Are you also feeling sick? Let's learn about diarrhea.

Oh my, I had to go to the toilet again! It's not good to have watery bowel movements several times a day, isn't it? Some people are disgusted by the word "diarrhea". But this can happen to any of us, and it's very common. But when you think about why this is happening and how long it will last, you get even more worried.

What is diarrhea? To be precise...

Simply put, diarrhea is when your stools are loose, meaning watery. It can happen several times a day, not normally. Most of the time, it will go away in two or three days, so it's nothing to worry about. However, sometimes diarrhea can be a sign of something more serious. It can also lead to dehydration, or a lack of nutrients. So it's important to know what the symptoms are, when to see a doctor, and when to just stay home.

What are the types of diarrhea?

The names given to diarrhea vary slightly depending on the duration of the illness. Let's see what they are.

Acute Diarrhea

This is the most common type of diarrhea. It lasts for a day or two and is usually watery. Most of the time, it goes away without any special treatment. You've probably had this happen to you, right? Maybe you ate something undigested or had a minor stomach upset.

Persistent Diarrhea

This type of diarrhea can last from two to four weeks. It can be a bit annoying, as you may feel an upset stomach for several days.

Chronic diarrhea

This is the type we should be most concerned about. If diarrhea lasts for more than four weeks, or if it becomes severe and reoccurs, it is considered chronic diarrhea . This could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Therefore, you should definitely see a doctor for advice.

How common is diarrhea?

This is actually very common. It can affect anyone, from young children to adults. Think about it, an average adult gets diarrhea at least once a year. Young children may get it about twice a year. So this is not something that happens to you alone.

Why do we get diarrhea? There are many reasons!

The main cause of diarrhea is a virus that enters the intestines and causes an infection. Some people also call this a "stomach flu" or a "stomach bug." But there are many other causes of diarrhea. Let's take a look at those as well.

• Infections : Various pathogens, namely viruses , bacteria, and parasitesDiarrhea can be caused by infections. The most common cause of diarrhea in adults is gastroenteritis caused by the Norovirus . The main cause of sudden diarrhea in young children is Rotavirus .

• Food Poisoning : Unsafe, spoiled food can introduce harmful toxins and pathogens into our bodies. When these enter the intestines, they cause diarrhea. You may have heard of "traveler's diarrhea." This is diarrhea that occurs when we travel to an unfamiliar environment, especially a place with poor hygiene . Most often, this is caused by a bacterial infection. Imagine a time when you went on vacation and ate out and got sick.

• Medications: Diarrhea can be a side effect of some medications. For example, antibiotics kill bad bacteria that make us sick, but they can also kill good bacteria in our bodies. When these good bacteria are reduced, diarrhea can also occur. Also, some antacids that contain magnesium, some cancer medications, and treatments can cause diarrhea. Overuse of laxatives can also cause diarrhea.

• Foods that upset your digestive system: If you are lactose intolerant , your body has difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This can cause diarrhea. Some people also have difficulty digesting fructose, a sugar found in fruits and honey, which is also used to sweeten foods. People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat flour, and this can cause diarrhea.

• Diseases affecting your bowels: Diarrhea is a common symptom of some diseases that cause inflammation and irritation in the intestines. Conditions such as Crohn's disease , ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause diarrhea. If you have a condition like IBS, stress and anxiety can make your symptoms worse.

• Bowel surgery (Procedures on your bowels):Many people experience diarrhea after having surgery on their intestines. It can take a while for your digestive system to absorb nutrients from the food you eat and to form solid stools from waste products.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

The main symptom of diarrhea is loose, watery stools. In addition, there are several other common symptoms:

• Bloating or stomach ache.
• A feeling of having to defecate quickly and urgently.
• Nausea (feeling like your stomach is turning over).

If these symptoms only last a few days, there is usually no need to see a doctor.

Symptoms of severe diarrhea - If you have these, see a doctor immediately!

Sometimes diarrhea can be severe. This means it could be a sign of a serious underlying infection that won't get better without treatment. If you have diarrhea along with these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor:

• Fever.
• Severe pain.
• Vomiting.
• Passing blood or mucus with the stool.
• Weight loss (this means your body is not absorbing nutrients properly).

Be careful about dehydration!

The biggest risk with diarrhea is dehydration, which is the loss of water from the body. This can be especially dangerous for young children, people over 65, and those with weakened immune systems. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, or even death.

If these are signs of dehydration, seek medical advice immediately:

* Headache (or head ache ).

* The skin becomes red and dry.

* Anxiety and confusion.

* Severe nausea and vomiting.

* Dizziness.

* Extreme fatigue that does not subside even after rest.

* Dark-colored urine, little or no urine output.

Signs of dehydration in infants and young children:

• Fewer than six wet nappies per day (infants).
• No wet nappies or no urination for eight hours (young children).
• No tears when crying (infants and young children).

What are the complications that can occur due to diarrhea?

As we've discussed before, dehydration is the main and most dangerous complication. Also, if diarrhea continues, it can lead to conditions like malnutrition because the body can't properly absorb the nutrients it needs.

How to recognize diarrhea?

