Diarrhoea

What is diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is a condition in which a person's faeces are discharged from the bowels frequently and in a loose, watery liquid form. It is a common disorder that usually lasts no more than a few days. If, however it lasts for weeks, it is typically a sign of something serious. Diarrhoea can be acute or chronic. If that is the case, the person might have another condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other serious disorder. During diarrhoea, a person's stools are loose and watery, accompanied by abdominal pain. An average person gets diarrhoea a few times yearly. If you have watery stools a couple of times a day and you're not drinking enough fluids, you are most likely to become dehydrated, and that can lead to a serious health problem.

What causes diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea may be caused by several factors. One of the most common causes of diarrhoea is a virus that infects your gut, a condition called 'intestinal flu' or 'stomach flu'. Some of the other causes include:

• Allergies to specific foods
• Diabetes
• Alcohol abuse
• Eating foods that can upset your digestive system
• Food poisoning
• Infection by bacteria
• Laxative abuse
• Medications
• Radiation therapy
• Diseases that affect your intestines
• Malabsorption

In more detail:

Viruses

Viruses that are associated with causing diarrhoea include the Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis. In children, rotavirus is known to be the common cause of diarrhoea. Coronavirus also consists of some symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Bacteria

Food and beverages contaminated with bacteria and parasites can also be a cause of diarrhoea. Clostridium difficile is a type of bacteria that is well-known for causing infections that spur diarrhoea.

Medications

Antibiotics can cause diarrhoea. They destroy the good and the harmful bacteria, which can cause a disturbance in the natural balance of bacteria in a person's intestines. Antacids with magnesium are also evident to cause diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance

People who are lactose intolerant can experience bacteria when they eat dairy products. It can increase with age.

Fructose malabsorption 

People who have trouble digesting fructose can experience diarrhoea after eating something with sugar found in it. This condition was formerly known as fructose intolerance.

Surgery

Abdominal surgeries are known to cause diarrhoea sometimes after the operation.

There's a common condition known as travellers' diarrhoea, which usually occurs when someone gets diarrhoea after being exposed to bacteria or parasites from another country's contamination while travelling.

What are the common symptoms of diarrhoea?

The most common signs and symptoms of diarrhoea are:

• Bloating
• Cramps
• Loose and watery stools
• Sudden feelings of a bowel movement
• Nausea and throwing up
• Blood in your stool
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Abdominal pain

Signs that you should consult a doctor

• Your diarrhoea continues longer than a few days
• You are severely dehydrated
• You have abdominal pain
• Your stool is black or bloody
• You have a high fever

Diarrhoea can cause severe conditions like dehydration because your stool is watery and you're not drinking enough fluids. People with diarrhoea can lose up to 20 litres of fluid every day.  It can be life-threatening for children and adults. The signs of dehydration are:

• Excessive thirst
• Dry skin and mouth
• Not urinating through the day
• Fatigue
• Weakness, dizziness, and lightheadedness
• Dark-coloured urine

How can diarrhoea be treated?

You can take precautionary measures to prevent diarrhoea like washing your hands frequently, especially before cooking and after using the toilet, changing diapers, sneezing, coughing, and blowing your nose. Wash your hands for at least twenty seconds. You can use a hand sanitiser if washing your hands is not an option.

Vaccination is also a way to protect yourself from certain viruses that are known to cause diarrhoea.

To get the treatment, it is important to get fully diagnosed first. When you visit a doctor, they will ask about your medical history and what medications you've previously taken and still take. They will carry a physical exam to look for signs of dehydration and belly pain. They can also order certain tests such as

• A blood test to look for certain disorders
• A colonoscopy in which a doctor might take a look into your colon to look for infections in your intestines that may be causing you diarrhoea
• Stool tests to check for bacteria and parasites
• A sigmoidoscopy that can check the rectum and lower colon for signs of intestinal diseases

In the case of mild diarrhoea, you may not need to take any medicine; however, adults can take some over-the-counter medications such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide that can help you feel better.

Prevention for traveller's diarrhoea

You can prevent your chances of getting traveller's diarrhoea by taking the following steps:

• Asking your doctor for an antibiotic treatment before you leave for another country can significantly reduce your chances of getting diarrhoea
• Avoid tap waters, ice cubes, and fruits and vegetables, which have probably been washed up by the tap water while you are on vacation
• Strictly drink bottled water while you are on vacation
• Only eat cooked food while you are on vacation
• Drink lots of water and fluids
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid touching contaminated places
• Wash your hands frequently before and after touching something that might be contaminated.

The most important thing to do while you're suffering from diarrhoea is to stay hydrated. A person should at least drink eight ounces of fluids each day. Drink electrolytes without caffeine. Chicken broth is a good home remedy to reduce your bacteria symptoms and can help you feel a lot better. Regularly drink small amounts of fluids.

From passing stools, often your rectal area can get sore and might cause you pain. In this case, take a warm bath and pat the area with a warm cloth to feel better. Applying petroleum jelly on the affected area might also work.

Your diet has a huge impact on your bowel movements and stool. Diarrhoea can be affected by what you eat and drink. There are certain foods you can eat to help your digestive system get right back on track when you are experiencing an episode of diarrhoea. Food with high fiber content such as bananas, rice, apples, and toast can help you feel a lot better in a relatively short time. These foods tend not to aggravate your digestive system, and they're known to bind a firmer stool that is needed for the treatment of diarrhoea. Other foods you can eat include cooked cereal, applesauce, apple juice, soda crackers, clear chicken broth, electrolyte-enhanced water, or water with vitamins and weak, decaffeinated tea. Once you feel a little better, you can even eat scrambled eggs to gain back the energy you have lost in the past week or so.

Can I buy diarrhoea treatment online?

Yes! You can quickly and discreetly buy diarrhoea treatment online through our website.

How long does it take to treat diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying. Going to use the bathroom so often in a day can be very exhausting and embarrassing, but you need not worry. With the proper treatment and loads of hydration, diarrhoea can be treated in 2-4 days. It is a completely treatable condition.

Patient information leaflet

Always read your patient information leaflet before starting your treatment.