Diarrhea: causes, treatment, prevention

Improper diet, insufficient water intake, constant rush and stress - all this does not in the best way affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract. The manifestation of failures can occur in a variety of ways, but especially strong and serious ones are expressed in heartburn and diarrhea. Today we will talk about the last, rather delicate issue, which they are embarrassed to talk about out loud, but worries absolutely every person. How to recognize diarrhea, where it comes from, how to get rid of it and how to prevent it - all of this today.

Diarrhea symptoms

At first glance, everything is clear, diarrhea is loose stools. However, one should distinguish a one-time unpleasant urge to the toilet with real diarrhea. Let's take a look at the main symptoms that report an ailment.

In general, since organisms are individual, everyone will tolerate diarrhea differently. If the process itself is unpleasant for some, which leads to understandable discomfort, then the other will suffer from additional symptoms.

Frequent going to the toilet. This occurs when there is a disorder in the functioning of the intestine, a malfunction of its motility and the ability to absorb nutrients. This symptom is accompanied by bloating and increased flatulence.

Loose stools. This is one of the main signs of having diarrhea. Together with feces, a lot of fluid is excreted from the body, since the intestines become unable to absorb nutrients into itself, the illusion of an excess of moisture is created and it comes out. In some cases, people may feel fluid overflowing in the abdomen.

Painful sensations in the abdomen. They can be expressed in varying degrees of severity from mild and aching to severe and intolerable pain. As a rule, localization occurs in the upper abdomen just below or just above the waist. The unpleasant symptom can be complemented by strong rumbling, bloating, and a feeling of fullness in the stomach. If the diarrhea continues for a long time, then the pain can become sharp and cutting in nature. This is due to the fact that the spasticity of the intestinal walls is uneven. Pain can also occur because there is bloating - an excess of gas in the intestine presses on its walls, which manifests itself in this way.

Sometimes diarrhea may be accompanied by vomiting. In this case, we can talk about a strong disorder, which is most likely caused by the ingress of pathogenic microbes into the body. This is how the body manifests its defense mechanisms, which help the gastrointestinal tract to bring everything out. Since vomiting and loose stools take away a lot of fluids, the person begins to feel weak.

Another severe case of diarrhea is accompanied by a high temperature, which can reach 39-40 ° C. Added to this are increased sweating, increased heart rate and weakness.

Diarrhea causes

First of all, diarrhea is a disturbance in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, and there are a lot of reasons that can cause these disturbances.

Viral and bacterial infections that enter the body, to which the intestine reacts with loose stools and abdominal pain. New food that has not been consumed before can also cause diarrhea. But here it is not so much about the local cuisine, but about the cases when people go on vacation to exotic countries, for example, and try something new. This is also called traveler's diarrhea.

Failure to comply with basic hygiene standards, when a meal is taken without washing hands, also causes unpleasant sensations. Typically, this reason is especially common among children.

The causative agents are also herpes and hepatitis viruses, as well as taking various medications, especially antibiotics.

Another cause of diarrhea is ulcerative colitis. In this case, the diarrhea is severe. However, it is possible to understand that it was he who was the cause only after a complete diagnosis, which includes an internal examination of the intestines.

But not always the reason lies at the physical level. Diarrhea can be caused by severe stress or prolonged depression... The general depression of the body does not reflect in the best way on the immune system, which leads to such phenomena.

This is just a small list of reasons, in fact, it is much longer. To effectively cure diarrhea, you need to contact a specialist and pass all the necessary tests. Then the exact provocateur will be identified, to which all efforts should be directed.

Constantly diarrhea: causes

Persistent diarrhea, on a medical level, is called chronic. Most often it occurs due to a negligent attitude towards one's health and the lack of proper treatment of the usual variety.

The intestine can no longer independently establish its work, pathogenic bacteria multiply in it. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) occurs. Abdominal pain becomes sharp, paroxysmal. The diarrhea itself can be alternated with brief constipation.

In addition, persistent diarrhea can occur due to improper nutrition, when the diet is not adjusted and there is a lot of junk food in it. At the same time, fermented milk products are completely absent, then the intestines simply have nowhere to take "helpers" who would help him cope with the stress.

