Consult by phone about diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea - why diarrhea becomes frequent and how to get rid of it

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom that can be caused by various reasons. Usually the causes of diarrhea are quickly identified. Diarrhea is often accompanied by abdominal cramps, or heat.

In adults, diarrhea is rarely dangerous. In children of different ages and in the elderly, diarrhea can cause, which can lead to serious consequences.

Causes

Causes of chronic diarrhea may include:

Symptoms

Adults can try to cope with the problem on their own if they have too frequent bowel movements, without an increase in body temperature and with good general health. You should definitely consult a doctor if diarrhea appears after a trip to Africa, Asia and other remote regions, or if the cause of diarrhea is exotic food, water from unknown sources, incl. reservoirs and wells.

If there is a high body temperature, nausea, vomiting, if there is blood in the stool, or if there is a severe constant (more than 2 hours), you should immediately seek medical help.

Complications

• dehydration (dry lips and tongue, feeling thirsty, rapid breathing, rare urination).

What can you do

Drink more liquid, preferably warm or room temperature (water, broth). Avoid alcohol, coffee, milk and fruit juices. If you have diarrhea infant, continue to breastfeed him. At artificial feeding replace cow's milk clean water. You need to drink in small portions, in small sips.

Do not eat if you have no appetite, indigestion or abdominal cramps.
When your appetite returns, it is recommended to eat bananas, rice, dried white bread, processed cereals ( oatmeal, for example), potatoes, boiled or baked vegetables, lean meat in small quantities.

Until your intestines are completely normal, avoid fresh fruits, green vegetables, alcohol, fatty, spicy and fried foods.

If you have prolonged diarrhea, especially when accompanied by weight loss, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If necessary, over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications can be used for temporary relief. However, these products are not recommended for long-term use, because they can increase the duration diarrhea or cause more serious problems. (Caution: Products containing salicylate may temporarily darken the tongue or stool.)

Contact your doctor if you think your diarrhea may be related to a drug you are taking. Diarrhea is a common side effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and antidepressants.

Call your doctor right away if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days in children or more than 5 days in adults, or if you have signs of dehydration, severe abdominal cramps or pain, or dark, bloody, or mucous stools. Infants and the elderly with any of the above symptoms should be taken to the hospital.

What can a doctor do?

In most cases, diarrhea goes away on its own within 2 days. If a liquid diet doesn't help, your doctor may prescribe medications to slow down your bowel movements. However, such drugs are not recommended for children.

The doctor must determine and treat the cause of the diarrhea. If necessary, refer you to the hospital for tests and treatment.

Preventive measures

Wash your hands after using the toilet, changing your baby, and before eating. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap. After cooking, especially if you have handled raw meat, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly.

Be careful with food. Unpasteurized dairy products, eggs, poultry and meat may contain bacteria causing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. The meat must undergo complete heat treatment. Wash cutting boards and knives thoroughly.

Avoid eating unpasteurized dairy products, especially those of unknown origin. Do not leave cooked foods in a warm place for a long time, as... this can provoke the proliferation of dangerous bacteria.

If you have diarrhea, you should not work as a cook, waiter, etc. until the diarrhea goes away completely.

If you travel, do not drink raw water or any untreated water, especially of unknown origin. Drink better water well-known manufacturers, packaged in bottles or cans. To purify local water, it must be boiled for 15 minutes; you can also add tablets or drops of chlorine or use a special filter. When using chlorine and iodine tablets, read the instructions carefully and follow them.

Also, under no circumstances should you eat unwashed fruits and vegetables (it is advisable to wash them only in clean water and very carefully, or even better, peel). Avoid fruits such as melons, which are often pumped with water from the inside to increase their weight.

General information about diarrhea (diarrhea)

Diarrhea (diarrhea) is frequent elimination of loose stool.

Most people experience intestinal upset from time to time and it is usually not a cause for serious concern. However, diarrhea is very uncomfortable and lasts from several days to a week.

Causes of diarrhea

There are many various reasons diarrhea, but the most common, in both adults and children, is gastroenteritis - an infection gastrointestinal tract.

These infectious diseases can be brought with you from travel, especially to regions with low standards of public hygiene. This is called traveler's diarrhea.

Other causes of diarrhea may include anxiety, food allergies, medications, or underlying (chronic) conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment of diarrhea (diarrhea)

In most cases, diarrhea will go away without treatment within a few days and you won't need to see a doctor.