Most of the time, normal diarrhea doesn't require any specific diagnosis or treatment. But in severe cases, your doctor will try to find the cause. They will ask about your medical history, any family history of illness, any recent travel history, and any contact with anyone who is sick. They may also do tests such as:

• Blood tests: Check for certain medical conditions that may be causing diarrhea.
• Stool test: Checks for blood, bacterial infections, and parasites in the stool.
• Hydrogen breath test: Check for lactose or fructose allergy, or bacterial overgrowth.
• Endoscopy: To check for structural problems in the upper and lower digestive tract that could be causing diarrhea, such as tumors, ulcers, or cancer.

How to treat diarrhea?

You can often treat diarrhea at home. Some over-the-counter diarrhea medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate (available in some countries under the brand names Pepto-Bismol® or Kaopectate®), can provide quick relief. However, if your diarrhea doesn't improve after a few days, or if it's accompanied by symptoms of severe diarrhea, you should definitely see a doctor. Your doctor may suggest treatments such as:

• Antibiotics or Antiparasitics: These medications kill pathogens that cause infections.
• Medications for chronic conditions: Treating underlying conditions that cause diarrhea, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBS , may also reduce diarrhea.
• Probiotics: Probiotics help fight diarrhea by replenishing the good bacteria in your gut. Your doctor may recommend that you try these. But remember, don't start any probiotics or other supplements without first consulting your doctor.

Can diarrhea be cured without medication?

Yes, acute diarrhea can often be cured with simple home remedies.

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids that contain electrolytes. This includes diluted, unsweetened fruit juices, soups, sports drinks (such as Gatorade®), and non-caffeinated soft drinks. These drinks help replace water and electrolytes lost from diarrhea. Electrolytes are substances that help our bodies maintain important functions, such as maintaining fluid balance. In our country, "Jeevani" is a great drink for times like these.
• Choose foods that can thicken your stool.Some foods that are low in fiber can cause stool to become hard. Try the BRAT diet : (B) Bananas, (R) White Rice, (A) Applesauce, and (T) Bread. Things like potatoes, noodles, lean beef, fish, and skinless chicken or turkey are also good. Changing what you eat can help a lot.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeinated foods and drinks can have mild laxative effects and can worsen diarrhea. So stay away from things like coffee, tea, green tea, and chocolate. Alcohol consumption can also cause dehydration.
• Avoid foods that make you gassy. Avoiding foods like beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, beer, and carbonated drinks can help reduce stomach upset. Sometimes diarrhea can cause you to become temporarily lactose intolerant. So it's best to avoid dairy until your diarrhea is better.

How to reduce the discomfort caused by diarrhea?

Diarrhea can cause pain, itching, and burning around your anus. You may also feel pain when you have a bowel movement. To reduce this pain, you can take a sitz bath with some warm water in a basin. After getting out of the water, gently pat the area around your anus dry, but do not rub vigorously. Applying petroleum jelly or a hemorrhoid cream to the area around your anus can also help reduce irritation.

What should I do if my baby or toddler has diarrhea?

If your child has severe diarrhea, call your pediatrician right away. Treatment for diarrhea in children is different from treatment for adults. Some over-the-counter medications can be harmful to children. Also, children are more at risk of dehydration than adults. Your doctor will tell you the best way to keep them hydrated. But you can do things like:

• Breast milk.
• Milk powder.
• For older children, electrolyte drinks (e.g., Pedialyte®, in our country, "Jeevani" is suitable) are suitable (it is not recommended to give these to infants without medical advice).

The best options for keeping your child hydrated may change as they age. Always ask a doctor before giving your child a new fluid or any type of treatment.

Can diarrhea be prevented?

Although you can't always prevent diarrhea, you can reduce your risk of developing diarrhea due to infections or contaminated food.

• Follow good hygiene practices: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom, before preparing food, and before eating. Or use hand sanitizer.
• Get vaccinated: The rotavirus vaccine prevents diarrhea caused by rotavirus. COVID-19The vaccine can reduce the risk of developing COVID and the risk of developing COVID symptoms, including diarrhea.
• Store food properly: Store food at the correct temperature, and cook all foods to the recommended temperature. Don't take risks by consuming expired food.
• Be careful about what you drink when traveling: Do not drink untreated water when traveling. Avoid tap water, ice cubes, or brushing your teeth with tap water. Stay away from unpasteurized milk or fruit juices. Pasteurization is a process that kills germs in some beverages. If in doubt, drink bottled water or something that has been boiled first (coffee, tea).
• Be careful about what you eat while traveling: Avoid raw or undercooked meat (including seafood), as well as raw fruits and vegetables. While fruits and vegetables are generally healthy, the impurities in their skins can make you sick.

When should you talk to a doctor about diarrhea?

If your diarrhea doesn't improve after a few days, or if it gets better and then comes back, talk to your doctor . If you have symptoms like fever, severe pain, or blood in your stool along with your diarrhea, see a doctor right away. If you have signs of dehydration, definitely see a doctor, as it can become serious if left untreated.

Some important things for you (Take-Home Message)

Going to the bathroom, having a bowel movement, that is, defecating, is a normal part of our lives. That's why diarrhea can be so uncomfortable. It disrupts our normal daily routine. Most of the time, diarrhea is a temporary condition that gets better in a few days. But if it doesn't, or if you have symptoms of severe diarrhea, see your doctor. Don't be embarrassed about it. Diarrhea is a very common condition that your doctor knows very well. He or she will advise you on the best ways to get relief quickly. Stay healthy!

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