may feel weak, not alert, and not able to think clearly (severe dehydration).
• You may pass less urine than usual (mild dehydration), or you may not be passing urine at all (severe dehydration).

Severe dehydration means:

• The baby may be very sleepy and hard to wake up.
• The baby may have a very dry mouth and very dry eyes (no tears).
• The baby may have no wet diapers in 12 or more hours.

Moderate dehydration means:

• The baby may have no wet diapers in 6 hours.
• The baby may have a dry mouth and dry eyes (fewer tears than usual).

Mild dehydration means:

• The baby may pass a little less urine than usual.

Severe dehydration means:

• The child’s mouth and eyes may be extremely dry.
• The child may pass little or no urine for 12 or more hours.
• The child may not seem alert or able to think clearly.
• The child may be too weak or dizzy to stand.
• The child may pass out.

Moderate dehydration means:

• The child may be a lot more thirsty than usual.
• The child’s mouth and eyes may be drier than usual.
• The child may pass little or no urine for 8 or more hours.
• The child may feel dizzy when he or she stands or sits up.

Mild dehydration means:

• The child may be more thirsty than usual.
• The child may pass less urine than usual.

Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following:

• The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll.
• The baby doesn’t respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
• The baby is hard to wake up.

Symptoms of serious illness may include:

• A severe headache.
• A stiff neck.
• Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.
• Extreme fatigue (to the point where it’s hard for you to function).
• Shaking chills.

Temperature varies a little depending on how you measure it. For children up to 11 years old, here are the ranges for high, moderate, and mild according to how you took the temperature.

Oral (by mouth) temperature

• High: 40° C (104° F) and higher
• Moderate: 38° C (100.4° F) to 39.9° C (103.9° F)
• Mild: 37.9° C (100.3° F) and lower

A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.3° C (0.5° F) to 0.6° C (1° F) lower than an oral temperature.

Ear or rectal temperature

• High: 40.5° C (104.9° F) and higher
• Moderate: 38.5° C (101.3° F) to 40.4° C (104.7° F)
• Mild: 38.4° C (101.1° F) and lower

Armpit (axillary) temperature

• High: 39.8° C (103.6° F) and higher
• Moderate: 37.8° C (100° F) to 39.7° C (103.5° F)
• Mild: 37.7° C (99.9° F) and lower

Note: For children under 5 years old, rectal temperatures are the most accurate.

A baby that is extremely sick:

• May be limp and floppy like a rag doll.
• May not respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
• May be hard to wake up.

A baby that is sick (but not extremely sick):

• May be sleepier than usual.
• May not eat or drink as much as usual.

An illness plan for people with diabetes usually covers things like:

• How often to test blood sugar and what the target range is.
• Whether and how to adjust the dose and timing of insulin or other diabetes medicines.
• What to do if you have trouble keeping food or fluids down.
• When to call your doctor.

The plan is designed to help keep your diabetes in control even though you are sick. When you have diabetes, even a minor illness can cause problems.

It is easy for your diabetes to become out of control when you are sick. Because of an illness:

• Your blood sugar may be too high or too low.
• You may not be able take your diabetes medicine (if you are vomiting or having trouble keeping food or fluids down).
• You may not know how to adjust the timing or dose of your diabetes medicine.
• You may not be eating enough or drinking enough fluids.

If you’re not sure if a child’s fever is high, moderate, or mild, think about these issues:

With a high fever:

• The child feels very hot.
• It is likely one of the highest fevers the child has ever had.

With a moderate fever:

• The child feels warm or hot.
• You are sure the child has a fever.

With a mild fever:

• The child may feel a little warm.
• You think the child might have a fever, but you’re not sure.

Blood in the stool can come from anywhere in the digestive tract, such as the stomach or intestines. Depending on where the blood is coming from and how fast it is moving, it may be bright red, reddish brown, or black like tar.

A little bit of bright red blood on the stool or on the toilet paper is often caused by mild irritation of the rectum. For example, this can happen if you have to strain hard to pass a stool or if you have a hemorrhoid.

A large amount of blood in the stool may mean a more serious problem is present. For example, if there is a lot of blood in the stool, not just on the surface, you may need to call your doctor right away. If there are just a few drops on the stool or in the diaper, you may need to let your doctor know today to discuss your symptoms. Black stools may mean you have blood in the digestive tract that may need treatment right away, or may go away on its own.

Certain medicines and foods can affect the colour of stool. Diarrhea medicines (such as Pepto-Bismol) and iron tablets can make the stool black. Eating lots of beets may turn the stool red. Eating foods with black or dark blue food colouring can turn the stool black.

If you take aspirin or some other medicine (called a blood thinner) that prevents blood clots, it can cause some blood in your stools. If you take a blood thinner and have ongoing blood in your stools, call your doctor to discuss your symptoms.

Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause diarrhea. A few examples are:

• Antibiotics.
• Antidepressants.
• Antacids.
• Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).
• Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy).

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

• Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
• If you cannot reach your doctor or you don’t have one, seek care in the next hour.
• You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
  • You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
  • You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.

Sometimes people don’t want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren’t serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

• Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
• If you cannot reach your doctor or you don’t have one, seek care today.
• If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
• If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

• Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
• If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
• If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.

Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older

Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger

When to Treat Vomiting and Diarrhea | Covid 19 Testing St Augustine | Urgent Care St Augustine

Vomiting and diarrhea can be extremely unpleasant and cause a significant amount of discomfort. In most cases, however, the symptoms do not point towards any severe health concern. Although, there are certain times when vomiting and diarrhea need to be treated by a medical professional to ensure the symptoms do not worsen or last for longer than necessary.

While most cases of vomiting and diarrhea are minor and not a cause for concern, it is essential to keep a close eye on the symptom and come in for a visit to our urgent care facility in the event the symptoms start to cause a severe level of discomfort or last for more than a day or two.

While preventing the onset of vomiting and diarrhea is ideal, it is not always practical, and many of the causes of vomiting and diarrhea are simply unpredictable. Subsequently, knowing what signs are a cause for concern and seeking medical assistance when they present themselves is crucial to making a full, speedy recovery.

If you or your child suffer from vomiting and diarrhea that is concerning or lasts for more than several days, be sure to come in for a visit or give us a call to find out the cause of your vomiting and diarrhea and adequately manage the symptoms while they last.

Facts from

The Rehydration Project

• Diarrhea is a common problem that usually resolves on its own, although it is not always best to let it run its course.
• Food intolerance, such as being lactose intolerant or gluten intolerant, is a typical cause of diarrhea.
• People with Diarrhea caused by certain infections can lose up to 20 liters of fluid a day.
• The average humans intestine is about eight meters long.
• Darker vomit is potentially severe and in many cases needs medical treatment.
• Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit.
• Vomiting and diarrhea can both lead to severe dehydration, which can cause serious health concerns that require prompt attention.
• Cyclic vomiting syndrome occurs when an individual experiences recurring episodes of vomiting without an apparent cause.

Questions to Ask

Your Urgent Care Provider

• What triggered my vomiting and diarrhea?
• Is there anything I can do to ensure that my vomiting and diarrhea does not turn into a chronic issue?
• Are there any home remedies I should try to control my vomiting or diarrhea or is it best to let it run its course?
• How long do the vomiting and diarrhea typically last?
• What should I do if my vomiting and diarrhea last for an extended amount of time without improving?
• Is it normal to have a fever along with vomiting and diarrhea?
• Other than an infection, what else can cause vomiting and diarrhea?
• Am I contagious?
• What foods should I avoid to ensure my vomiting and diarrhea does not become worse?
• Is it okay for me to go to work or school?
• Should I be concerned about dehydration?
• Is there anything I could have done to prevent my vomiting and diarrhea?

Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea

There are different reasons why someone may be suffering from the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Although it can be challenging to do so, it is essential to try and find the exact cause of the vomiting and diarrhea as the treatment is likely to differ depending on the cause. The best way to determine the cause of your vomiting and diarrhea is to remember recent lifestyle decisions you have made and determine if any of them could be the reason for your vomiting and diarrhea. While there are numerous reasons why a person may exhibit the symptoms, here are several of the more common causes of vomiting and/or diarrhea:

• Consumption of spoiled food
• Overconsumption of food or alcohol
• Stress
• Pregnancy

The primary cause of vomiting and diarrhea that coexists is some stomach illness, including food poisoning and stomach viruses. To determine if this is the cause, try and remember if there are any questionable foods you have eaten lately or have been around anyone recently who is sick.

Another common cause of vomiting and diarrhea is overconsumption, whether it be food, alcohol or some form of a drug. While overeating food generally does not pose much of a health risk, consuming too much alcohol or drugs can have serious long-term health risks, and it is essential to seek medical attention if this is a probable cause of the vomiting and diarrhea.

Also, it is not uncommon for too much stress to cause vomiting and in some cases diarrhea. Lastly, if there is a chance of you being pregnant, it is crucial to take vomiting and nausea very seriously as it is typically an early symptom of pregnancy.

If you are unsure of the cause of vomiting and diarrhea and are concerned about the symptoms, be sure to visit us here at our urgent care facility for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Vomiting and Diarrhea Treatment Options

To fully understand how to treat vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to know why our body produces and reacts in vomiting and diarrhea. In some instances, a bacteria or virus can release a substance or toxin that can cause these vomiting or diarrhea. When our body comes across an unfamiliar substance or one that it deems harmful, it tries to get rid of the element as quickly as possible. Therefore, the concept of vomiting and diarrhea is helpful to our body. However, too much vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other serious health concerns, which is why it is important to try and control the symptoms as much as possible.

Unfortunately, there is not a way to completely cure vomiting and diarrhea. In most cases, it is best to let it run its course, assuming the symptoms do not last for an extended period or lead to dehydration.

Therefore, the best way to treat vomiting and diarrhea is to let the body and the stomach rest properly. For the first several hours after vomiting begins, avoid consuming anything and let the body clear out the harmful substance. After approximately 6-12 hours, you can, and should, start consuming food and fluids once again. However, be sure to eat very light and choose foods that do not upset your stomach, such as soup or a small salad. While drinking, avoid taking big sips. Instead, take small sips often to stay hydrated.

Lastly, try your best to avoid taking any medications, unless authorized to do so by a medical professional. Frequently medications can make vomiting and diarrhea worse or even be the cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the first place. If you rely on specific medications that you cannot keep down, be sure to visit us at our urgent care facility as soon as possible to ensure you receive the treatment needed.

How to Prevent Vomiting and Diarrhea

As difficult as it can be to treat vomiting and diarrhea, it can be even more challenging to prevent vomiting and diarrhea because it can happen at any time and can be the result of different causes, many of which are unpredictable. With that said, however, there are certain things you can do to help prevent vomiting and diarrhea from occurring in the first place.

While there is always the chance of eating a bad meal that seemed fine at the time, you can help prevent these symptoms by doing the following:

• Practice proper hygiene
• Stay home and rest when sick
• Be cautious  around individuals who are sick

First and foremost, it is crucial to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands often with soap and water, cleaning frequently used surfaces around your home and office and avoiding touching your eyes and mouth, especially after a sneeze or touching a doorknob.

Practicing proper hygiene can undoubtedly help prevent developing an infection, there is still certainly a chance that you may fall ill at some point. While you are sick, however, there are certain precautions you can take to minimize the possibility of developing the symptom of nausea, which could ultimately lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Most importantly, be sure to stay home and rest while sick with the cold or flu, which gives your body all it needs to fight off the infection.

Lastly, be cautious around others who are sick, especially if they have developed an infection within the last three days because that is when they are the most contagious. While it may seem rude to avoid contact with others, most who are sick are considerate and understand your concern.

Perhaps the most important thing to do is avoid eating any questionable foods that may cause food poisoning.

When to Visit Urgent Care for Vomiting and Diarrhea

A minor case of vomiting and diarrhea should improve on its own between 24 and 48 hours after the symptoms first begin. However, if the symptoms last for more than several days or become so severe that they cause an unbearable amount of pain and discomfort, you may want to consider visiting us at our urgent care facility.

With that said, there are various other reasons why you may want to visit us for your case of vomiting and diarrhea, and it is crucial to seek medical assistance if any of the following is true:

• Vomiting lasts for more than a day
• Diarrhea lasts for more than three days
• You suffer from an extreme fever
• You are unable to take important medications
• Your child suffers from severe or chronic vomiting and diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea can be a scary time and cause for concern. In the event your vomiting and diarrhea need to be treated by our medical staff, your symptoms usually can go away within a couple of days, and there are not any risks of long-term issues.

While the above symptoms are a cause for concern as it pertains to vomiting and diarrhea, certain situations are even more severe and need to be treated in an emergency room, which includes:

• There is blood found in your vomit
• You become severely dehydrated
• Recently traveled to another country
• Suffer from severe abdominal pain

It is important to be able to assess the cause and severity of your vomiting and diarrhea as it is easier to manage and treat the symptoms if they are dealt with early. In most cases, you can treat your vomiting and diarrhea at home, but keep a close eye on the signs and visit urgent care if they begin to worsen or last for an extended period.

Consult With Us

To ensure your vomiting and diarrhea is kept at a tolerable level and the symptoms do not last for longer than what is necessary, be sure to consult with us anytime the concerns as mentioned above start to present themselves, including if the vomiting and diarrhea become intolerable or lasts for more than a couple of days.

At our urgent care facility, we have a team of medical professionals and the resources necessary to effectively and efficiently treat the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea as well as accurately diagnose the underlying cause for the symptoms.

Without the proper treatment for vomiting diarrhea, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated, developing a severe fever or just being far more uncomfortable than necessary. With the appropriate treatment, however, you can keep your symptoms at a tolerable level and ensure there are not any other health concerns that develop as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea.

In the event your vomiting and diarrhea worsens or lasts for an extended amount of time, be sure to consult with us and get the treatment you need. By doing so, you will more than likely be able to make a quick recovery and get back to living your life in a reasonable, healthy manner in no time.

FAQ

Q. Is it okay to not eat or drink while I am suffering from vomiting and diarrhea? After all, I am just going to throw it up anyways

A. It is important to continue to try and eat and drink while suffering from vomiting and diarrhea as the failure to do so can lead to dehydration, which poses a substantial long-term health concern. With that said, there are certain foods and drinks you should avoid, including anything that makes you nauseous. Instead, try eating soup and taking small sips of water throughout the day. In the event you or your child begin to exhibit symptoms of dehydration, be sure to come into our urgent care facility for treatment, especially if the vomiting and diarrhea are caused by an infection.

Q. My child is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Is there anything I can give her/him that will help?

A. It can be a very concerning time to see your child suffer from vomiting and diarrhea. Fortunately, there is a specific home treatment that can be administered to help manage the symptoms. First and foremost, do not give your child any solid foods. Instead, feed them applesauce, soup, etc., which should give them a better chance at keeping the food down. Additionally, provide them with plenty of rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte. If they over the age of four, you can have them regularly sip on water throughout the day as well. As they recover, slowly integrate more solid foods back into their diet.

Q. I believe I ate something bad, which has caused me to have vomiting and diarrhea. How long should I wait before visiting the urgent care?

A. In general, vomiting and diarrhea for any cause, especially for food poisoning, should not last more than 72 hours. In the event you ate something you feel has caused food poisoning, visit urgent care if the symptoms do not improve within 72 hours. Also, if the symptoms become extremely concerning at any point within the first three days, you should also consider urgent care, especially if the vomiting and diarrhea have lead to you becoming dehydrated. While an adequately treated case of vomiting and diarrhea is not extremely concerning, dehydration can cause severe health concerns.

