Diarrhea every day. Why does diarrhea in adults persist for a long time and what to do about it? Watery stool - dangerous or not?


In almost every case, the poisoning process is always accompanied by diarrhea. It can last for several days, and sometimes is longer.

If its causes lie in poisoning of the body, then it lasts 2-3 days and practically does not require any treatment. At this time, the body cleanses itself of toxins and poisonous substances.

But if diarrhea does not stop for 4 days or does not go away for more than a week, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.

Often, such diarrhea is accompanied by additional symptoms - the presence of fever, pain in the gastrointestinal tract and severe weakness.

Such dangerous signs cannot be ignored, since loose stools can be the result of a serious disorder in the body of an adult, and in the absence of proper treatment, this can lead to serious illnesses that are difficult to treat.

What does this symptom mean?

Diarrhea may occur suddenly. Therefore, it is important to know what it is. This is a patient's condition in which he defecates too often and too much, and he experiences loose stools.

Diarrhea is a natural reaction of the body that performs a protective function against external pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms penetrating from outside.

Diarrhea can manifest itself as a physiological reaction and be a consequence of disorders of the digestive and intestinal organs, or poisoning. It can last 1 day or last a week.

What are the causes of the disease

To determine the correct treatment, you need to know the reasons why diarrhea appeared.

If it goes away within three days, in the absence of unpleasant symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, this is a clear sign of a functional intestinal disorder.

There are several reasons why this happens:

  • A functional intestinal disorder in an adult can provoke nervous stress or nervous shock. When depression is suppressed and all psychological provoking factors are eliminated, a favorable psycho-emotional environment is established, and diarrhea goes away.
  • The next reason for the appearance of intestinal dysfunction in a person may be poisoning from low-quality food or products that have expired. Sometimes the reasons lie in overeating. The human body is not able to fully digest and absorb large amounts of food. The body cleanses itself, but diarrhea does not go away on its own. In this case, loose stools are treated with additional methods.
  • If diarrhea is prolonged and protracted, accompanied by periodic constipation, this is a clear sign of irritable intestines or the presence of inflammatory processes in it.
  • If diarrhea lasts 3 days, the problem lies in the thyroid gland. It produces a large amount of hormones due to increased function. Symptoms are frequent and intense.
  • Penetration of infection into the body of an adult patient or child. This complex type of diarrhea cannot be cured on your own.

If in an adult patient diarrhea lasts 1 day, and its intensity and frequency decrease, then nothing needs to be done. The stool gradually returns to normal, and all unpleasant symptoms go away on their own.

But if diarrhea does not go away on its own for a very long time, the help of a doctor is needed. Diarrhea can be provoked by a dangerous infection or result from a serious disorder of internal organs and processes.

In this case, it is necessary to do everything possible to treat the disease. They use more complex therapy, which is prescribed by the doctor.

Other reasons

Diarrhea caused by infection is treated differently. It is accompanied by accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, pain in the abdomen and fever.

Diarrhea does not go away on its own and can last for several days or a week. The infection in the body of an adult and a child is manifested by high temperature.

Regardless of the patient’s age, at the first such manifestations, immediately seek help from a doctor.

This is a serious reason to conduct a full diagnosis of the whole body, since such diarrhea does not go away on its own. It can drag on for two weeks, sometimes more.

The patient will undergo all the necessary tests to understand why the diarrhea occurred and what caused it.

  • If loose stools are caused by a viral infection or pathogenic bacteria, they will not go away on their own. This process is treated with special medications (antiviral and antibacterial drugs). They are prescribed at the first manifestations of the disease, and with further treatment, they are adjusted. A few days later, a bacteriological examination is carried out and, based on its results, further treatment is determined. Special antibiotics are prescribed to combat the infection. Sometimes several types of antibacterial drugs are used at once. They are administered intravenously for 3-7 days. Special antipyretics will help reduce the temperature.
  • If diarrhea is accompanied by a high temperature, all measures must be taken to prevent dehydration. But what needs to be done for this, besides following a special diet? Upon admission to the hospital, from the first day, special saline solutions are introduced into the body of an adult patient or child. Such mixtures are given all day with intermediate breaks.

