Dr Kelly
DIARRHOEA is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements or in looseness of stool, or both. It can cause dehydration (when your body loses large amounts of water), electrolyte imbalance. Body electrolytes play a key role in the vital functioning of the body. If the body dehydration is not managed properly, it worsens and leads to death.
Here are the different types:
Acute diarrhoea, loose watery diarrhoea that lasts one to two days, is the most common. This type doesn’t need treatment and it usually goes away after a few days.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPersistent diarrhoea:
This type of diarrhea generally persists for several weeks – two to four weeks.
Chronic diarrhea:
This is the diarrhea that lasts for more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period of time, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.
There’s even a condition known as traveler’s diarrhea, which happens when you have diarrhea after being exposed to bacteria or parasites while on vacation in a developing nation. Acute diarrhea is fairly common..
Who are the people at Risk?
Anyone can get diarrhoea, but it can worsen in certain groups of people, including:
1. Young children.
2. Older adults (the elderly).
3. Those with medical conditions i.e Intestinal Bowel syndrome
Causes of Diarrhea
Infection:
Bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi are found in contaminated food or water.
Food: Food allergy and intolerance (lactose intolerance);
Medicines such as antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids contain magnesium.
Diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine, or colon, such as Crohn’s disease.
Can antibiotics cause diarrhoea?
Most antibiotics are broad-spectrum antibiotics and can cause diarrhoea; this is because antibiotics can change the balance of bacteria normally found in the intestines(normal flora) allowing certain types of bacteria like C. difficile to survive
Symptoms of diarrhoea include watery stool, abdominal bloating, nausea, fever, dehydration, among others.
Is there a colour of diarrhoea that I should be worried about?
The color of your poop (stool) can vary. Stool color can be influenced by the color of the food you eat. Usually, this isn’t something you need to worry about. But if you ever see red (blood) in your stool or have a bowel movement that is black, that could be something more serious. Keep a record of any bowel movements that;
1.Are black and tarry.
2.Have blood or pus in them.
3.Are consistently greasy or oily despite non-fatty meals.
4.Are very foul-smelling.
These will Help…
1. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water to restore body fluids lost from stooling
2. Antibiotics: An antibiotic or other medication to treat an infection or parasite that’s causing the diarrhoea
3. Medication for a specific condition: Diarrhea can be a sign of several other medical conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
4. Avoid foods and drinks that give you gas. If you experience cramping in your stomach with diarrhoea, it could help to cut back on things that cause gas.
If you have diarrhoea that fails to improve or resolve completely, you should call your healthcare provider. Keep track of any other symptoms you may be experiencing – this includes fever, vomiting, rash, weakness, numbness, lightheadedness, dizziness, weight loss and blood in your stool. If you have any concerns, it’s always best to call your healthcare provider.
Thank you for reading.
Dr Kelly