Perhaps there is an intolerance to some product or element. Analyze what's new in the menu and try to eliminate the identified item. First of all, cereals and dairy products should come under suspicion.

Constant diarrhea is an alarming sign that there are some serious problems in the body, therefore, in any case, you need to contact a specialist for help.

Why diarrhea is dangerous

Since diarrhea removes a lot of fluid from the body, the first thing that it is dangerous for is dehydration. Dryness appears in the mouth, a person is thirsty, the skin becomes pale, and rare urination is observed. A symptom of severe dehydration, when you should immediately consult a doctor - a strong heartbeat, irregularities in its rhythm, a feeling that not enough air... This indicates a lack of salts in the body, which has developed due to the lack of a normal amount of fluid. Loss of water leads to a general weakening of the body and weakness. In this case, the total loss of body weight can reach 4%. If you find signs of dehydration in yourself or your loved ones, you should take a saline solution right away.

An equally threatening consequence of diarrhea is the loss of beneficial trace elements and vitamins that were excreted along with loose stools. This leads to a worsening of the patient's condition, loss of appetite, headaches (up to migraine), a decrease in the immune system, hair loss, the appearance of their dullness. It is possible to eliminate this consequence with the help of vitamin and mineral complexes, which the doctor prescribes.

If the disease is left untreated and diarrhea persists for a long time, more serious persistent disorders may develop that require specialized intervention from doctors. The most common complication is dysbiosis, when pathogenic microorganisms predominate in the intestines. Then the diarrhea becomes chronic, alternating from time to time with constipation. In this case, without complete and high-quality restoration of the intestinal microflora, its work cannot be established.

Diarrhea indicates that there are pathogenic microbes in the body, which are active. Waste produced by these organisms are toxic substances that provoke poisoning of the human body. Intoxication occurs. All this, penetrating into the lymphatic and circulatory system, enters other places, which causes disturbances in the work of other organs, for example, renal failure.

Diarrhea and fever

The presence of a temperature in case of diarrhea indicates that the body is waging a fierce struggle between "good and evil", namely, the body is trying to remove the pathogenic microbes that have got into it.

Basically, this condition indicates food poisoning. In this regard, it is by no means possible to ignore the symptoms, thinking that everything will go away by itself. It is urgent to take measures to normalize the condition. First, you need to drink a lot of liquid, in which you must first dissolve a little salt in order to replenish the water-salt balance. Secondly, you should immediately call an ambulance until the patient gets worse.

In fairness, it is worth noting another situation, when first there is a temperature, and only then diarrhea. These are two different things. In this case, it is the first that provokes the second. So, probably everyone noticed that diarrhea often comes at the time of colds. During this period, the body is weakened, the immune system fights off the attacking microbes, and at the same time, the gastrointestinal tract also weakens. Then diarrhea with fever can be considered a completely natural process. As soon as the general condition improves and the body begins the recovery process, the diarrhea will go away on its own.

Nausea and diarrhea

Nausea almost always accompanies diarrhea, as a completely natural reaction to a disorder of the digestive system. Often, it does not arise immediately, but after some time and manifests itself from the fact that the stomach hurts and blows. If you feel nausea with diarrhea, then you can be calm.

However, if nausea turns into vomiting, then you need to sound the alarm. Most likely, this is, as in the previous case, an ardent sign of poisoning. With diarrhea, the body is already experiencing stress and loss of nutrients and fluids, with vomiting, this process is doubled. In this case, it is better not to self-medicate, but call an ambulance, so as not to aggravate an already not good situation.

Diarrhea during pregnancy

There are constant changes in the body of a pregnant woman, which may well explain the diarrhea. If it proceeds without additional symptoms and is observed from time to time, then you can take it for a natural process. However, it is still worth notifying your doctor about this.

With prolonged diarrhea, which is accompanied by additional symptoms, you should immediately inform the doctor about it. Dehydration is dangerous for a person in a normal state, for a pregnant woman it is fraught with more serious complications.

In an "interesting" position, a colossal amount of vitamins and minerals is required, which, as you know, safely leave the body at such moments. Therefore, you should not ignore the signals of your body, but try to prevent or treat an already onset ailment.