Q. I want to avoid dehydration. What are the warning signs of dehydration that I should watch for?

A. The very symptoms of dehydration often include extreme thirst and dark yellow urine. Additionally, you may experience muscle cramps and a headache before dehydration begins to set in. To be safe, it is encouraged to visit urgent care in the event the early signs of dehydration start to show. More concerning symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, and a rapid heartbeat. In the event dehydration leads to any of the more concerning symptoms it is important to properly hydrate as soon as possible and visit urgent care if you are unable to keep fluids down.

Q. Are dehydration symptoms different in babies than it is in adults? What do I do if symptoms of dehydration begin to appear?

A. It is much more challenging to determine symptoms of dehydration during an episode of vomiting and diarrhea in a toddler than an adult. Subsequently, it is important to understand and notice the symptoms if they show up. Most commonly, a baby that has been vomiting and having diarrhea has not urinated in several hours or has very dark urine may suffer from dehydration. Also, check their mouth to see if it is dry and make sure they are secreting tears while crying. In the event they are not, they may be dehydrated. When a baby shows symptoms of dehydration, contact either your pediatrician or visit urgent care if your pediatrician is unavailable or you do not have one.

Q. I need to take my medication, but I keep throwing it back up. What do I need to do?

A. One of the biggest concerns when vomiting and diarrhea with people with a condition that requires them to take medicine daily is the inability to keep the medication down. If this is happening to you, you are not alone. However, it is a concerning scenario that requires medical assistance as soon as possible. If your vomiting and diarrhea does not allow you to keep your medication down, visit a healthcare professional for medical assistance, and they can help you find a way to take your medicine, whether it is through a shot or an IV.

Definitions

Dehydration Quite simply, dehydration is the act of losing more fluids than you take in, which causes the body not to be able to carry out necessary functions. Dehydration is a concern in individuals who have vomiting and diarrhea.

Food intolerance This occurs after eating food the body does not accept, which causes severe digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. For example, lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance are common.

Emetophobia A phobia centered around an intense fear over the idea of vomiting or witnessing others vomit. Often, those with emetophobia are at an increased risk of vomiting.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome A condition where an individual continually experiences episodes of vomiting without a clear, defined cause, although in some the cause may be apparent.

Irritable bowel syndrome A disorder of the intestine that causes severe constipation and diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome is typically a long-term condition that can even last a lifetime.

Crohn’s disease An inflammatory bowel disease that causes severe abdominal pain that often leads to diarrhea. Crohn’s disease can affect anyone, regardless of age.

Gastroenterology A branch of medicine that focuses specifically on the digestive system and conditions related to the digestive system.

Infection A disease caused by the invasion of bacteria or viruses into the body. An infection is a common cause of vomiting and diarrhea and can often be treated with medication.

Rotavirus The most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in toddlers. The rotavirus is not often dangerous in itself, but it can lead to dehydration, which is especially concerning in toddlers.

Stomach flu An intestinal infection that is famously known for causing severe vomiting and diarrhea. The stomach flu can be contagious and cause a critical level of stomach discomfort.

Loperamide: a medicine used to treat diarrhoea

If you’ve bought loperamide from a pharmacy or shop, follow the instructions that come with the packet.

If your doctor has prescribed loperamide for you or your child, follow their instructions about how and when to take it.

How to take it

You can take loperamide with or without food.

Capsules and tablets: swallow these whole, with a drink of water.

Tablets that melt in your mouth: put the tablet on your tongue and let it melt in your saliva. You can then swallow it without a drink. Do not chew it.

Liquid: this comes with a measuring cup, plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount of medicine.

Dosage and strength

Loperamide comes as:

• tablets and capsules that contain 2mg of loperamide
• liquid that contains 1mg of loperamide in a 5ml spoonful

The recommended dose depends on the type of diarrhoea you have and your age.

Adults (over 18), with short-term diarrhoea or IBS

The usual starting dose is:

• capsules or tablets: take 2 capsules or tablets, taken immediately. Then take 1 capsule or tablet after each runny poo.
• liquid: four 5ml spoonfuls, taken immediately. Then take 2 spoonfuls after each runny poo.

Stop taking loperamide as soon as your symptoms settle down.

The recommended maximum dose in 24 hours is:

• 6 capsules or tablets, if you buy loperamide from a shop
• 8 capsules or tablets, or 16 spoonfuls of liquid (5ml each), if you have a prescription or buy loperamide from a pharmacy

Do not take loperamide for more than 48 hours without talking to a doctor.

Adults (over 18) with long-lasting or recurring diarrhoea

Most cases of diarrhoea get better in 5 to 7 days. If your diarrhoea does not stop in 7 days, talk to your doctor. It is important to understand the causes and to treat any complications, for instance dehydration.

If your doctor prescribes loperamide for long-lasting diarrhoea, they will tell you how much to take. The usual starting dose is:

• 2 to 4 capsules or tablets, spaced evenly throughout the day
• 4 to 8 spoonfuls of liquid loperamide (5ml each), spaced evenly throughout the day

Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your symptoms and how well loperamide is working, up to a maximum of:

• 8 tablets or capsules in 24 hours
• 16 spoonfuls of liquid loperamide (5ml each) in 24 hours

Once you’re on the right dose, your doctor will usually recommend dividing your daily dose, so you take half in the morning and half in the afternoon or evening.

Occasionally patients with a colostomy (stoma) need a higher dose. Only take a higher dose if your doctor tells you to.

Children’s doses

Do not give loperamide to children under 12 years old unless their doctor prescribes it.

• Age 12 years and over with short-term diarrhoea – the dose is the same as for adults.
• Age 12 to 17 years with IBS or long-lasting diarrhoea – follow the instructions from their doctor. This is given on prescription only.
• Age 11 years or younger – follow the instructions from their doctor.

If a doctor prescribes loperamide for your child, they will use their weight or age to work out the right dose. The dose also depends on their symptoms.

What if I forget to take it?

If you miss a dose of loperamide, do not worry. Just take a dose after you next go to the toilet and have a runny poo.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.

What if I take too much?

Do not take more than the recommended amount.

If you take 1 extra dose of loperamide as a one-off, it’s unlikely to harm you. But taking higher doses can cause serious heart problems. The signs include having a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Medicines and the Digestive System

10 Natural Remedies For Diarrhea + Causes, Symptoms, And Prevention Tips

Norovirus, one of the causes of infectious diarrhoea, is responsible for causing over 200,000 deaths in developing countries (1). A disease that can be easily prevented by following basic hygiene habits is claiming a lot of lives.

All of us have experienced bouts of diarrhea at some point in our lives. And you probably know how distressing the stomach cramps and bloating associated with it can be. Diarrhea is a medical condition that is characterized by frequent bowel movements with abnormally loose and watery stools.

Mild cases of diarrhea usually last only for a couple of days. However, in some cases, diarrhea can also be an indication of a potentially life-threatening condition. If you are looking for natural ways to stop diarrhea, check out this post. We have included some simple home remedies and tips that can help prevent diarrhea in the future. Read on.

Note: If you have mild to moderate bouts of diarrhea, these home remedies may help ease the symptoms. However, if the condition persists beyond a week, consult your healthcare provider.

Home Remedies To Treat Diarrhea

1. Lemon Water

The mixture of lemon juice, sugar, salt, and water is a popular remedy used by many to treat symptoms of diarrhea, like dehydration (2).

You Will Need

• ½ lemon
• 1 glass of water
• A pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons of sugar

What You Have To Do

1. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a glass of water.
2. Add a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of sugar to it.
3. Mix well and drink up.

How Often You Should Do This

Sip on this mixture every few minutes.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (3), (4). It may help fight the microbes responsible for causing diarrhea and soothe the inflamed intestines.

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
2. Mix well and add some honey to it.
3. Drink the mixture.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 2-3 times a day until the symptoms subside.

3. Almond Milk

Adults and infants who are lactose-intolerant tend to develop diarrhea on consuming dairy products (5). Almond milk is a healthy and safe substitute (6).

You Will Need

Almond milk (as required)

What You Have To Do

Replace cow’s milk with almond milk in your cereals, smoothies, and other dishes.

