Gut Health Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome Nutritional Deficiency

Diarrhea

Time to read 4 min

  • Viruses. Viruses that can cause diarrhea include Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis. Rotavirus is a common cause of acute childhood diarrhea.
  • Bacteria and parasites. Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to your body. Parasites such as Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea. Common bacterial causes of diarrhea include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
  • Medications. Many medications can cause diarrhea. The most common are antibiotics, which destroy good and bad bacteria and can disturb the natural balance of bacteria in your intestines.
  • Lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Many people have difficulty digesting lactose and experience diarrhea after eating dairy products. How to eliminate intolerance.
  • Fructose. Fructose, a sugar found naturally in fruits and honey and added as a sweetener to some beverages, can cause diarrhea in people who have trouble digesting it.
  • Artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol and mannitol, artificial sweeteners found in chewing gum and other sugar-free products, can cause diarrhea in some people.
  • Surgery. Some people may experience diarrhea after undergoing abdominal surgery or gallbladder removal surgery.
  • Other digestive disorders. Several conditions may cause chronic diarrhea including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. These are chronic gut conditions.
    • Drink plenty of clear liquids. This includes water, juice, and broth. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Prolonged or severe diarrhea can create an electrolyte imbalance. Fruit juices supplies needed potassium, and soup or broth needed sodium. Some sports drinks also contain electrolytes.
    • Avoid certain foods. Dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods, or highly seasoned foods can worsen symptoms.
    • Consider anti-diarrheal medications.
    • Try probiotics. Probiotics contain strains of living bacteria similar to the healthy bacteria normally found in your digestive system. Probiotics may boost the number of healthy bacteria present to fight germs in your digestive tract. Probiotics are found in some yogurts and cheese and are sold as supplements.
    • Add low-fiber foods gradually. As your bowel movements return to normal, try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.

      If self-care doesn’t work, see a doctor. He or she may recommend:
      • Antibiotics. Antibiotics may help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics won’t help.
      • Fluid replacement. For most people, replacing fluids means drinking water, juice, or broth. If drinking liquids upsets your stomach or causes diarrhea, your doctor may recommend getting fluids through a vein in your arm.
      • Medication adjustment. If an antibiotic or another medication is causing your diarrhea, your doctor may modify the dose or switch to a different medication.

        Risks of Diarrhea

        Although it is well established that most cases of diarrhea can go away on its own, there are others that can be fatal. Persistent diarrhea can cause severe dehydration which can wear you out and with lack of fluids in your body. Other affects can be organ shock or failure, loss of consciousness, or even coma. Seek medical attention if you find your symptoms of diarrhea to be more than you can bear.

        Prevention of Diarrhea

        Considering diarrhea is the manifestation of bacterial infection, it is important to stay hygienic to avoid being at risk altogether. Here are some ways to do that -
        • Frequently wash your hands
        • Use hand sanitisers that are alcohol based to effectively kill the risk of bacterial infection
        • Choose safely cooked food that are devoid of risks pertaining to bacteria or virus.

          While the above steps may work on an overall level, it is also important to maintain a healthy decorum when you are travelling because traveler's diarrhea is very much a thing. Here are some disease control tips to follow while on a trip -
          • Peel raw fruits and vegetables before you consume them.
          • Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats or fish to stay away from foodborne illness.
          • Stay away from tap water or ice made from tap water.
          • Avoid eating from places that don't go through enough sterilisation for their meals.

            Irritable Bowel Syndrome

            If you are looking to know how IBS is different from diarrhea and if you should take a different stab at it, then you're at the right place.

            Irritable bowel syndrome affects the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract giving rise to symptoms such as bloating, cramps, gas, and other bacterial infections.

            Even though IBS is a common condition, only a few affected people suffer the severity. This can be counteracted by appropriate counseling by a medical professional.

            Managing Diarrhea

            Living with diarrhea can mean scrutinising the lifestyle choices you make and managing the symtoms on your own. So the easiest way to keep it under control is to turn to home remedies.

            Hydrating

            Staying hydrated throughout the day with enough fluids can avoid both chronic diarrhea and acute diarrhea. Make sure you carry around a water bottle wherever you go and complete your target of 2-3 litres every day.

            Avoiding caffeine

            Staying coffee might not cause any dire effects on your body until you have diarrhea. Limiting your caffeine intake curb your diarrhea and watery stools.

            Avoid foods that cause gas

            Beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and fizzy drinks cause gas and should be avoided during diarrhea..

            Conclusion

            Knowing how your body reacts to certain foods and treating underlying conditions is crucial is trying to manage symptoms of diarrhea. Food poisoning and lost fluids is one of the key reasons to having diarrhea on a consistent basis. Managing this by adhering to a healthy lifestyle can help combat these and help you have a happy gut.

            Get expert help with digestive issues.

             * * Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).

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