When this method is effective, the temperature decreases. The next day, the patient is provided with plenty of fluids. The intake of saline solutions and mineral water should be carried out from 2 to 7 days.

If diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, it should only be treated under the supervision of a doctor. In this case, self-medication is contraindicated, since negative consequences are possible.

With self-treatment, diarrhea stops, but the infection remains in the body, and the person is able to infect others.

Almost always, in addition to diarrhea, the patient begins to experience additional symptoms on the second day. They consist of increased nervousness and irritability, self-doubt and anxiety.

If the diarrhea is prolonged and protracted, nervous breakdowns, insomnia, weakness, dizziness and increased sweating are possible. In general, all signs harm the body and cause a lot of inconvenience.

Very often, people themselves neglect basic hygiene rules or do not monitor their diet. It is necessary to carefully monitor the quality of food and check its expiration date.

Sometimes diarrhea is the result of an allergic reaction or individual intolerance to certain foods.

If diarrhea persists for more than two days, doctors give many important recommendations so that patients know what to do.

  • Don't worry too much or panic. In most cases, diarrhea appears due to minor poisoning. With proper treatment, all signs and symptoms go away on their own.
  • It is important to observe basic personal hygiene standards. Failure to comply with them causes infections and pathogenic bacteria to enter the body.
  • If diarrhea persists, seek medical help immediately. If it occurs due to poisoning, the doctor will prescribe special medications to cleanse the body.

Additionally, diagnostics of the body of an adult or child is carried out. Sometimes the presence of diarrhea can indicate a serious illness.

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, it is detected at an early stage of development, which makes the path to recovery easier.

If the situation worsens and diarrhea does not subside, home treatment is changed to hospital treatment. With this treatment, it is very important to listen to your doctor and follow all his recommendations.

It is important to follow a therapeutic diet and take all necessary medications. In this case, all symptoms subside and the patient feels better.

In medicine, diarrhea is considered a symptom of disease or poisoning. Therefore, it is important to identify the provoking causes and do everything to prevent them. When signs of diarrhea are eliminated, the disease remains.

Determination of forms of the disease in adult patients

To determine the extent of the problem in an adult patient, the consistency of stool is examined.

  • If stool with diarrhea has a greasy appearance, this is a clear sign of excess fat. The presence of fat in large quantities in the human body provokes poor absorption of elements in the small intestine.
  • If mucous substances are detected in the stool, there is a high risk of irritation of the mucous membranes of the tissues in the intestines.
  • With acute manifestations of diarrhea, bloody inclusions or the presence of pus are found in the stool. Based on the composition and type of feces, the disease can be identified and its form of development can be determined. Therefore, if bloody streaks, purulent spots or mucus are detected, be sure to seek medical help. The faster a doctor diagnoses a disease, the easier it will be to cure it.
  • With normal stomach and intestinal upset, stool during diarrhea does not include any inclusions or purulent spots. It is a liquid substance without additional manifestations in it.

Help with diarrhea

If diarrhea has become prolonged, be sure to seek help from a specialist. But often it is possible to cope with this problem on your own.

To do this, a number of necessary measures are taken to prevent diarrhea and eliminate all provoking causes. For this it is important:

  • Take the sorbent-based medicine as soon as possible. It will have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire digestive system, including the intestines. These include Smecta, Atoxil and activated carbon.
  • To prevent dehydration, provide the patient with sufficient drinking water. You can also use weak tea without sugar as such a liquid.
  • During diarrhea, along with toxins and harmful substances, all beneficial substances and important elements are released. To replenish their supply, take herbal teas. They will perfectly saturate the body with everything necessary and prevent dehydration. If diarrhea is accompanied by fever, you can drink linden and currant teas. They have a diaphoretic effect, which reduces fever.
  • They give a cleansing enema. Diarrhea is considered a natural manifestation of the body's defense reaction. It is provoked in cases where infection or pathogenic bacteria have entered.

But sometimes, during diarrhea, not all bacteria and toxins leave the body along with feces and are retained in the intestinal cavity. In this case, an enema is perfect.