How Often You Should Do This

You can make this a daily habit if you are lactose-intolerant.

4. Coconut Water

Coconut water can be used as a rehydration solution for people with mild symptoms of diarrhea. However, it should be used together with early refeeding (7).

You Will Need

1 glass of fresh young coconut water

What You Have To Do

Drink a glass of young coconut water daily.

How Often You Should Do This

You must preferably drink this concoction after every bout of diarrhea.

Caution: This remedy should not be used to treat symptoms of dehydration. It should also not be used for cholera or renal impairment.

5. Peppermint Essential Oil

The active constituent of peppermint oil is menthol. Menthol can help relieve abdominal pain that accompanies diarrhea and other IBS symptoms. Two studies published in Digestive Diseases And Sciences and Mymensingh Medical Journal also confirmed the same post sustained release of encapsulated peppermint oil in the small intestine (8), (9).

You Will Need

• 1 drop of food-grade peppermint oil
• 1 glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a drop of food-grade peppermint oil to a glass of warm water.
2. Drink the solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 1-2 times daily.

6. Ginger

According to a study published in Yakugaku Zasshi, Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, the acetone extract of ginger can help curb serotonin-induced diarrhea (10).

You Will Need

• 1-2 inches of sliced ginger
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add an inch or two of sliced ginger to a cup of water.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Simmer and strain.
4. Drink the warm ginger tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 2-3 times daily.

7. Green Tea

Among the many benefits of green tea, one is its ability to treat diarrhea in the affected individuals (11).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep a teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water for 5-7 minutes.
2. Strain and drink the tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink green tea 1-2 times daily.

8. Electrolyte Drinks (ORS)

Consumption of electrolyte drinks, such as sports drinks, as well as the ever-popular oral rehydration solution (ORS), may help alleviate the symptoms of dehydration that often accompany diarrhea (12).

You Will Need

• 6 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 liter of boiled water

What You Have To Do

1. Add six teaspoons of sugar to a liter of water. Mix well until it dissolves.
2. Add a teaspoon of salt to the solution and mix well.
3. Drink a cup of the solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this after every watery bowel movement you have.

9. Vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency is often associated with an increased risk of diarrhea. Hence, restoring this deficiency can reduce the severity of the symptoms (13).

You Will Need

Vitamin A-rich foods or supplements

What You Have To Do

1. Increase your intake of vitamin A-rich foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, winter squash, cantaloupe, and spinach.
2. You can also take additional supplements for this vitamin after talking to your doctor about the required dosage for you.

How Often You Should Do This

You can include small amounts of vitamin A-rich foods in your daily diet.

10. Rice Water

Rice water can cut down the number of stools without having any adverse effects on your health. It is especially great for treating diarrhea in infants that occurs as a result of infantile gastroenteritis in developing countries (14).

You Will Need

½ glass of rice water

What You Have To Do

1. Strain the water from cooked rice.
2. Consume half a glass of rice water after every bout of diarrhea.
3. This remedy can also be used for children.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times or more daily.

While these remedies work their magic, you can also make some changes to your diet for a speedy recovery.

What Foods Help Stop Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be quite uncomfortable. Hence, you must be a little careful about what you eat. This is where the BRAT diet comes into play.

BRAT is “bananas, rice, apple, and toast.” These bland foods will be quite easy on your stomach and will not aggravate your condition any further (1).

It is also necessary that you drink lots of fluids to keep yourself well-hydrated.

Foods To Eat

The foods that can help ease symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Clear broths
• Bananas
• Apples
• Toast
• White rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt

Foods To Avoid

Avoid these foods if you have diarrhea:

• Dairy products
• Fried or greasy foods
• Spices
• Raw vegetables
• Caffeine
• Citrus fruits
• Raw vegetables
• Pork
• Processed foods
• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners

These foods may either be too heavy for your recovering tummy or may further aggravate your condition if they are already contaminated, like in the case of raw vegetables. Hence, exercise caution.

Here are a few additional tips to prevent the recurrence of diarrhea.

How To Prevent Diarrhea

• Always wash your hands every time after using the washroom and also before you eat.

• Wash your hands if you come in contact with any contaminants or pets/animals.

• If you can’t get hold of water to wash your hands, use a sanitizer.

• Be careful when you are traveling to a new place. Do not eat or drink until you are sure the food and drinks are safe to be consumed.

• Wash your vegetables and fruits thoroughly before cooking them.

• Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked eggs.

• Avoid using dairy that is not pasteurized. If you are lactose-intolerant, avoid dairy altogether.

• Avoid handling food if you have diarrhea.

• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and other foods that have laxative potential.

If you can think of any other possible hygiene tips that can help avoid diarrhea, add them to the above list and make sure you follow them religiously.

What causes diarrhea? Who is at risk of contracting this disease? Find out in the next section.

Causes And Risk Factors

Most cases of diarrhea are triggered by an infection in your gastrointestinal tract. Some common microbes that could be held responsible for triggering diarrhea are:

• Viruses like Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis, and rotavirus.

• Bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.

• Other parasitic organisms like Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica.

In some cases, especially in chronic diarrhea, a clear cause may not be found. Such cases of chronic diarrhea are referred to as “functional.”

Other factors that can increase your risk of developing chronic diarrhea include:

• Sensitivity to dairy products and/or artificial sweeteners

• Stomach or gallbladder surgery

• Hereditary or genetic conditions, like cystic fibrosis or enzyme deficiencies

• Diseases of the pancreas or thyroid

• Radiation therapy treatment of the abdominal or pelvic region

• Consumption of uncooked meats

• Swallowing water or swimming in contaminated water bodies

• Traveling to countries with poor hygiene

• Eating contaminated or unrefrigerated food

• Close contact with an individual with gastroenteritis

• Medications like laxatives and certain antibiotics can also trigger diarrhea.

There are mainly three types of clinical diarrhea.

Types Of Diarrhea

• Acute Watery Diarrhea – It can last for several hours or even days. This type can also be caused due to cholera infection.

• Acute Bloody Diarrhea – Blood is also noticed in the watery stool. This type is also referred to as dysentery.

• Persistent Diarrhea – It lasts for 14 days or more.

Other than the characteristic watery stool, diarrhea may be accompanied by the following symptoms.

Signs And Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea include:

• Stomach ache
• Bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Weight loss
• Increased thirst
• Fever

Other symptoms may include:

• Presence of blood in the stool
• Pus in the stool
• Dehydration
• Persistent vomiting

If you notice such symptoms along with chronic diarrhea, it could be an indication of a more severe illness. Most cases of diarrhea may ease on their own without treatment. However, in some cases, it is important to seek medical intervention.

When To See A Doctor

If your infant has had 6 bouts of watery bowel movements and 3 or more bouts of vomiting in 24 hours, do not waste any time in consulting a doctor. Children above 1 year should also be taken to a doctor if they have experienced 6 or more bouts of diarrhea in 24 hours.

You must also see a doctor immediately if you notice certain symptoms like:

• Continuous vomiting
• Persistent diarrhea
• Significant loss of weight
• Pus or blood in stool that may also turn the stool black
• Dehydration

Once you visit a doctor, they may do the following to diagnose diarrhea.

Diagnosis

Most often, doctors can diagnose diarrhea without having to carry out any additional tests as two or more watery stools a day indicates the condition without the need for any further diagnosis (1).

But, in severe cases, your doctor may suggest you take a stool test. This is done especially if the patient is very young or old.

For chronic and persistent cases of diarrhea, your doctor may ask you to take any of the following tests depending on the suspected cause:

• Full blood count – a low or raised blood count may indicate inflammation.

• Liver function test to test your albumin levels.

• Malabsorption tests to check the absorption of vitamin B12, calcium, and folate. Your iron status and thyroid functions may also be assessed.

• Testing for antibodies – as it can indicate Celiac disease.

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein levels – Raised levels are usually an indication of inflammatory bowel disease.

If an underlying cause is responsible for causing diarrhea, the doctor may suggest further treatments accordingly.

