Diseases and Procedures

Diarrhea

Who hasn't had a bout of diarrhea? It is a common problem with many causes. Defined as bowel movements that are more frequent or more watery than usual, most episodes of diarrhea usually clear up on their own in a few days. But for more serious episodes, medical treatment is occasionally necessary.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

The following are common symptoms of diarrhea:

• Looser, more watery stools than normal
• More frequent stools than normal
• More urgent need to pass stool than normal
• Pain or spasms in the digestive tract

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Things that may irritate the digestive tract and lead to diarrhea include harmful bacteria or viruses (present during a bout of food poisoning or stomach flu, for instance) or medications (especially antibiotics). Certain foods (such as spicy or fatty foods or dairy products) can cause diarrhea in some people. In others, stress and anxiety may lead to diarrhea.

EVALUATION

Most cases of diarrhea are mild and short-lived. However, you should be evaluated by a doctor if you have diarrhea that is severe or long-lasting. By performing an evaluation and possibly some tests, your doctor can confirm or rule out an infection or other underlying problem. Then the best treatment plan can be formulated.

History and Physical Exam
During your evaluation, your doctor will probably ask you questions such as:

• How long have you had diarrhea?
• What medications have you taken?
• Did you travel recently?
• Have you changed your diet recently?

Your doctor may also check to see whether you have a fever, which can be a sign of infection.

Tests
A sample of your stool may be checked for blood, bacteria, or parasites. Occasionally, if the diarrhea is persistent, special tests such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may be done to check for problems in the colon. During these tests, a lighted, flexible endoscope is used to get a close look at the inside of your colon.

TREATING DIARRHEA

The treatment of diarrhea depends on its cause. Diarrhea caused by infection needs to be treated differently from diarrhea caused by other factors. Follow your doctor's instructions closely. Also, don't take any diarrhea medications without asking your doctor first.

Getting Relief
Your doctor will tell you how best to treat diarrhea. This might include:

• Drinking plenty of clear liquids such as water, flat ginger ale, or sports drinks
• Taking certain prescribed medications (such as antibiotics for infection)
• Fasting (avoiding food)
• Eating a special diet called BRAT (short for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast)

NOTE: Antidiarrheal medications can prevent your body from ridding itself of harmful irritants (such as bacteria or viruses), so avoid these medications unless your doctor says they're OK.

When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor if you have:

• Severe pain
• High fiver or bloody stool
• Symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, dry mouth and tongue, rapid pulse, dark urine)

NORMAL BOWEL MOVEMENTS

During digestion, water and other fluids are added to the food you eat. After nutrients are removed from the food, the waste (stool) is passed on to your colon (large intestine). The colon's main job is to absorb excess water from the stool before it leaves the body. Normally, stool stays in the colon just long enough for most of the water to be absorbed, with enough left to east the passage of the stool out of the body.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is your body's response to an irritant (such as bacteria or a certain type of food) in your digestive tract. The irritant may lead to more water being secreted from the body into the digestive tract. The colon can't absorb all this excess liquid, so the stool stays loose and watery. This soft stool moves more quickly through the digestive tract, so bowel movements may happen more often. Cramps may also occur is the muscles of the colon contract irregularly.

Easing Your Recovery
To help make your recovery easier, you may want to try some of the following suggestions:

• Avoid milk, which can be hard to digest during a bout of diarrhea.
• Don't try to get back to your normal diet too quickly. Follow the instructions your doctor gives you and allow your body time to recover.
• Your body is losing water, so drink plenty of clear liquids to keep from getting dehydrated.
• Avoid caffeine-containing beverages like coffee, because caffeine makes the bowel work faster.