Diarrhoea
By Heart Hatchet
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea, or also recognize as Diarrhoeal, is a common diseases that affects every human being. The WHO estimates that about 2.5 million people die annually as a result of infectious diarrhoea, it is also the second leading killer of children under the age of five, accounting for approximately 15% of under-five child deaths worldwide. However, this figure is under estimation, as many patients do not seek medical attention for mild episodes, which possibly lead to critical stages. The question here, almost everyone suffered from it before, but what do people knows about diarrhoea?
1.0 What Is Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea refers to the frequent passage of loose or watery unformed stools. This would generally involve watery stools have been passed at least three or more times within a day. There are three types of diarrhoea are: acute diarrhoea, persistent diarrhoea, and dysentery.
If an episode of diarrhoea lasts less than 14 days, it is acute diarrhoea. Acute watery diarrhoea causes dehydration and leads to malnutrition. The death of a child with acute diarrhoea is usually due to dehydration.
If the diarrhoea lasts 14 days or more, it is persistent diarrhoea. Up to 20% of episodes of diarrhoea become persistent. Persistent diarrhoea often causes nutritional problems, creating the risk of malnutrition and serious non-intestinal infection. Dehydration also happens.
Diarrhoea with blood in the stool – with or without mucus – is called dysentery. Dysentery is pretty dangerous because of its ability to lead to anorexia, rapid weight loss, and damage to the intestinal mucosa.
2.0 Symptoms
It’s not hard to detect diarrhoea as it comes with frequent passage of watery stools. There are other symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating as well. Some may also be nausea and vomiting, but these symptoms of diarrhoea may vary depending on the causes of diarrhoea. Food poisoning would most likely cause vomiting as a symptom, whereas the consumption of excessively spicy food may just trigger diarrhoea along with abdominal pain and cramping.
3.0 Cause
Diarrhoea may be caused by some factors; however, there are several common causes that lead to it, such as:-
Bacterial infections: Several types of bacteria, consumed through contaminated food or water, can cause diarrhoea. Generally is known as food poisoning.
Viral infection: Especially viral infection of the stomach and the small intestine) is the most common cause of acute diarrhoea worldwide. It usually last only 48-72 hours.
Parasites: Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system.
Food intolerances: Some people are unable to digest some component of food, such as lactose, the sugar found in milk which probably ends up with diarrhoea.
Drugs: Some people may react to medicines, such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and antacids containing magnesium thus suffer from diarrhoea.
4.0 Treatments
Diarrhoea may seem not harmful, but it can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. One should consult the doctor if any of the following is true:
•Having diarrhoea for more than 3 days.
•Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum.
•Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
•Detect blood in the stool or have black, tarry stools.
•Signs of dehydration.
Most of the cases of diarrhoea, replacing lost fluid and salts can be the only & significant treatment needed. This is usually by mouth – oral rehydration therapy (ORT). ORT consists of a solution of salts and sugars which is taken by mouth.
Water, clear soups and sugary drinks are ideal to replace lost water, salt and sugar.
Eat foods as usual, unless this makes matters worse. Sometimes bland foods such as bread, rice and potatoes are better tolerated.
Anti-diarrhoea medication, such as Loperamide is available from the pharmacist. For chewable tablet type of medicine, it should be taken on an empty stomach. The chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
Ask the doctor for advice if there's mucus, pus or blood in the diarrhoea, severe stomach pains, no passing of urine over a 12-hour period, if the diarrhoea continues for more than four days or if there are signs of dehydration.
In short, diarrhoea will usually go away in two to three days without specific medical therapy.
5.0 Diarrhoea Prevention
Generally, diarrhoea may spread from person-to-person, or even through food and water. There’re some precautions can help an individual avoid diarrhoea and other viral or bacterial infections:
(I) Wash hand frequently & thoroughly, rub with soap for 20 seconds as possible. Apply hand sanitizer which contains alcohol to clean the hands.
(II) Avoid contaminated food. For instance, serve food right away or refrigerate it after it has been cooked or reheated. Leaving food out at room temperature can encourage growth of bacteria.
(III) In order to reduce the risk of traveller’s diarrhoea, foods and water are the most important things to be concerned. Eat hot, well-cooked foods and somehow avoid tap water and ice cubes which can cause diarrhoea easily.