Diarrhea is a condition that is rather easy to manage by paying a little bit of attention to your day-to-day hygiene habits. However, if there is an underlying cause of your symptoms, it is best to seek medical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get diarrhea after eating?

Experiencing symptoms of diarrhea every time after you eat something is known as postprandial diarrhea. The underlying causes of this kind of diarrhea may include infection, food poisoning, IBS, lactose intolerance, or certain medications.

What is the best thing to drink when you have diarrhea?

You should drink 8 glasses of fluids like fruit juices without pulp, broth, soda (without caffeine), and sports drinks to alleviate dehydration that often results from diarrhea.

How long does diarrhea usually last?

Diarrhea caused by an infection often lasts for no more than 3-5 days. If your symptoms last for more than 4-6 weeks, you most probably have an underlying gastrointestinal condition.

How do you know if your baby has diarrhea?

If your baby has 6 or more bouts of watery bowel movements in 24 hours, he/she has diarrhea and must be taken to a doctor immediately to prevent further health complications.

Can you have diarrhea in early pregnancy?

The shifting hormones, diet changes, and stress are all factors that contribute to many changes in your body during pregnancy, including diarrhea and constipation.

How to prevent traveler’s diarrhea?

Here are some tips that can help prevent traveler’s diarrhea:
• Drink only bottled water.
• Use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.
• Avoid consuming ice that may be made with tap water.
• Eat vegetables that are cooked. Avoid eating them raw.
• Make sure that all foods that you eat, including dairy, seafood, and meat, are properly boiled and/or cooked.
• If the area you are traveling to has had a recent outbreak of hepatitis, take the vaccination for the same before commencing your trip.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.

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• Ahmed, A et al. “The use of ORS (Nimkol) in management of childhood diarrhoea by mothers in the suburbs of Rawalpindi-Islamabad.” JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association vol. 40,8 (1990): 178-82..
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• Yagnik, Darshna et al. “Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression.” Scientific Reports vol. 8,1 1732.
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• “STUDY ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT.” Asian Journal of Science and Technology, ResearchGate.
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• Commissioner, Office of the. “Problems Digesting Dairy Products?” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA.
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• Cash, Brooks D et al. “A Novel Delivery System of Peppermint Oil Is an Effective Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms.” Digestive Diseases and Sciences vol. 61,2 (2016): 560-71.
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• Alam, M S et al. “Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS – a double blind randomized placebo – controlled study.” Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ vol. 22,1 (2013): 27-30.
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• Huang, Q et al. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan vol. 110,12 (1990): 936-42. doi:10.1248/yakushi1947.110.12_936
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Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness. In her free time, Shaheen loves to explore the world and the different flavors/cuisines it has to offer. Photography is another hobby she has developed of late.

FDA limits packaging for anti-diarrhea medicine loperamide (Imodium) to encourage safe use

9/20/2019 Update
To help address loperamide abuse and misuse, FDA approved changes to the packaging for tablet and capsule forms of the brand-name over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medicines Imodium A-D, Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief, and Be Health Loperamide HCl Capsules. These changes limit each carton to no more than 48 mg of loperamide and require the tablets and capsules to be packaged in individual doses. FDA continues to work with manufacturers, including those of generic and liquid OTC loperamide products to institute appropriate package sizes and types that support the safe use of these medicines.

Safety Announcement

[1-30-2018] To foster safe use of the over-the counter (OTC) anti-diarrhea drug loperamide, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with manufacturers to use blister packs or other single dose packaging and to limit the number of doses in a package. We continue to receive reports of serious heart problems and deaths with much higher than the recommended doses of loperamide, primarily among people who are intentionally misusing or abusing the product, despite the addition of a warning to the medicine label and a previous communication. Loperamide is a safe drug when used as directed.

Loperamide is FDA-approved to help control symptoms of diarrhea, including Travelers’ Diarrhea. The maximum approved daily dose for adults is 8 mg per day for OTC use and 16 mg per day for prescription use. It is sold under the OTC brand name Imodium A-D, as store brands, and as generics. Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the gut to slow the movement in the intestines and decrease the number of bowel movements. It is safe at approved doses, but when much higher than recommended doses are taken, it can lead to serious problems, including severe heart rhythm problems and death.

Patients and consumers should only take the dose of loperamide directed by your health care professionals or according to the OTC Drug Facts label, as taking more than prescribed or listed on the label can cause severe heart rhythm problems or death. If you are using OTC loperamide and your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, stop taking the medicine and contact your health care professional.

Seek medical attention immediately by calling 911 if you or someone taking loperamide experiences any of the following, and tell health care professionals the person has been taking loperamide:

• Fainting
• Rapid heartbeat or irregular heart rhythm
• Unresponsiveness, meaning that you can’t wake the person up or the person doesn’t answer or react normally

Health care professionals should be aware that using much higher than recommended doses of loperamide, either intentionally or unintentionally, can result in serious cardiac adverse events, including QT interval prolongation, Torsades de Pointes or other ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, and cardiac arrest. In cases of abuse, individuals often use other drugs together with loperamide in attempts to increase its absorption and penetration across the blood-brain barrier, inhibit loperamide metabolism, and enhance its euphoric effects. Some individuals are taking high doses of loperamide to treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal. If loperamide toxicity is suspected, promptly discontinue the drug and start necessary therapy. For some cases of abnormal heart rhythms in which drug treatment is ineffective, electrical pacing or cardioversion may be required. Also counsel patients to take loperamide only as prescribed or according to the OTC Drug Facts label and advise patients that drug interactions with commonly used medicines may increase the risk of serious cardiac events.

We previously issued a Drug Safety Communication about this safety concern and added warnings about serious heart problems to the drug label of prescription loperamide and to the Drug Facts label of OTC loperamide products. We are continuing to evaluate this safety issue and will update the public when more information is available.

We urge patients, consumers, and health care professionals to report side effects involving loperamide or other medicines to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact FDA” box at the bottom of the page.

Additional Information

en Español

Drug Safety Communication (PDF – 62KB)

Related Information

• Content current as of:

  09/20/2019

90,000 how to help yourself and your loved ones at home

Summer is the time for fruits and vegetables. And if people bought at the market or in a store always wash the gifts of nature, then some eat currants, gooseberries or apples from their plot directly from a bush or from a tree. In the program “On the Most Important Things”, Dr. Sergei Agapkin and infectious disease doctor Georgy Sapronov answered the question: “To wash or not to wash?”

Doctors remind that, of course, everything should be washed. And especially carefully – what grows closer to the ground (and even more so what was dug out of the ground), and a person is going to use these vegetables or berries raw.

If suddenly a person has caught an intestinal infection, then first of all it is necessary to consult a doctor. But if the symptoms (diarrhea and fever) are not very pronounced, then home remedies can be used, the infectious disease doctor notes.

First of all, you need to replenish the water balance by diluting the salt bags in water.

“Because we will only replenish the water with water, but we will not replenish the salt balance,” the expert explains.

The most famous folk recipe: strong sweet black tea. The infectious disease specialist confirms that this method has been known for a long time, and it helps with indigestion.

Sergei Agapkin, at the same time, reminds of another (now popular on the Web) recipe: some suggest chewing ordinary dry tea leaves for diarrhea.

“This method cannot be reliable, since dry tea leaves do not have those properties that could be realized when you chew it,” says the infectious disease doctor.

And here is another popular recipe – a decoction of chamomile, indeed, an old and well-proven method of treating acute intestinal infections.

In addition, says Georgy Sapronov, chamomile has a strong and at the same time mild anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, when the throat hurts, it is recommended to rinse it with such a decoction.

“You can add mint leaves or lemon to chamomile tea,” experts advise.

Dr. Agapkin, for his part, also reminds of dieting by those who suffer from indigestion.

“First of all, these are boiled rice, crackers, and on the second or third day you can add boiled potatoes,” the doctor explains.

In general, the rules for those who want to avoid the risks of facing such an unpleasant disease as much as possible are quite simple. You just need to remember to often and thoroughly wash your hands, vegetables and fruits, use only boiled or bottled water, be careful in choosing food and eat raw food with caution.