However, diarrhea can cause dehydration, so you should drink plenty of fluids (frequently in small sips). Infants and young children should be kept hydrated.

To replenish fluid losses, you can buy oral rehydration solutions at the pharmacy, which are suitable for both adults and children.

Start eating solid foods as soon as you can. If you are feeding a baby breast milk, and he has diarrhea, try not to change the feeding regimen.

Stay home for at least two days after your last episode of diarrhea to avoid infecting others.

Exist medications to combat diarrhea, for example, loperamide. However, they are usually not required and most should not be given to children.

Prevention of diarrhea

Diarrhea is often a consequence of an infectious disease. You can reduce your risk of diarrhea by practicing good hygiene:

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the toilet, before eating and preparing food;
• Clean the toilet bowl, flush handle, and toilet seat after each episode of diarrhea. disinfectant;
• Use separate towels, cutlery and dishes.

It is also important to practice good food and water hygiene when traveling, such as avoiding poorly treated tap water and undercooked food.

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor if your diarrhea attacks are very frequent or severe, or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• blood in stool;
• constant vomiting;
• signs of dehydration, including drowsiness, irregular urination, and dizziness;

Also see your doctor if your or your child's bowel upset lasts particularly long, as it may indicate a more serious condition.

If you are feeling poorly overall and often need to have a bowel movement, call a doctor at home by calling your local clinic. Or find other clinics where you can call a therapist or pediatrician to your home.

Symptoms of diarrhea (diarrhea)

Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose or watery stools. Some people may also experience other symptoms, depending on the cause of the diarrhea.

Additional symptoms:

• stomach colic;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• lack of appetite.

Excessive water loss through stool can also lead to dehydration, which may have severe consequences, if it is not identified and treated in time.

Signs of dehydration

Signs of dehydration in children:

• irritability or drowsiness;
• rare urination;
• pallor or marbling of the skin;
• cold hands and feet;
• the child looks and feels worse and worse.

Signs of dehydration in adults:

• feeling tired and lack of strength;
• lack of appetite;
• nausea;
• fainting state;
• dizziness;
• dry tongue;
• sunken eyes;
• muscle cramps;

Loose, frequent stools in infants

Call your pediatrician immediately if your baby has had six or more bouts of diarrhea in the past 24 hours, or if he has vomited three or more times in the past 24 hours.

Also seek medical attention if you have infant there are signs of dehydration.

Diarrhea in children over one year of age

Talk to pediatrician if your child has the following symptoms:

• six or more bouts of diarrhea in the last 24 hours;
• diarrhea and vomiting at the same time;
• watery stools;
• blood in stool;
• severe or prolonged abdominal pain;
• signs of dehydration;
• intestinal upset lasts more than 5-7 days.

Diarrhea in adults

Call a general practitioner at home if you have diarrhea and the following symptoms:

• blood in stool;
• incessant vomiting;
• great loss in weight;
• copious watery stools;
• diarrhea occurs at night and interferes with sleep;
• you have recently taken antibiotics or been in hospital;
• symptoms of dehydration;
• very dark or black stools - this may indicate bleeding in the stomach.

Also seek medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 2-4 days.

Causes of diarrhea (diarrhea)

The appearance of frequent loose stools is caused by insufficient absorption of fluid from the intestinal lumen or its excessive release (secretion) by the intestinal walls.

Acute diarrhea (diarrhea)

Typically, diarrhea is a symptom of gastroenteritis, which can have the following causes:

Other possible causes of short-term diarrhea:

• sense of anxiety;
• excessive alcohol consumption;
• food allergies;
• damage to the intestinal lining as a result of radiotherapy.

Medications

Diarrhea can also be a side effect of some medicines, including the following:

• antibiotics;
• antacids containing magnesium;
• some chemotherapy drugs;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
• statins (drugs to lower cholesterol);
• laxatives (drugs that help with constipation).

The package insert accompanying the drug must indicate whether it contains side effects diarrhea (diarrhea). You can also read about your drug in a pharmaceutical formulary.

Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea)

Diseases that cause prolonged diarrhea, include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome is a poorly understood disease that disrupts bowel function;
• inflammatory bowel diseases - diseases causing inflammation in the digestive system, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis;
• celiac disease is a disease digestive system, at which there is adverse reaction for gluten;
• chronic pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas;
• diverticular disease - a disease characterized by the appearance of small pouch-like protrusions on the walls of the intestine;
• colorectal cancer - can cause diarrhea and blood in the stool.