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy

During pregnancy, rice is a good option for controlling diarrhea. Do not rinse it too much, you need it to be a little sticky after cooking.

Drink dried fruit compote or make jelly with potato starch.

Pour the finely chopped pear with a couple of glasses of boiling water and put on low heat for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for about 4 hours. Drink the resulting composition in 0.5 cups throughout the day.

Try to starve for a day, and as soon as the diarrhea subsides, eat a crouton of white bread with weakly brewed tea. Drink plenty of water to make up for lost water. Talk to your doctor and have him prescribe a gentle drug that will not adversely affect you or your child.

Diarrhea with menstruation

In general, diarrhea during menstruation is normal. Some ladies have already got used to it and have come to terms with the current situation. In principle, a day or two frustration before "these" days, or directly on "these" days is a natural process and it is unnecessary to take any action.

However, if diarrhea continues after critical days, while accompanied by nausea and vomiting, this is unlikely to have something to do with the cycle. There is another reason here, with which you need to contact specialists.

Diarrhea in a child

In general, diarrhea can be ranked among the most popular problems in children... Since in the process of partying and ordinary life, eating sweets on the street with dirty hands is a favorite pastime for children. In addition, it is not always possible to properly monitor the child's diet, especially when it comes time for kindergarten and schools.

If the baby has diarrhea, which is accompanied by vomiting and severe abdominal pain, call an ambulance immediately! With this, jokes are bad and the child's condition can begin to deteriorate at any time.

You can compare the symptoms with possible diseases and causes:

• If diarrhea occurs suddenly, vomiting and nausea is observed, there is a slightly high temperature - most likely, this is a viral gastroenteritis.
• If the temperature is high, while diarrhea can be with or without vomiting, and blood or mucus can be seen in the feces itself - this is similar to an intestinal bacterial infection.
• If the disorder has been observed for more than two days, but the general condition is within the normal range and the child is feeling well, remember how many juices he drank in the last days. These symptoms are similar to the non-specific diarrhea that occurs with overuse of fruit drinks.
• In acute diarrhea, severe nausea and vomiting, headache, and high fever, suspect food poisoning.
• If a very young child has bloating, cramps, increased gas production, shortness of breath and diarrhea, this is most likely a parasitic invasion. You will need to be tested for worms.
• If the child is taking any medications, then such a reaction may be a side effect.
• With frequent diarrhea, which is accompanied by bloating and pain, cramps, nausea and increased gas production, while diarrhea occasionally gives way to constipation, this is similar to irritable bowel syndrome.
• Does the stool have an extremely unpleasant odor, is it enlarged, has a light color, and at the same time there are problems with weight gain? There must be insufficient digestion.
• If a child has blood in his stool, he complains of joint pain, he has poor appetite, increased fatigue and nausea - you need to diagnose Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Treatment of diarrhea in children

In general, everything with regards to children is highly discouraged to self-medicate. A child's body functions differently than an adult, so any wrong decision and the situation will get worse.

It is recommended that you give your child something tough, such as croutons, dryers, biscuits, or other foods from the same category. It is good for the patient to take compote made from pears, while the pears themselves cannot be eaten.

Here are some traditional medicine recipes that can be helpful in treating childhood diarrhea.

• In a glass of warm boiled water, dilute a small spoonful (without a slide) of potato starch. As soon as the latter is completely dissolved, give the composition to the child to drink. Reception is carried out hourly.
• Soak about 100 g of bread crumbs made from rye flour in warm water and let it brew. Give the prepared solution to the child during the day.
• Mash the rose hips (about 150 g) thoroughly to make a gruel, let it stand for seven minutes. Give the prepared mass in small portions to the child throughout the day, one hour before meals. If the child is very small, then this recipe cannot be used.

The above recipes act as first aid, in any case, you need to show a big doctor, and then follow the recommendations given to them.

Diarrhea remedy

All medications should be prescribed by a doctor, based on the specific situation and individual characteristics of his patient. Below are general medications that can provide temporary relief. Before use, always carefully read the instructions, check the contraindications and do not exceed the indicated dosage.

