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What is Diarrhea? |
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Symptoms
Even in its mildest form, diarrhea can be quite a discomfiting digestive disorder, and everyone will inevitably experience the condition at some point in life. Loose bowel movement (with a similar stool consistency) is indicative of diarrhea, and is normally experienced for a couple of days at most. The condition often forces the patient to relieve himself more frequently, releasing greater amounts of watery stool each time. Chronic cases of diarrhea last for longer periods than acute (normal) diarrhea, for up to more than a month at a time. If the condition persists, the patient loses substantial amounts of water and saline in their bodies, causing dehydration. Abdominal cramps and pain, bloating, and fever, may also be indications of diarrhea.
Causes
Most of the food which goes through the body retains their liquid form during digestion, and any unabsorbed portions which is filtered through the colon comes out as stool. With diarrhea, the food passes through the colon too rapidly or in very large amounts, and since the fluids can’t be amply absorbed with haste, this results in watery stool. The colon may also be swollen or diseased, and its function hampered. Viruses, bacteria, and parasitic organisms are the usual causes of diarrhea. Viral diarrhea develops quickly due to the speed at which viruses multiply; if the food or water which a person takes is contaminated with bacteria and parasites, these survive digestion and thrive in the body. Other causes of the condition include the intake of lactose and artificial sweeteners, digestive disorders like Crohn’s and Celiac disease, abdominal or gallbladder surgery, and medications.
Diagnosis
If a patient bears diarrhea in a severity which necessitates medical attention, the physician will inquire about the symptoms, and observe physical signs in order to ascertain if the patient is dehydrated. The latter should also inform the attending physician regarding any current medications, including those which are purchased over the counter, as these can be the cause of the condition. The doctor then examines the patient’s abdomen by applying pressure on various points, he may listen through it with a stethoscope, or he can conduct a rectal exam. A blood or stool test may be recommended to look for indications of an infection or another complication.
Treatment Info
Majority of diarrhea cases usually subside after a few days, even without treatment. In such instances, the physician will recommend that the patient replenishes the fluids which were lost during the condition, with plenty of water and oral salts. The body will require ample amounts of electrolytes, as well as minerals like sodium and potassium; these are necessary for the maintenance of the electric currents which allow the heart to keep beating. If an antibiotic medication is pinpointed to be the cause of the diarrhea, the patient needs to stop taking them, and opt for an alternative treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the cause of the condition is a parasitic or bacterial infection, but these won’t be able to deal with a viral infection. Chronic cases of diarrhea may be treated by dealing with the underlying condition.
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