Chronic diarrhea may also occur after gastric surgery, such as gastrectomy. This is an operation to remove part of the stomach, which, for example, is performed for a cancerous tumor.

Diagnosis of diarrhea

In most cases, there is no need to find out the exact causes of diarrhea, since intestinal upset goes away on its own within a few days, and only symptomatic remedies are used in treatment. But if the diarrhea is prolonged or severe, an examination may be required.

Below are the diagnostic methods that your doctor can perform.

General inspection

To determine the causes of intestinal distress, your doctor may ask the following questions:

• what is the consistency and color of the stool, is there mucus or blood in it;
• how often do you have the urge to go to the toilet?
• whether you have other symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever);
• whether there was contact with a sick person or travel abroad, as this may indicate infection with an infectious disease;
• Have you recently eaten out, as this may indicate food poisoning;
• what medications are you taking;
• Have you recently experienced stress or anxiety?

The doctor will definitely examine the tongue, skin and visible mucous membranes, palpate the abdomen and check for swelling.

Stool analysis

To determine the cause of diarrhea, you may have a stool test if:

• diarrhea does not go away for more than two weeks;
• there is pus or blood in the stool;
• There is general symptoms: dehydration, fever, etc.;
• you have a weakened immune system (for example, with HIV infection);
• you have recently been abroad;
• you have recently been in the hospital or taken antibiotics.

If a serious infectious disease is suspected, your general practitioner may refer you to an infectious disease specialist for consultation. In some cases, hospitalization is required infectious diseases hospital. Use our service to choose infectious diseases hospital and discuss in advance the possibility of hospitalization there with the attending physician.

Blood tests

If you suspect that diarrhea is caused chronic disease, your doctor may order a blood test.

A complete blood count can reveal signs of inflammation and anemia. Biochemical analysis blood helps determine the condition internal organs: liver, pancreas, gall bladder.

Rectal examination (examination of the rectum)

If diarrhea persists and the cause cannot be determined, your doctor may recommend a digital rectal examination, especially if you are over 50 years old.

During a rectal exam, your doctor will insert anus gloved finger to check for irregularities. This effective method diagnosis of diseases of the intestines and anus.

Additional examinations

If the diarrhea does not go away and your doctor cannot determine the cause, you may be referred to additional examinations, for example the following:

• sigmoidoscopy - an instrument called a sigmoidoscope (a thin flexible tube with a small camera and a light bulb at the end) is inserted into the intestines through the anus;
• Colonoscopy is a similar procedure in which the entire large intestine is examined using a longer tube.

Treatment of diarrhea (diarrhea)

Diarrhea usually goes away without treatment within a few days, especially if it was caused by an infectious disease. However, there are remedies to relieve symptoms.

In children, diarrhea usually clears up within 5-7 days and rarely lasts longer than 2 weeks. In adults, diarrhea usually begins to subside within 2-4 days, although in some infectious diseases it can last a week or longer.

If you have diarrhea, you can relieve symptoms by following the tips below.

Drink plenty of fluids

It is extremely important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, especially if diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting. Drink water often and little by little.

It's best to drink plenty of liquids that contain water, salt, and sugar, such as juiced water, soda, and broth. If you drink enough fluids, your urine will be almost clear and light yellow in color.

It is also important to keep infants and young children from becoming dehydrated. Give children water even if they are vomiting. It's better to drink a little fluid than nothing at all. Children should not be given juices or carbonated drinks as they may worsen the condition.

If an intestinal disorder occurs in a breastfed baby, continue to breastfeed as usual.

Food hygiene

Compliance with food hygiene rules will avoid food poisoning and associated diarrhea. This can be done by following these recommendations:

• Wash your hands, kitchen surfaces and utensils regularly hot water with soap;
• do not keep raw and cooked food together;
• store food in the refrigerator;
• cook food thoroughly;
• never eat food that has expired.

Vaccination against rotavirus infection

Rotavirus is a virus that often causes diarrhea in children.

Nowadays, children are vaccinated against rotavirus infection in the form of drops that are placed in the child’s mouth. In Russia, vaccination is carried out according to epidemic indications(at high risk infection) free of charge.