Even more interesting news – in our Instagram and Telegram channel @smotrim_ru .

90,000 Diarrhea and stress: why diarrhea occurs during nervous tension

Number of views: 135 683

Date of last update: 26.08.2021

Average reading time: 7 minutes

Content

Why is the intestine irritated?
Treatment and prevention of psychogenic diarrhea

Rumbling, abdominal cramps and loose stools on the eve of an important event are extremely unpleasant symptoms that can knock the soil out from under anyone’s feet.This is due to stress, which triggers a whole chain of reactions in the body, leading to functional disorders in the digestive system. How to treat diarrhea on a nervous basis and how to prevent its appearance – about this in the article.

Ancient physicians-philosophers spoke about the relationship between body and soul. Cicero, who is considered to be the father of psychosomatics, made reasoned judgments about the effect of strong nervous shocks on human health ¹ . Today, the existence of psychosomatic disorders has been proven, and they are included in the international classification of diseases.Among them is irritable bowel syndrome, one of the manifestations of which is nervous diarrhea.

Back to Contents

Why is the intestine irritated?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects both men and women alike. Most often, an intestinal disorder on a nervous basis occurs in urban residents ² with a busy rhythm of life and frequent stress.

Emotional instability becomes the basis for the onset of the syndrome.Irrepressible urge to empty the bowels, ending with loose stools, may be preceded not only by anxiety, fear or feelings of sadness and sadness, but also intense positive emotions. From a physiological point of view, they are also stressful.

Nervous tension causes the adrenal glands to produce stress hormones: cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine. Under their influence, the body adapts to the new environment: the frequency of contractions of the heart and respiration increases, the pupils dilate, thought processes and muscle reactions are accelerated.However, the reaction may be excessive ³ . In particular, stress can provoke disturbances in intestinal motility ^3.4 . With the accelerated advancement of intestinal contents, the reverse absorption of water and electrolytes is disturbed, as a result of which loose stools appear.

The main manifestations of psychogenic diarrhea:

• sudden, irresistible urge to defecate, arising against the background of emotional stress;
• diarrhea more than 3 times a day;
• normal stool volume, on average 200 ml per day;
• absence of episodes of diarrhea during night rest;
• loud rumbling, discomfort, or migratory cramping abdominal pain prior to bowel movement;
• loose, mushy or watery stools, free from mucus, blood, undigested food and fat;
• alternation of diarrhea with constipation, ending with the release of a small amount of hard lumpy feces, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestines.

Important! With IBS, there are no infectious and organic diseases of the intestines and other organs of the digestive system. Therefore, before taking any measures to combat diarrhea, you need to consult a doctor and undergo the appropriate examination in this case.

Up to content

Treatment and prevention of psychogenic diarrhea

Psychogenic diarrhea usually occurs against the background of chronic stress, neurotic disorders, depressive conditions and by its appearance aggravates the situation.The suddenness of an irresistible urge to defecate and the realization that the process is uncontrollable, increase anxiety, increase nervous tension and close the vicious circle of the disease.

Treatment of IBS and its symptom – diarrhea arising from nerves – includes the following methods.

1. Psychotherapy

The basis of treatment is non-drug methods of influence. First you need to find and understand the psychological problem that leads to diarrhea. Therefore, the treatment of nervous diarrhea should include working with a psychologist or psychotherapist, psychotherapy sessions, and possibly taking psychotropic drugs: anxiolytics (drugs that reduce anxiety levels) and antidepressants ¹ .Reducing the level of anxiety will help not only solve the problem of neurogenic diarrhea, but also eliminate many other troubles associated with the emotional background.

2. Organization of work and rest routine

To reduce stress levels, it is important:

• adhere to a daily routine;
• alternate work with rest, mental workload with physical;
• Sleep at least 8 hours a day;
• to be in the fresh air for at least 2 hours a day – oxygen is necessary for the normal functioning of the brain;
• to exercise.

3.Diet

Neurosis and neurogenic diarrhea – a reason to reconsider nutrition. Experts advise eating fewer foods containing lactose, fructose, sweeteners, gluten, caffeine, polyols (polyhydric alcohols), legumes ⁵ . It is advisable to exclude poorly tolerated foods and alcohol, reduce the consumption of fatty, fried, spicy, smoked foods. It is recommended to eat more cheeses such as feta and brie, bananas, blueberries, melons, grapefruits, kiwis, lemons, limes, oranges and strawberries ⁵ .Also useful are eggplants, olives, potatoes, nuts and, in general, protein foods ⁵ .

4.Physiotherapy

In order to correct intestinal motor activity and normalize the psychological state, doctors prescribe physical therapy, massage, reflexology, herbal medicine and balneotherapy.

5. Drug therapy

To combat diarrhea, antidiarrheal drugs based on loperamide are used ² , for example, IMODIUM® Express ⁶ .Loperamide slows down intestinal motility and movement of feces along it, promotes the reabsorption of water and electrolytes ⁷ . This causes the stool to become hardened and helps control bowel movements. The effect of the drug can last up to 4-6 hours ^6.7 .

If “nervous” diarrhea is accompanied by pain, the doctor may recommend taking antispasmodic drugs ² .

Long-term disorders of bowel function lead to dysbiosis, in which case treatment includes pro- and prebiotics.

Despite the chronic relapsing course, psychogenic diarrhea is not classified as life-threatening disease ² . It does not increase the risk of inflammatory diseases and bowel cancer ² – this is important to understand in order to remain optimistic during treatment, which can be quite lengthy.

The information in this article is for guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Literature

1. E. Yu. Plotnikova, A. M. Seledtsov. Psychosomatic aspects in gastroenterology, Attending physician, No. 12, 2012.
2. D.P. Petrov. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Consilium Medicum. 2009; 8: S. 40-43.
3. I. N. Kholodova, G. E. Zaydenvarg. Stress: how to reduce its impact on a person’s quality of life. Regular issues of “RMZh” No. 2 (ll) from 26.03.2018. S. 113-117.
4. Kozlova I.V., Myalina Yu.N., Lekareva L.I., Badieva O.E., Tikhonova T.A. Psychological characteristics of patients with functional and inflammatory bowel diseases. Saratov Journal of Medical Scientific Research, 2014; 10 (1): pp. 80–85.
5. Staudacher HM et al. A Diet Low in FODMAPs Reduces Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and A Probiotic Restores Bifidobacterium Species: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Gastroenterology. 2017 Oct; 153 (4): pp. 936-947.
6. Instructions for the use of IMODIUM® Express.
7. Register of medicines in Russia.Active ingredients. Loperamide. https://www.rlsnet.ru/mnn_index_id_637.htm

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Diarrhea during stress and neurosis

Before the holidays, you were nervous: running around for gifts, preparing a feast, general cleaning, time pressure at work … And at the beginning of the year, you broke your usual diet, overeat, indulged in pickles and alcohol. And the stomach began to rebel – irritable bowel syndrome arose.How to calm him down?

If you have any questions, you can ask them using the Doctis service.

1. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Tortured intestines. Now diarrhea, then constipation. And pains in the abdomen, like in labor. I even did a colonoscopy – but, fortunately, everything turned out to be in order. The doctor suggested it was irritable bowel syndrome. What are the symptoms of this disease?

There are a number of signs suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects 15 to 48% of the population.Among the most common are pain, rumbling and cramps in the abdomen, problems with stool (diarrhea or constipation, and more often their alternation), increased gas production (flatulence). Sometimes there are also atypical complaints – for example, headache and frequent urination.

Most often, the “concert for a drum with an orchestra” is played in the stomach in the evenings, and especially after the consumption of gas-forming food (fresh vegetables and fruits, black bread). After a bowel movement, symptoms usually subside.Emotional shocks, anxieties and worries often lead to exacerbations. And, finally, an important point – by the morning, pain and discomfort usually disappear. If the stomach aches in the morning no less than in the evening, then this, most likely, speaks not of a functional disorder, but of some more serious diagnosis.