Diarrhoea, or also recognize as Diarrhoeal, is a common diseases that affects every human being. The WHO estimates that about 2.5 million people die annually as a result of infectious diarrhoea, it is also the second leading killer of children under the age of five, accounting for approximately 15% of under-five child deaths worldwide. However, this figure is under estimation, as many patients do not seek medical attention for mild episodes, which possibly lead to critical stages. The question here, almost everyone suffered from it before, but what do people knows about diarrhoea?
1.0 What Is Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea refers to the frequent passage of loose or watery unformed stools. This would generally involve watery stools have been passed at least three or more times within a day. There are three types of diarrhoea are: acute diarrhoea, persistent diarrhoea, and dysentery.
If an episode of diarrhoea lasts less than 14 days, it is acute diarrhoea. Acute watery diarrhoea causes dehydration and leads to malnutrition. The death of a child with acute diarrhoea is usually due to dehydration.
If the diarrhoea lasts 14 days or more, it is persistent diarrhoea. Up to 20% of episodes of diarrhoea become persistent. Persistent diarrhoea often causes nutritional problems, creating the risk of malnutrition and serious non-intestinal infection. Dehydration also happens.
Diarrhoea with blood in the stool – with or without mucus – is called dysentery. Dysentery is pretty dangerous because of its ability to lead to anorexia, rapid weight loss, and damage to the intestinal mucosa.
2.0 Symptoms
It’s not hard to detect diarrhoea as it comes with frequent passage of watery stools. There are other symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating as well. Some may also be nausea and vomiting, but these symptoms of diarrhoea may vary depending on the causes of diarrhoea. Food poisoning would most likely cause vomiting as a symptom, whereas the consumption of excessively spicy food may just trigger diarrhoea along with abdominal pain and cramping.
3.0 Cause
Diarrhoea may be caused by some factors; however, there are several common causes that lead to it, such as:-
Bacterial infections: Several types of bacteria, consumed through contaminated food or water, can cause diarrhoea. Generally is known as food poisoning.
Viral infection: Especially viral infection of the stomach and the small intestine) is the most common cause of acute diarrhoea worldwide. It usually last only 48-72 hours.
Parasites: Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system.
Food intolerances: Some people are unable to digest some component of food, such as lactose, the sugar found in milk which probably ends up with diarrhoea.
Drugs: Some people may react to medicines, such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and antacids containing magnesium thus suffer from diarrhoea.
4.0 Treatments
Diarrhoea may seem not harmful, but it can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. One should consult the doctor if any of the following is true:
•Having diarrhoea for more than 3 days.
•Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum.
•Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
•Detect blood in the stool or have black, tarry stools.
•Signs of dehydration.
Most of the cases of diarrhoea, replacing lost fluid and salts can be the only & significant treatment needed. This is usually by mouth – oral rehydration therapy (ORT). ORT consists of a solution of salts and sugars which is taken by mouth.
Water, clear soups and sugary drinks are ideal to replace lost water, salt and sugar.
Eat foods as usual, unless this makes matters worse. Sometimes bland foods such as bread, rice and potatoes are better tolerated.
Anti-diarrhoea medication, such as Loperamide is available from the pharmacist. For chewable tablet type of medicine, it should be taken on an empty stomach. The chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
Ask the doctor for advice if there's mucus, pus or blood in the diarrhoea, severe stomach pains, no passing of urine over a 12-hour period, if the diarrhoea continues for more than four days or if there are signs of dehydration.
In short, diarrhoea will usually go away in two to three days without specific medical therapy.
5.0 Diarrhoea Prevention
Generally, diarrhoea may spread from person-to-person, or even through food and water. There’re some precautions can help an individual avoid diarrhoea and other viral or bacterial infections:
(I) Wash hand frequently & thoroughly, rub with soap for 20 seconds as possible. Apply hand sanitizer which contains alcohol to clean the hands.
(II) Avoid contaminated food. For instance, serve food right away or refrigerate it after it has been cooked or reheated. Leaving food out at room temperature can encourage growth of bacteria.
(III) In order to reduce the risk of traveller’s diarrhoea, foods and water are the most important things to be concerned. Eat hot, well-cooked foods and somehow avoid tap water and ice cubes which can cause diarrhoea easily.
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