Traveler's diarrhea

There is no vaccine that can protect you from all possible causes of traveler's diarrhea. Therefore, when going abroad, you need to follow the rules of food hygiene.

If you are in a country with poor hygiene standards, follow these guidelines:

• Do not drink tap water - it must be boiled for at least one minute;
• do not use ice cubes or eat ice cream;
• do not eat raw or poorly cooked seafood, meat, chicken;
• avoid products that may contain raw eggs, for example, mayonnaise, pastry cream;
• Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products, such as cheese;
• do not eat fruits and vegetables with damaged skins;
• refrain from ready-made salads.

The following are generally safe to eat and drink:

• hot food that has been heat-treated;
• bottled water, soda and alcohol;
• fruits and vegetables that you wash and peel yourself;
• tea or coffee.

If you are planning a trip abroad, please read the relevant travel advisories in advance.

Localization and translation prepared by Napopravku.ru. NHS Choices provided the original content for free. It is available from www.nhs.uk. NHS Choices has not reviewed, and takes no responsibility for, the localization or translation of its original content

Copyright notice: “Department of Health original content 2019”

All site materials have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow us to take into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. The articles have been prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature.

Diarrhea can usually be treated with home care. In some cases, more severe diarrhea requires the patient to call " Ambulance" or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital in the following situations:

• if a person has diarrhea along with high fever, moderate to severe pain in the abdomen, or dehydration that cannot be controlled;
• if there is blood in the diarrhea (may be bright red or may look like black, thick tar); or
• if the person is drowsy and not acting as usual (others may notice this and take the person to the emergency room).

Contact a medical professional if a person does not know how to treat diarrhea and has any of these complications:

• vomiting and inability to tolerate any food or drink;
• signs of dehydration;
• high fever, significant abdominal pain, frequent loose stools, or bloody diarrhea;
• if the person with diarrhea is elderly or has serious underlying medical problems, especially diabetes, diseased heart, kidney or liver or HIV;
• Parents or caregivers need advice on preventing dehydration in newborns and infants;
• symptoms do not improve within two to three days or seem to get worse; or
• if diarrhea develops after traveling within your own country or traveling abroad.

Diarrhea: diagnosis

Acute diarrhea can be treated at home. Bloating and diarrhea usually calm down within two to three days, without special medical treatment.

Diarrhea: home care and remedies

Diarrhea: treatment in adults

• Adults should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Replenishing water loss (due to diarrhea) is important. Avoid milk, as milk can make diarrhea worse. Sports drinks (such as Gatorade or Powerade) can be helpful because they replenish the body's electrolytes in addition to providing hydration.
• If the victim is able to eat, fatty foods should be avoided. Adults, children, toddlers should follow the "BRAT" diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast). The BRO diet (diarrhea diet) is a combination of foods used for decades to treat diarrhea. If diarrhea is early stages accompanied by nausea, the person may suck on lozenges until the nausea stops. After the diarrhea subsides, you should avoid alcoholic drinks and spicy foods for two days.
• People should continue their normal actions If they have mild diarrhea, however, strenuous exercise should be avoided as exercise and sports increase the risk of dehydration.
• Pregnant women with diarrhea should be sure to stay hydrated, so they should consult their doctor.

Diarrhea: treatment in children

Dehydration in children and toddlers can be very concerning.

• Babies and toddlers create special problems with diarrhea due to their increased risk dehydration. Parents should offer them a bottle of water as often as possible. Solutions such as Pedialyte may be more attractive than water. These fluids contain essential electrolytes that are lost with diarrhea. Never use salt tablets as they may make diarrhea worse.
• Children with frequent stools, fever or vomiting, should stay home and avoid going to school or kindergarten until these symptoms disappear. This allows the child to rest and recover from diarrhea and also protects other children from exposure to possible infection.
• As mentioned earlier, newborns, infants and children should be encouraged to follow the "BRAT" diarrhea diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast). The BRO diet (diarrhea diet) is a combination of foods used for decades to treat diarrhea.

Diarrhea: treatment

To replace fluids, if a patient is dehydrated and unable to eat or drink, healthcare professionals often begin intravenous intervention. This decision often leads to quick relief patient's condition.