It is able to flush out all the bad things from the intestines without causing the patient any particular inconvenience or harm to health.

This manipulation will prevent the re-absorption of harmful substances into the intestinal walls and subsequent poisoning of the body.

An enema will not only cleanse the intestines, but also reduce the temperature, since the body actively absorbs water from it. The contents of the enema include both pure water and various decoctions of medicinal herbs.

Decoctions of oak, chamomile and sage are excellent. The solution should not be hot. Room temperature is considered ideal.

Diarrhea must be treated. But it needs to be done correctly. At its first manifestations, be sure to consult a doctor.

He will be able to correctly diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment. Self-medication is harmful to health.

Useful video

An unpleasant condition - stool disorder - can manifest itself over a long period of time and be the cause of many intestinal diseases in adults and children. Diarrhea can last for several days, even a month. First of all, if you have prolonged diarrhea, you should consult a doctor. What to do if diarrhea prevents you from leaving the house?

Before drinking a first aid kit, find out the reasons that caused the disease. In an adult, prolonged diarrhea can be the result of poisoning, diseases of the small and large intestines, stress, overwork and other reasons. In infants, the condition is sometimes due to physiological causes.

First of all, it is indicated to replenish the loss of fluid and electrolytes, and to maintain certain nutritional standards throughout the treatment.

Drinking regime:

  • The patient needs to drink to prevent dehydration and remove accumulated toxins from the body. It is acceptable to drink clean water or use decoctions and teas. The volume of replenished fluid is at least 2 liters per day. You need to drink as much water as was lost.
  • In case of severe distress with every minute urge, we give the patient a water-salt solution, for example, Regidron.

If nothing helps, diarrhea does not go away on the second or third day, despite following the doctor's instructions, you may not have changed your diet.

Authorized products:

  • We eat light purees, soups, meat, fish (boiled, low-fat).
  • Porridges are cooked in water and have a slimy consistency.
  • Products with high levels of pectin (apples, baked bananas).
  • Strong tea and berry jelly.
  • Potassium-rich foods.

All products are served in crushed, pureed form.

Prohibited products:

  • Vegetables and fruits;
  • Canned food;
  • Smoked meats;
  • Seasonings;
  • Dairy products;
  • Large grains so as not to traumatize the intestines;
  • Fast food;
  • Fatty foods.

Drug therapy

In addition to diet, use medications: Smecta, Activated carbon. If loose stools have been going on for three days, medications may not help.

Loperamide-based products

These remedies are used when diarrhea is severe and does not stop for a long time. The drugs are available without a prescription. Prescribed for acute, chronic (if loose stools continue for the third week or more) diarrhea.

Contraindications:

  • 1st trimester of pregnancy, children under 6 years of age.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • 2-3 trimester - use in pregnant women if the benefit is higher than the risk.
  • Acute colitis.
  • Persistent diarrhea caused by long-term use of antibacterial drugs.
  • Liver dysfunction.

The drugs are well absorbed by patients, but can be accompanied by side effects:

  • Constipation, flatulence, the patient may have a stomach ache.
  • Fatigue, drowsiness.
  • Rash, itching, fever.

Imodium is available in the form of capsules or tablets. An adult or child over 12 years old should take 2 tablets once a day, i.e. at one time. If intestinal upset continues, take 1 tablet after going to the toilet until the diarrhea completely stops. Child over 6 years old – 1 tablet. means at a time, then 1 after emptying, until stool normalizes.

If intestinal upset continues 12 hours after taking the medicine, you must stop treatment and urgently go to the hospital.

Loperamide - adults initially take 2 capsules, then 1 capsule after going to the toilet, until stool normalizes (maximum dose - 8 capsules). Children over 6 years old – 1 capsule (maximum dose – 3 capsules).

If the stool has formed, we stop treatment.

Sorbents

Sorbents are mandatory. They take medications for poisoning, infectious diseases and as a quick help to stop diarrhea. They are able to collect toxic substances on the surface and remove them from the body.

