Diarrhea

Diarrhea - laxity, fluid, and possibly recurrence - is a common problem. It may be solitary or associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or weight loss. Fortunately, diarrhea usually lasts a short time, not lasting more than a few days. Fortunately, diarrhea usually lasts a short time, not lasting more than a few days. But if diarrhea lasts a few days to weeks, it usually indicates another problem - such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or more serious illness, including progressive infection, celiac disease, or tuberculosis (IBD). Symptoms:  Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea (loose stools, fluid) may include: abdominal cramps or pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, the mucus in the stool, and an urgent need for bowel movements.  When to see a doctor? If you are an adult, see your doctor if: your diarrhea lasts for more than two days without getting better, you are dehydrated, you have severe abdominal or back pain, you have bloody or black stools and you have a fever of more than 102 F (39 C). In children, especially young children, diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration. Dehydration: You have a fever of more than 102 F (39 C) and it has bloody or black stools. Causes; many diseases and conditions can cause diarrhea, including Bacteria; the germs that can cause diarrhea include Norwalk virus (also known as norovirus), enteric adenoviruses, astrovirus, cytomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis. Rotavirus is a common cause of serious childhood diarrhea. The virus that causes coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has also been linked to stomach symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Virus and parasites; exposure to pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli or parasites with food or contaminated water, leading to diarrhea. When traveling in developing lands, diarrhea caused by bacteria and parasites is often referred to as diarrhea. Clostridioides rocks (also known as C. diff) are another type of bacterium that causes diarrhea and can occur after a course of antibiotics or during hospitalization. Medications; many medicines, such as antibiotics, can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics reduce disease by killing bad germs, but they also kill good germs. This disrupts the natural balance of bacteria in your gut, leading to diarrhea or high-grade C-like infections. Other drugs that cause diarrhea are anti-cancer drugs and antacids containing magnesium. Lactose intolerance; Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. People with lactose intolerance have diarrhea after eating dairy products. Lactose intolerance can increase with age as the enzyme levels that help digest lactose decrease as you grow older. Fructose is a sugar found naturally in fruits and honey. It is sometimes added as a sweetener to certain beverages. Fructose can lead to diarrhea in people with digestive problems. Synthetic sweeteners: Sorbitol, erythritol, and mannitol - sweeteners made from unsweetened sugar found in chewing gum and other sugar-free products - can cause diarrhea in some healthy people. Surgery: Partial bowel surgery or gall bladder removal can sometimes cause diarrhea. Other digestive disorders; Chronic diarrhea has several other causes, such as IBS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, and growths in the small intestine (SIBO). Complications: Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which can be dangerous to health if left untreated. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, adults, and those with weakened immune systems. If you have symptoms of severe dehydration, seek medical help. Signs of dehydration in adults: These include; excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little urination or not, weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, and black urine. Symptoms of dehydration in infants and toddlers: These include; not having a wet diaper for three hours or more, dry mouth and tongue, temperatures above 102 F (39 C), with tears in his eyes, drowsiness, unresponsiveness or irritability, and sunken appearance in the abdomen, eyes or cheeks.

Prevention: Prevention of infectious diarrhea; wash your hands to prevent the spread of contagious diarrhea. Ensuring adequate handwashing: Wash regularly: wash hands before and after preparing food. Wash your hands after handling raw meat, using the toilet, changing diapers, sneezing, coughing, and sniffing. Lather with soap for at least 20 seconds; after putting the soap in your hands, rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. This is almost as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Use a hand disinfectant when washing is not possible; use an alcohol-based disinfectant if you cannot get to the sink. Apply the hand cleaner the way you would a hand scrub, making sure to cover the front and back of both hands. Use a product that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Vaccination; you can help protect your baby from rotavirus, the most common cause of viral diarrhea in children, with one of two approved vaccinations. Ask your baby's doctor about vaccinating your baby. Preventing diarrhea in travelers; diarrhea usually affects people who visit countries where there is adequate sanitation and contaminated food. Reduce your risk: be careful what you eat; eat hot, well-cooked food. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself. Also, avoid raw or undercooked meat and dairy products. Be careful what you drink; drink bottled water, soda, beer, or wine given in its first container. Avoid tap water and ice cubes. Use bottled water and even a toothbrush. Keep your mouth shut while you bathe. Drinks made from boiled water, such as coffee and tea, are probably safer. Remember that alcohol and caffeine can worsen diarrhea and worsen dehydration. Ask your doctor about antibiotics; if you are traveling to a developing country for a long time, ask your doctor about antibiotics before you leave, especially if you have a weakened immune system. Check out travel warnings; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain a visitor health website where disease warnings are sent to various countries. If you are planning to travel outside the United States, check there for warnings and tips to reduce your risk.

Samina Zaheer (Health Tips, Health Care)