Acute Diarrhea: Recognition And Treatment

Diarrhea is a frequent and often non-serious problem. However, that persistence requires further investigation. What is the cause of this metastasis disorder? What is the treatment?

When should I worry about diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as being too soft or even fluid stool being drained. They are also bigger and more numerous. Diarrhea occurs when there are 3 or more loose or liquid stools per day. There are two types, acute or chronic, depending on the frequency of the disorder. In both cases, there can be many causes. You need to worry when diarrhea lasts more than 2 days or is accompanied by:

• Symptoms of dehydration, especially in children and the elderly;
• Fever (above 38.5 ° C);
• Severe abdominal pain;
• Blood in the stool;
• After the trip;
• After taking antibiotics.

Causes of acute diarrhea

Seizures of acute diarrhea are seizures that appear suddenly. They are often associated with food poisoning, i.e. food intake of bacteria or toxins (a type of poison produced by bacteria). In this case, the barrier is attacked by intruders. Absorption of water is no longer carried out, there are also excessive discharge. The best known bacteria are Staphylococcus and the famous Salmonella. In this case, diarrhea occurs hours to tens of hours, especially after meals containing cold ham or dairy products, and is accompanied by fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Sometimes acute diarrhea is caused by a virus. This is the case with the famous gastroenteritis. In addition to bowel disease, it causes fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache or muscle pain. Some medications (such as antibiotics) can also cause diarrhea, stress, or food intolerance (lactose, gluten, etc.).

Treatment of acute diarrhea: Rehydration first!

Acute diarrhea often does not require extensive medical examination. The greatest risk is dehydration, especially when it affects children, the elderly and patients. Therefore, general treatment always includes:

• Oral rehydration (water, sugar and salt);
• With intestinal preservatives;
• Laxatives;
• Use of antispasmodics in case of abdominal pain;
• In severe forms (fever, blood in the stool, very abundant diarrhea), antibiotics are required.
• Then it is necessary to make a plan to restore the intestinal flora, for example, eating yogurt.

Some foods, such as green fruits and vegetables, spicy dishes, frozen foods or drinks, should be avoided.

How to recognize chronic diarrhea?

Diarrhea is chronic when it lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks. The causes can be many in this situation. Benign lesions of the colon are common. More rarely, thyroid problems, inflammation of the intestine, parasites, or sometimes tumors may be involved. Diarrhea can also be attributed to large and prolonged absorption of laxative products. Some antibiotics can also cause it.

Diarrhea: If you need to consult a doctor

Most of them are benign, but there are signs that should be warned and encouraged to consult a doctor. If diarrhea lasts several days in a row, especially when it is very abundant:

• If the stool contains blood or mucus;
• You have symptoms of dehydration (thirst, dry mouth, little urine).
• I have severe abdominal pain.
• If diarrhea occurs again on a trip to the tropics;
• If you suspect an infectious disease
• Systematically in case of infant diarrhea.