In no case should you tolerate severe abdominal pain, which cannot be dealt with by antispasmodics. Indeed, such a symptom may hide a life-threatening surgical pathology that requires urgent surgery (for example, acute appendicitis, cholecystitis or pancreatitis).In such a situation it is necessary to call an ambulance.

However, even if the clinical picture fully corresponds to this description, a diagnosis such as IBS can be made only after examination, which will show that there is nothing more dangerous. If there are no changes in the mucous membrane, and the discomfort in the intestine persists for more than three months, and the stomach grabs at least three times a week, then the doctor has the right to talk about the presence of this very syndrome.

2. Diarrhea under severe stress

I noticed that if I get nervous, diarrhea starts immediately.For the first time this happened to me at school, before the final exams. Since then, any stress or even just strong excitement leads to the fact that I am weakened. Before my own wedding, sorry for the detail, I didn’t get out of the toilet. How can such a strange relationship be explained?

Not only malnutrition, dysbiosis and physical inactivity are dangerous for the intestines. In 80% of cases, functional disorders of this organ arise from stress. No wonder such a violation is also called “intestinal neurosis.”

The functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract developing in this case can be explained by a violation of the interaction between the digestive and nervous systems. After all, our intestine has its own regulatory mechanism, it is autonomous from the central nervous system, but is part of the autonomic nervous system. The work of this mechanism is controlled by the brain (by the way, the amygdala, located in this organ, is responsible for both stress response and intestinal motility).The brain sends signals for emptying, and the intestine, in response, reports on the execution of the order. But under stress, the brain already sends the wrong signals, to which the intestines respond with pain.

It is not surprising that emotional people with increased anxiety and low stress resistance most often suffer from stomach problems. It is not for nothing that such a diagnosis as irritable bowel syndrome is given to women 4 times more often than men, because they, as a rule, perceive everything that happens more acutely.In general, this malaise is more typical for young and middle-aged people who are mainly engaged in intellectual work.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Is it true that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is untreated? And if so, why do doctors prescribe different pills? And without that, there is a lot of chemistry in our body!

Unfortunately, there really is no specific treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. You can only fight with symptoms.Nevertheless, it is necessary to be treated. After all, unstable stool not only significantly reduces the quality of life, but also leads to an overload of the large intestine, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas and other proctological diseases.

Selective antispasmodics help relieve pain. Nevertheless, the problem cannot be solved only with pills; a set of measures is needed. A prerequisite for good bowel motility is regular physical activity. Swimming, walking, dancing are useful. The correct diet is also very important.You need to eat regularly and fractionally, excluding fried, spicy, salty foods. With a tendency to constipation, vegetable fiber and fermented milk products are most useful and jelly and crackers are harmful, and with frequent diarrhea, the opposite is true. And finally, the ability to manage your emotions can be of great help. In this regard, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, or taking sedatives prescribed by a neurologist are effective.

Read also

How to get rid of flatulence. 5 questions to a gastroenterologist

How to get rid of diarrhea: effective ways

Quickly get rid of diarrhea will help not only medical products, but also well-proven folk remedies!

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Yogurt

During an episode of diarrhea, the body completely gets rid of the beneficial bacteria that are responsible for the healthy functioning of the intestines. Rich in probiotics, yogurt will help to quickly restore intestinal bacterial imbalances. Please note that it should be free of any fruit additives. It is best to take yogurt with banana twice a day.

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Peppermint Tea

According to researchers at the University of Maryland, 75 percent of participants who took peppermint tea for diarrhea felt much better after the experiment.The fact is that mint tea not only soothes the gastrointestinal tract, but also effectively reduces the amount of intestinal gas.

To make mint tea, take one tablespoon of dried mint leaves and pour a glass of boiled water over it. Let it brew for 10-13 minutes and drink. By the way, mint leaves can be replaced with mint a little.

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Ginger

Read also: How to remove toxins from the body: six beneficial foods

Ginger has long been known for its medicinal value in digestive problems.It is good for cramps, improves digestion, and relieves intestinal irritation.

To relieve diarrhea, mix two tablespoons of minced ginger root in hot water. To make this drink tastier, you can add a teaspoon of honey.

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Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent antimicrobial and antibacterial agent. It helps replenish the supply of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system and also relieves stomach cramps during diarrhea.

For a special drink for diarrhea, mix one or two teaspoons with warm water and drink on an empty stomach.

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Carrots

Carrots are a real storehouse of pectins. However, its high fiber content makes this product a little harsh on irritable bowels. Therefore, the best way to get rid of diarrhea is to bake or boil carrots and then mash them.You need to take it in small portions every half hour.

All these remedies are good and time-tested, but before starting treatment in any way, consult your doctor.

90,000 Diarrhea in a cat: symptoms and causes of diarrhea in a cat

Diarrhea (diarrhea) in a cat is an unpleasant event for both the owner and the pet. This problem may seem harmless, but it often points to a more complex medical condition.In order to avoid serious consequences, you need to know what to do if your cat has problems with stool.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea, or diarrhea, is a digestive disorder that changes the consistency of stools and the frequency of bowel movements. Despite the fact that this problem seems frivolous to many, this condition requires close attention and treatment, since with each act of defecation, the animal’s body loses a large amount of fluid. As a result, the cat may become dehydrated – a life-threatening condition of the body.

Diarrhea in cats and cats is often accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. In addition, the animal may experience discomfort, anxiety, stress.

Diarrhea is not an independent disease, it is only a symptom of other pathologies in the animal’s body.

Why does diarrhea appear?

All the many reasons why cats develop diarrhea can be roughly divided into domestic and pathological. The former include alimentary (nutritional) and other factors in the development of diarrhea, the latter – various diseases and pathologies.

So why does your pet get diarrhea?

Alimentary reasons:

• Improper feeding – deviation from the usual diet, inclusion in the diet of foods that cause indigestion (milk, dairy products, including those with high fat content – cream, sour cream – and others)
• Change of habitual diet – transfer from one feed to another, transfer from natural diet to feed and vice versa, etc.
• Overfeeding
• Food poisoning – eating spoiled food containing pathogenic bacteria, drinking contaminated water, etc.etc .;
• Food allergy

Pathological causes:

• Parasitic invasion (helminthiasis)
• Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: bacterial (for example, salmonellosis, colibacillosis and others) and viral (viral leukemia, panleukopenia, viral peritonitis, rotavirus infection)
• Pathologies of the digestive system, diseases of the kidneys, liver, biliary tract
• Intoxication of the body due to poisoning
• Metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus
• Cancer

Other reasons:

• Stress is a reaction to a change of scenery, a trip, the appearance of a new family member or animal
• Taking certain medications – antibiotics that disrupt the microflora of the digestive tract often cause diarrhea
• Sun or heatstroke
• Trichobezoars (hairballs in the stomach)
• Pregnancy and the puerperium
• Foreign objects in the digestive tract

Depending on the cause of the onset of diarrhea, the feces acquire a characteristic color.Therefore, the possible cause of diarrhea can be determined by the color of the feces.

Symptoms of diarrhea

Before you start doing anything to relieve your cat, you need to deal with the symptoms that indicate digestive problems.

Normally, the stool in cats and cats should be formed, have a characteristic odor and color. There should be no more than two bowel movements per day. With indigestion, the color, smell and consistency of stool changes, as well as the frequency of bowel movements.

Characteristic signs of diarrhea:

• Increase in bowel movements
• Changes in stool consistency. Feces can be poorly formed, liquid, watery, foamy. Depending on the reason why diarrhea appeared, the consistency may be different 90 103
• Discoloration of faeces.As well as the consistency, the color changes depending on the cause of the diarrhea
• Odor change.

In addition to the main symptoms of diarrhea, there may also be secondary signs that indicate that the animal is deteriorating. These include lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, and changes in body temperature.

Due to diarrhea, the cat’s body loses a large amount of fluid – dehydration sets in. Dehydration is faster if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting.

