Diarrhea can cause so much pain and inconvenience. Frequent trips to the bathroom accompanied by stomach pain, watery stools and other symptoms are situations we never want to face.
So if ever you’re in that position right now, this is the best and quickest way to know more about diarrhea treatment, what causes it, and its symptoms.
What can you read in this article?
- Diarrhea causes and symptoms
- Gastroenteritis: diarrhea and vomiting
- Diarrhea treatment and medicine
Diarrhea causes
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
When you have diarrhea, your bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery. It can appear alone or in combination with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or weight loss. It’s a fairly common occurrence that is rarely dangerous.
Diarrhea affects many people at least once a year. Some people are affected more frequently than others. It lasts two to three days on average.
A virus that enters your gut usually causes diarrhea. It’s also known as “stomach flu” or “intestinal flu.” It may also be caused by:
- Bacteria and parasites
- Medications
- Lactose intolerance
- Surgery
- Fructose
- Artificial sweeteners
- Other digestive disorders
Diarrhea for a week
When diarrhea lasts for more than a few days or weeks, it’s usually a sign of something else, such as IBS or a more serious condition like a persistent infection, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Diarrhea symptoms
The following are some of the signs and symptoms of diarrhea:
- Cramps or pain in the abdomen
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Stool with blood in it
- In the stool, there is mucus.
- I’m in desperate need of a bowel movement.
Diarrhea in babies
Infants’ stools are softer than those of adults and children. Moreover, breastfed babies actually have softer stools than formula-fed babies.
However, there is a chance that their stool is too soft or appears to be watery. When this happens, this can be a sign of diarrhea. Here are other signs that this might be diarrhea:
- No tears when crying
- Dry mouth
- Having dry skin that seems elastic
- Being irritable
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent crying
You will also notice vomiting, high fever, and having blood in their stool.
Diarrhea causes in babies
There are many things that cause diarrhea in babies. Here are some of them:
- Infections. Bacteria, viruses and parasites are involved in your baby’s body. A baby gets it when he accidentally swallows dirty things inside the house. It is also possible that his hand is full of germs and he is inclined to swallow it.
- Allergy. Babies also develop an allergic reaction to the food or medicine they eat. He may also be lactose intolerant.
- Poisoning. There is also a chance that babies are poisoned by chemicals or artificial colors of what they eat.
READ MORE:
3 Things you should remember when it comes to dealing with your kid’s diarrhea
Diarrhea during pregnancy: What moms-to-be need to know
How can you tell if your child’s persistent Diarrhea is already Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Diarrhea during pregnancy
Constipation is one of the most common pregnancy complaints, but diarrhea is also a possibility. The third trimester is the most common time for this to happen.
Though less common than constipation, loose bowel movements can be unpleasant and exhausting, especially as your pregnancy progresses; the last thing you want to do is go to the bathroom every few minutes. Dehydration is also a concern, especially because it can have a negative impact on your entire pregnancy.
Dietary changes, food allergies/sensitivities, prenatal vitamins, and hormonal changes can all cause diarrhea during pregnancy.
This digestive problem, on the other hand, can be caused by a variety of things and isn’t always related to pregnancy. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, parasites, food poisoning, stomach flu, or certain medications.
If your symptoms persist after three days, consult with your doctor immediately. Before taking any anti-diarrhea medication, make sure you get your doctor’s approval.
Gastroenteritis: Diarrhea and vomiting
Gastroenteritis is characterized by vomiting (vomiting) and diarrhea (watery bowel movements). Vomiting and diarrhea can be dangerous because they dehydrate you. When you lose too much fluid, you become dehydrated.
Gastroenteritis symptoms
Gastroenteritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the intestines (irritated). Despite the fact that it is not limited to influenza, gastroenteritis is commonly referred to as a “stomach bug” or “stomach flu.” While stomach pain is the most common symptom, gastroenteritis can also affect your small intestine and colon.
The most common symptom of gastroenteritis is diarrhea. The virus’s multiple activities cause diarrhea when it infects the GI tract during gastroenteritis.
Malabsorption occurs when enterocytes, or gut cells, are destroyed. The virus can also make it difficult to absorb water and cause secretory diarrhea, which causes loose, liquidy stools.
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever
- Headache and body pain
Diarrhea treatment
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
Diarrhea treatment medicine for babies
Most babies with diarrhea recover without medication. But doctors may also give diarrhea treatment when needed:
- Antibiotics for viral and bacterial infections.
- IV drip for babies with severe diarrhea and dehydration
- Oral rehydration
- Changing the diet of the breastfeeding mother.
Diarrhea home remedy treatment for babies
While treating your child’s diarrhea at home, here are things you should keep in mind.
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat foods with probiotics.
- Take a bath, then relax.
- Treat any rashes or skin irritation
- If it is not a symptom of a more serious condition, let the body release any toxin or bacteria
- Take over-the-counter medicines
Diarrhea home remedy: natural herbal medicine
1. Homemade electrolyte solution
The first thing to watch out for in a person with diarrhea is dehydration. A lot of water and electrolytes are lost in the body when diarrhea. Dehydration is also one of the possible causes of stomach upset.
You can make your own Gatorade at home. Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in a liter of water and drink.
2. Clear broth or juice
Drinking apple juice and clear broths help to replace the lost salt and minerals in the body due to diarrhea. Start with small sips of broth or juice until you make one cup every half hour.
Citrus, pineapple, tomato, and other juices that are not clear in color should be avoided because the acid they carry can make diarrhea even more painful.
3. White rice
Although it is difficult to eat while the stomach hurts, eating white rice can help to ease the feeling. According to nutritionist Lisa Richards of The Candida Diet, white rice is easily digested and is not irritating. Its fiber count is low so it helps stop diarrhea.
4. Ginger
Aside from helping those who are dizzy and have a sore throat, ginger is also an effective herbal remedy for diarrhea.
It warms the stomach and relaxes the digestive system. It also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties that help to cure stomach pain.
Drinking ginger tea or syrup can also help to rehydrate the body and replace the water lost due to diarrhea.
5. Probiotics
One of the fastest ways to fight bad bacteria in the stomach is to eat probiotics. Studies have found that it helps to relieve diarrhea. Probiotics can be obtained in supplements or in yogurt.
You can find more diarrhea home remedy using natural herbal plants here.
When to call your doctor
Immediately call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital if you’re experiencing the following:
- Bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
- A high fever (over 101 degrees Fahrenheit) or a fever that lasts more than 24 hours are both signs of a serious illness.
- Diarrhea that continues for more than two days
- Nausea or vomiting that prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids
- Backache or severe abdominal pain (especially in the right lower quadrant)
- After returning from a trip abroad, I developed diarrhea.
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. TheAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.