Antibiotics

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Antibiotics are not effective in treating diarrhea caused by viruses. Even more severe diarrhea caused by bacteria usually goes away within a few days without antibiotics. Antibiotics even make some cases of bacterial diarrhea worse, especially those caused by E coli bacteria (a common source of food poisoning).

Your doctor may recommend various antidiarrheal medications. These drugs, such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, etc.) may help some people with diarrhea, but taking other drugs at the same time should be avoided. Antidiarrheal drugs are usually not recommended for infants and children with diarrhea.

Hospitalization for diarrhea

If a person has severe diarrhea, especially when accompanied by dehydration, the person may need to be hospitalized to receive an IV.

Medicines for diarrhea

• The use of anti-motility medications, although controversial, does provide relief from diarrhea. These drugs slow down intestinal movement. Similar drugs include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, etc.). These anti-motility drugs are not recommended for infants and children under 5 years of age.
• Otherwise, for healthy adults who do not have severe diarrhea, loperamide is likely to be safe and effective in reducing daily stool volume and total duration diarrhea.
• Bismuth salicylate is also useful and may be more effective than loperamide when vomiting accompanies diarrhea.
• Adults with other serious medical problems and those with severe diarrhea (high fever, abdominal pain, or bloody stools) should seek medical advice before using medications.
• Many solutions are available to prevent salt deficiency in the body due to diarrhea.
• Oral electrolytes are available at any pharmacy (Pedialyte, Rehydralyte, Naturalyte).

Follow label directions, which may say to take 1 teaspoon every 15 minutes. If the child remains unaffected by the initial dose, increase the dose to 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes until the diarrhea stops.

Diarrhea: Natural Remedies

Some plant leaves contain tannins, which are considered an anti-diarrhea agent. The simplest blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries in tea can help stop diarrhea. Don't eat fresh blueberries because they can make diarrhea worse. Pregnant women should avoid high doses of tannin. Chamomile tea can also act as a remedy for diarrhea.

NOTE: If diarrhea remedies including homeopathy, herbs, nutritional supplements, acupressure, aromatherapy and other alternative or additional methods treatments, please be aware that these products and methods are not officially, scientifically accepted for the treatment or prevention of disease. But their interaction with medications can help relieve diarrhea. Tell your doctor about every medicine and vitamin before taking any drug or remedy. It is recommended to keep a list of all medications you take in your wallet or purse in case of an emergency.

Diarrhea: next steps

• Stay hydrated. Follow the advice of a medical professional.
• Call your doctor again if the diarrhea gets worse, if you develop a high fever, abdominal pain, or have bloody stools.

Prevention of diarrhea

Many cases of diarrhea are spread from person to person. The following measures may help avoid diarrhea or a viral or bacterial infection:

• Persons caring for sick children or adults in any setting should wash their hands thoroughly after changing diapers, helping with a bath, or assisting with housework.
• To prevent persistent diarrhea, children should be instructed to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the toilet.
• Safe handling practices food products. Always wash your hands before and after preparing food.
• Use caution when cooking raw poultry or meat. Food should be cooked to recommended temperatures. Avoid raw or rare meat and poultry. Dishes that come into contact with raw food should be cleaned with soap and hot water.
• Raw fruits and vegetables should only be eaten after being thoroughly washed in clean water.
• Unpasteurized (raw) milk may be contaminated with bacteria and should be completely avoided. Unpasteurized fruit juice should be avoided because the fruit may come into contact with contaminated animal feces in the garden.

Diarrhea: treatment prognosis

• The effects of diarrhea should improve within two to three days of onset. Loose stools may persist longer than other symptoms.
• Serious illness usually occurs in people who suffer from severe dehydration, especially infants, the elderly, or other people with significant medical conditions.

Diarrhea or, scientifically, diarrhea, in adults can occur due to various reasons. Most often, the presence of loose stools is caused by the penetration of pathogens into the human body. intestinal infections. It could be pathogenic bacteria different types(staphylococcus, coli, salmonella), representatives of the viral group (adenovirus, rotavirus), as well as protozoa, for example, Giardia.

What are the causes of diarrhea and diarrhea in an adult?

In addition, the causes of diarrhea in adults can be divided into 4 large groups, which often have a relationship with each other:

1 reasons related to diet;

2 reasons due to the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and organs of other systems in the body;

3 consequences drug treatment or poisoning;

4 reasons due to psycho-emotional instability and nervous tension.