Probiotics that help restore intestinal microflora:

• Lactobacterin.
• Bificol.
• Bifidobacterin.
• Linex.
• Bifiform.
• Acylact.
• Normobact.
• Hilak forte.

Drugs that slow down the peristalis and relieve diarrhea:

• Imodium.
• Loperamide.
• Diara.
• Suprilol.
• Stoperan.
• Lopedium.

Antimicrobial drugs:

• Stopdiar.
• Phthalazol.
• Furazolidone.
• Sulgin.
• Tannakp.

Medicines for diarrhea:

• Enterosgel.
• Smecta.
• Polysorb.
• Activated carbon.
• Polyphepan.
• Tour.

Diet for diarrhea

If you find diarrhea, then first of all you need to pay attention to your diet.

Drink at least a glass of liquid after each visit to the toilet, so as not to provoke dehydration. In this case, it is useful to use weakly concentrated tea, apple juice, low-fat broth.

For problems with stool, try to include pectin-rich foods in the menu: apples, bananas, yoghurts.

Potassium is useful, which is the first to leave the body with diarrhea. It is abundant in fruit juices and bananas.

Do not forget to add salt to food, it helps to retain water in the body. Crumbs, crackers, dryers, etc. are also useful.

During diarrhea, lean on proteins: chicken, turkey, beef, eggs. This will help you gain strength and fight fatigue.

Try to eat processed fruits and vegetables, as some of them raw can make problems worse.

Remove gum and soda from your diet, they contribute to the deterioration of the digestive tract. Nuts, bran, whole grain bread, alcohol - all this is prohibited for diarrhea.

How to treat diarrhea

Effective treatment consists in qualitative identification of the cause, which served as changes in the body and its elimination. And since there are a great many reasons, it is better to seek the help of a specialist for the detection of a focus of inflammation.

After that, the doctor will prescribe the procedures. Typically, medical professionals use medication. However, you can talk with your doctor about the possibility of treatment with traditional medicine recipes. If you are missing allergy components, there is no individual intolerance and contraindications, it is unlikely that the specialist will be against it.

Below are some effective recipes for diarrhea.

Folk remedies for diarrhea

• Pour a tablespoon of the insides of a walnut with half a liter of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. After that, strain the infusion and drink a glass on an empty stomach daily.
• Well helps from diarrhea infusion of wormwood on vodka. You need to take 20 drops every 3 hours.
• Make applesauce. Peel the fruit off before doing this. One apple puree should be eaten every two hours.
• Pour 0.5 tablespoon of dry oak bark with a glass of boiling water and boil for about half an hour. Drink 2 tbsp. l. three times a day.
• Boiled rice helps a lot.
• Pour a tablespoon of dry herb St. John's wort with a glass of boiling water. Drink the cooled composition in a third of a glass half an hour before meals, 3 times a day.
• In the same proportions and according to the same principle, you can prepare an alder decoction. It should be taken in a tablespoon 4 times a day.

Prevention of diarrhea

As a rule, diarrhea manifests itself in the summer season, so during this period you need to be extremely careful. This is due to the fact that in the heat in the sun there is an active multiplication of pathogens, which strive to get into a person. Fruit, food, hands, animals are all potential sources of diarrhea.

Wash your hands regularly with antibacterial soap before eating. Pay special attention to the process after walking, visiting public toilets. Rinse vegetables, fruits and other foods thoroughly. It is also advisable to do this with soap in order to carry out high-quality disinfection, or scald them with boiling water. Try not to eat outside when there is no way to clean everything, or carry with you a special antiseptic gel that you can buy at any pharmacy.

Cook meat, eggs, milk, fish and other protein-containing foods thoroughly. Store ready meals strictly in the refrigerator. If there is the slightest doubt about the freshness of the product, do not take risks and do not eat it.

Try to eat less in tents, and buy food in trusted places. Always check the expiration date before paying.

Review your diet, make sure that it contains healthy dishes, and harmful ones are close to a minimum. Eat fermented milk products regularly, which will help to establish intestinal microflora.

The cleansing process plays an important role in the health of the body. From time to time, you need to cleanse the intestines from all kinds of toxins and toxins. Since their excess can also cause intoxication and diarrhea.