As a rule, vomiting occurs when the body is exposed to pathogenic factors from the outside, for example, in case of poisoning with toxic substances, drugs or due to heat stroke. But sometimes the appearance of vomiting can indicate inflammatory and infectious diseases of the digestive tract, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas. In addition, the appearance of vomiting may indicate chronic constipation, in which the animal pushes unsuccessfully, and a blockage of the intestinal lumen with a foreign body (including helminths).

Diarrhea and vomiting with foam are the most warning signs of a serious cat health problem. Often this symptom accompanies such dangerous diseases as panleukopenia, infectious peritonitis, viral enteritis and others.

Depending on the duration, the course of diarrhea is divided into acute (lasts several days), chronic (lasts more than a week, accompanied by dehydration) and intermittent (returns periodically within one month).

How can I relieve symptoms?

When looking for an answer to what to do to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea in a cat, the first step is to assess the condition of the pet.It is impossible to independently treat an animal and provide it with assistance if it has a worsening of its condition or, in addition to diarrhea, there are other symptoms that indicate, possibly, a serious pathology.

In the event that the condition of the cat does not cause concern, it is necessary to understand what cause led to the consequences in the form of digestive disorders. If the owner knows that the cause of diarrhea is one of the nutritional factors, products that have a detrimental effect on the pet’s gastrointestinal tract should be excluded from the cat’s diet.

If diarrhea is caused by a sudden change in diet or a deviation from the usual diet, you should provide the cat with a hungry diet for a day, and leave water freely available. As a rule, “unloading” the digestive system helps the body to cope with the negative effects on its own. After maintaining a starvation diet, the best feeding option will be special canned food for animals with gastrointestinal diseases. It is necessary to make sure that the cat receives food often, in small portions.

90,000 Diarrhea in adolescents and adults ”BigPicture.ru

Diarrhea or diarrhea is a manifestation of disturbances in the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. In other words, it is the body’s way of getting rid of a virus or infection. Diarrhea can be acute – it lasts no more than 21 days and chronic, when the infection spreads to adjacent organs and tissues. In adolescents and adults, the general symptoms of diarrhea are almost the same, but the reasons are very different. Let’s take a closer look.

General symptoms

In both adolescents and adults, diarrhea manifests itself as loose stools – with a different frequency of bowel movements.In addition to this main symptom, there may be other signs of the disease:

• Nausea;

• Vomiting;

• Malaise;

• Weakness;

• Frequent bowel movements;

• Different degrees of watery stools;

• Temperature rise, etc.

If symptoms persist for a long time, you should contact a gastroenterologist or at least take a remedy for dysbiosis https: // liki.wiki / catalog / laktomun or probiotic to restore microflora https://liki.wiki/catalog/latsium Since diarrhea may be one of the symptoms of a serious gastrointestinal tract disease – up to stomach cancer.

Causes of diarrhea in adolescents

Statistics prove that the most common causes of diarrhea in adolescents are:

1. Unwashed hands;

2. Addictions causing intoxication of the body;

3. Incorrect power supply;

4. Frequent stress.

The so-called alimentary diarrhea can occur when a teenager is on a diet – in order to lose weight, there is a failure in a full-fledged diet, the body does not receive enough vitamins and minerals. As a reaction – diarrhea.

Excessive use of medicines or dietary supplements can also cause diarrhea. Then a large amount of toxic substances accumulates in the body, and diarrhea signals that an intoxication of the body has occurred.

Diarrhea against the background of neurology is also common among adolescents. Excessive nervousness, associated in many respects with changes in hormonal levels, can also cause malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Adult diarrhea

The most common causes of diarrhea in the adult population are:

1. Chaotic or excessive use of drugs, which causes dysbiosis;

2. Disturbed metabolism;

3. Hormonal disruptions;

4. Renal failure;

5. Disorders of the endocrine system;

6. Excessive or insufficient secretion of secretions of the stomach – hydrochloric acid, which leads to pancreatitis, gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Thus, diarrhea in adults is often diagnosed as one of the symptoms of a disease that has already begun in the body and requires serious examination and long-term treatment.

That is why doctors strongly recommend everyone over 45 years old to go for preventive examinations. A disease detected at an early stage of development is quickly and accurately diagnosed and relatively quickly treated. Leaving no trace. The advanced stages of the disease require long-term complex, and sometimes life-long treatment.

Source: Neoflorum

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90,000 Antibiotics for the treatment of Clostridium difficile diarrhea in adults

Relevance

Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ) is a bacterium that lives in the colon and does not cause any harm to the body. However, when a person starts taking antibiotics for any reason, the bacteria count is C.difficile can expand and almost completely replace the natural bacterial environment of the colon. This overgrowth causes diarrhea caused by the bacterium C. difficile (also known as C. difficile infection – CDI). Symptoms of the infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. The infection can be mild, but in many cases it is very serious and, if left untreated, can be fatal. There are many treatments for CDI on offer, but the most common is to stop taking the antibiotic that caused the infection and prescribe another antibiotic that kills the bacteria.Many antibiotics have been tested for efficacy in clinical trials, and this review compares these antibiotics. This review is an updated version of a previously published Cochrane Review.

Methods

We searched the literature up to January 26, 2017. All randomized clinical trials comparing two different antibiotics or dose variations of the same antibiotic for the treatment of CDI (pseudomembranous colitis) were included in the review. We searched for trials comparing antibiotics to a placebo (such as a sugar pill) or untreated trials, but with the exception of one low-quality, controlled trial with a placebo, nothing was found.Trials comparing the effects of antibiotics with other treatments were not included.

Results

Twenty-two studies (a total of 3215 participants) were included in the review. Most of the studies involved people with mild to moderate CDI infection who were able to take oral antibiotics. Sixteen of the included studies excluded participants with severe infection, and few participants with severe infection were included in other studies.Twelve different antibiotics were evaluated. Most studies have compared vancomycin or metronidazole with other antibiotics. One small study compared vancomycin to a placebo (such as a sugar pill). There were no other studies comparing antibiotic treatment with placebo or no treatment. The quality of seventeen of the 22 studies was questionable. Four studies found vancomycin to be superior to metronidazole in achieving sustained symptomatic cure (defined as resolution of diarrhea without recurrence of infection).We rated the quality of the evidence supporting this conclusion as moderate. A new antibiotic, fidaxomicin, outperformed vancomycin in two large studies. We rated the quality of the evidence supporting this conclusion as moderate. It is worth noting that the difference in efficacy between these antibiotics was not very large, and that metronidazole is less expensive than both vancomycin and fidaxomicin. A pooled analysis of two small studies showed that teicoplanin may be superior to vancomycin in achieving symptomatic cure.The quality of the evidence supporting this finding is very low. The quality of the evidence for the other seven antibiotics in this review is very low. the studies were small, and many patients left before completion. One hundred and four deaths were reported during the studies, all attributed to preexisting patient health problems. The only side effects attributed to antibiotics were rare nausea and a temporary increase in liver enzyme activity.The latest cost data (July 2016) shows cost – the cost of a 10-day course of treatment with metronidazole 500 mg, the least expensive antibiotic, would be US $ 13. The cost for vancomycin 125 mg would be US $ 1,779, compared to US $ 3,453.83 or more for fidaxomicin 200 mg, and about US $ 83.67 for teicoplanin.

Conclusions

It is impossible to draw an unambiguous conclusion regarding the treatment of a severe form of infection with antibiotics, i.e.because most of the studies excluded patients with severe disease. Due to the lack of studies with “no treatment” control groups, it is impossible to conclude about the need for antibiotic use in patients with moderate infection after stopping the antibiotic that caused the infection. However, moderate quality evidence suggests that vancomycin is superior to metronidazole and fidaxomicin is superior to vancomycin. The difference in the effectiveness of these antibiotics was small, and the advantage of metronidazole is that its price is much lower than that of other antibiotics.The quality of the evidence from the teicoplanin study was very low. Larger studies are needed to determine if teicoplanin works as well as other antibiotics.