The first group of reasons depends on daily diet, consumed as food, its quality and quantity. Frequent snacks, plentiful fatty food, overeating before bed, overindulgence fast foods, abuse of alcohol and carbonated drinks, neglect of the quality and freshness of food lead to the fact that the gastrointestinal tract tries to get rid of excess substances that are not for it nutritional value, and diarrhea begins.

The pathological processes developing in the body often involve the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which is manifested by diseases such as gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis. They can occur against the background of enzyme deficiency, abnormalities in the production gastric juice, disruption of the endocrine glands, hormonal imbalances. Gastrointestinal diseases that do not have infectious origin(non-specific ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), often presenting with diarrhea among a variety of other symptoms.

Treatment process various diseases associated with reception medications, many of which have a number of side effects. While taking some medications, diarrhea may develop, which stops after discontinuation of the drug or after replacing it with another drug that does not have a similar effect. negative influence on the patient's body. This group of causes of diarrhea also includes the consequences of poisoning, both food and other types of intoxication resulting from the saturation of the body with harmful, toxic substances in dangerous concentrations.

Sometimes diarrhea appears so suddenly that a person cannot at all associate it with diet and medication use, and the whole issue may be due to short-term but severe stress due to fear or nervous tension that arose against the background of emotional shock.

The vast majority of people, faced with the problem of diarrhea, try to cope with the problem through their own efforts, trying to avoid medical care in such a delicate matter. They are referred to a doctor only when they feel that their condition is deteriorating sharply, their body temperature rises, and the diarrhea does not stop. Conditions in which liquid feces change in color and contain foreign inclusions in the form of bloody or mucous clots or foamy contents should cause particular concern. At severe diarrhea a person will very quickly develop signs of dehydration: a dry tongue and lips, a feeling of extreme thirst. If no measures are taken, dehydration will further weaken the patient and cause irreparable damage to his internal organs. Therefore, with all these negative phenomena, you should immediately seek medical help.

Even if the patient considers his condition to be satisfactory, but he is bothered by diarrhea after a holiday in one of the hot countries of East Asia or an African safari, it is advisable to consult a specialist about this problem. Medicines recommended for use if necessary should be studied for possible side effects. Their list may include diarrhea - how side effect when treated with antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants.

Prevention, what to do to avoid diarrhea

Preventing diarrhea is easier than treating it later, so preventive measures needs to be taken constantly, especially since it is not at all difficult:

1 use only boiled or bottled water that has not expired;

2 wash your hands frequently, especially in the summer, maintain personal hygiene;

3 control the freshness and quality of all food products, do not buy products at spontaneous markets;

4 heat treat meat and fish products, eggs, and vegetables and fruits intended to be eaten raw should always be thoroughly washed, and it is advisable to rinse the skins with boiling water.

Types of diarrhea, types of diarrhea, what are there

Depending on the cause that caused diarrhea, it is divided into the following groups:

1 Diarrhea of ​​infectious origin. This type develops when pathogenic bacteria and viruses enter the intestines.

2 Diarrhea that developed due to poisoning with toxins of arsenic, mercury and other potent poisons;

3 Nutritional diarrhea. Occurs as a result of eating stale or poor-quality food, or as allergic reaction for unusual foods.

Conditions in which diarrhea is caused functional disorders processes of digestion and absorption of food. They are provoked by deviations in the production of necessary enzymes, secretory disorders of individual organs (liver, gall bladder, pancreas). Diarrhea caused by long-term use of medications, for example, antibiotics, after which intestinal dysbiosis often develops. Diarrhea can also be caused by antiarrhythmic, anticonvulsant, and hypoglycemic drugs. Neurogenic diarrhea associated with instability psycho-emotional state(excessive anxiety, stress, unreasonable fear before anything).

Frequent diarrhea in adults and their causes

If diarrhea continues for quite some time in adults long time, for a month, it is called chronic. It is characterized by a stool frequency of more than 3 times a day with a volume of excreted feces that exceeds 250 g. Chronic diarrhea significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life, but the main problem is constant dehydration of the body due to impaired water-salt balance, loss of valuable nutrients and salts (potassium, magnesium, sodium), which negatively affects the functioning of all body systems. Therefore, you need to deal with chronic diarrhea not on your own, but to find out its cause by contacting doctors and be treated according to their recommendations.

The causes of chronic diarrhea vary, but most often it is caused by the following diseases:

1 Nonspecific ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease. These diseases are part of a group characterized by inflammatory bowel lesions of autoimmune origin. These diseases manifest themselves in a number of symptoms with diarrhea, when the presence of foreign inclusions in the form of purulent, bloody or mucous streaks can be detected in the stool. The patient, if such signs are present, should not hesitate to visit a doctor and be thoroughly examined. Delaying the onset of adequate therapeutic measures can lead to life-threatening conditions for the patient (peritonitis, perforation of the intestinal wall, internal bleeding).

2 Irritable bowel syndrome. The very name of the disease indicates the state of the intestines. Doctors classify this pathology as functional. It manifests itself as signs of flatulence, painful sensations in the abdominal area, increased frequency of bowel movements, sometimes with false urges. The disease can be caused by both poor nutrition and excessive irritability. nervous system due to constant stress.

3 Malsorption syndrome. This disease is associated with abnormalities that disrupt the normal process of absorption of nutrients from the walls of the small intestine. Possible reasons Such disorders lie in an enzyme imbalance during the development of pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract (liver, pancreas, gallbladder). The resulting diarrhea is called osmotic. Malsorption syndrome can be congenital or acquired. For example, as a result of the removal of a site for some reason small intestine Malsorption syndrome may develop. His treatment is aimed mainly at correcting his diet.

4 Endocrine diseases. Patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism often experience diarrhea, which is associated with increased level hormone production thyroid gland, and this affects intestinal motility, enhancing it. Therefore, the treatment of this type of diarrhea must be coordinated with an endocrinologist, who will prescribe medications that normalize the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

Treatment of diarrhea in adults, how to properly treat diarrhea

It is better to discuss how to treat acute or chronic diarrhea with a specialist, because different approaches and medications are used to treat different types of diarrhea. But the beginning of any treatment must precede the establishment of the true cause. If a person is sure that diarrhea is not associated with a serious illness, there is no fever and severe pain syndrome, then you can use simple remedies that will help relieve this unpleasant symptom:

1 croutons from rye bread you need to soak them in water at room temperature and when they soften, drink this rye infusion throughout the day;

2 juice squeezed from fresh lemon, diluted with water and drunk;

3 brew healing decoction from oak bark at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. bark in a glass of boiling water, cool it and take 50 ml three times a day.

4 if there is wormwood tincture in the house, then by taking only 15-20 drops, you can cope with diarrhea very quickly.

In addition, there are many pharmaceuticals, which have proven themselves in solving the problem of diarrhea, you just need to choose the right drug and its dosage, and for this it is better to consult a doctor.

Daily bowel movements are a natural occurrence that help the body remove waste and digested food from the body. With normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, correct, balanced diet, the process occurs 1-2 times a day. More frequent bowel movements, liquid stool, and diarrhea are signs of dysfunction of internal organs. Often, diarrhea is a symptom of a disease, and to eliminate it, it is worth identifying the causes of development and eliminating them yourself (if it is a negative reaction to a particular food group, for example, dairy or fish) or contacting a specialist for advice and help.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is frequent bowel movements with liquid stool. It can be a single dose, but with a large amount of feces, over 400 grams and its liquid form. With diarrhea, stool contains more than 90% water (which makes it so liquid), while the norm is 60-85%. Diarrhea is often accompanied by general weakness, dehydration, pain in the lower abdomen and severe cramps.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea can develop for several reasons:

• Infection entering the body.
• Eating poor quality or dirty food.
• Adverse reaction to taking medications.
• Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Enzyme deficiency beneficial bacteria in the intestines.
• Overweight.
• Problems with the pancreas or liver.
• Inflammatory processes in the large intestine.

Diseases that cause diarrhea

Diseases in which one of the symptoms is acute or chronic diarrhea:

• Short bowel syndrome.
• Lymphoma.
• Whipple's disease.
• Intestinal infections.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Colon or stomach cancer.
• Endocrine enteropathies.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Terminal ileitis.
• Primary lymphangiectasia.
• Tuberculosis.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Rare types of tumors: gastrinoma, carcinoid, VIPoma.

Which doctor should I contact for diarrhea?

If diarrhea does not go away for a long time, you should contact medical institution for consultation with a doctor and undergoing an examination that will help establish the nature of the symptom, identify the disease and select effective treatment. List of doctors to contact for acute or chronic diarrhea.