Activated carbon - there are tablet forms and powder. More often used for poisoning and intoxication of various natures. Take up to 3 tablets 4 times a day, an hour before the main therapy, otherwise the effect of the main drug may be reduced. In acute conditions, it is permissible to stop taking the drug on the fifth day, usually every other day. If the condition is chronic, we extend the dose to fourteen days. Repeated course as prescribed by a specialist.

Side effects develop in the form of constipation, impaired absorption of substances in the intestines, decreased temperature and pressure, black stool, and impaired liver function.

Do not use the medicine in case of hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug, ulcerative defects in the digestive tract, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.

Smecta is a white or slightly yellowish powder, approved for use in children. It is used for acute and chronic digestive disorders of various types. It copes well when the baby has a stomach ache, bloating, or heartburn.

If the condition is acute, adults are allowed to consume 6 sachets per day. For babies up to one year old - two sachets per day for the first 3 days, then 1 sachet. Children over one year old, up to 4 sachets per day for 3 days, then 2 sachets. It is advisable to complete the course within a week. The product can be mixed with porridge, baby food, compote. Approved for use by pregnant women. In rare cases, when taking the drug, constipation and a slight rash with itching are observed.

Smecta should not be used if there is a malabsorption of substances or an allergy to the drug.

Probiotics

Bifidumbacterin - available in the form of capsules and suppositories for adults and children. Can be used for:

  • Dysbacteriosis;
  • Ulcers of the digestive tract;
  • Pancreatitis;
  • Allergies;
  • During intestinal infections;
  • Poisoning;
  • Constant constipation;
  • Taking antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormones.

Take half an hour before meals or during breastfeeding.

For patients before surgery, three to five days before surgery and two weeks after.

For chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract 3 times a day, for a course of two weeks.

There is a possibility of allergic reactions to the drug.

It is forbidden to use in children under 3 years of age (suppositories), in case of allergic reactions to the composition of the drug.

Enemas

If the cause of prolonged diarrhea is poisoning with poor-quality products, it is recommended to conduct a short course of cleansing enemas to quickly get rid of the symptoms of dyspepsia and wash out toxic substances from the body (until they are absorbed).

The procedures are performed on an adult even in cases of severe diarrhea. As a rinsing solution, use warm, slightly salted water or Regidron water-salt solution. You need to repeat the manipulations until the rinsing waters become clean. Sometimes enemas with enveloping drugs are prescribed, which speed up the process many times over; accordingly, diarrhea goes away much faster.

Diarrhea for the second day, what to do and how not to panic? Indeed, in addition to disrupted plans for the day or evening, the process brings with it a lot of other inconveniences. Despite the fact that in adulthood everyone has encountered this phenomenon at least once, the degree of discomfort does not decrease from this.

First, put aside your fears and worries. Don't waste your energy on unnecessary worries. - an illness accompanied by a number of unpleasant sensations. It is worth remembering that in itself it is nothing more than a symptom that indicates some disease associated with an intestinal disorder. As a rule, the body copes with the ailment on its own after some time.

Long-lasting diarrhea

Defecation that occurs suddenly is a consequence of human behavior. This may be a one-time reaction of the body, so do not rush to diagnose yourself.
To identify that same irritant, answer the questions:

  • What did you eat the day before?
  • What is the quality of the product?
  • If it is a fruit or vegetable, is it washed well?

The process may be accompanied by symptoms such as:

  • temperature increase;
  • weakness;
  • chills.

If there are none, it is quite possible that the weakened state is fleeting and you will notice improvements the very next day.

If diarrhea does not go away on the second day, you can relieve your well-being yourself at home using the following tips:

  • Maintain personal hygiene. You should never neglect standard rules, especially during times of exhaustion of the body.
  • Pay attention to your diet. During periods of malaise, food should be as light and low-calorie as possible. Broths, dryings, crackers are welcome. Avoid heavy fried foods, including coffee and sweets.
  • Liquid. Drink as much water as possible to avoid the body.
  • Medicines. Take activated carbon or special medications according to the prescription. If this does not help, you should not engage in further self-medication.

If the process of defecation is abundant, artificial conditions for fluid retention in the body can be created. In medical institutions, saline solution is used for this purpose, the contents of which are administered intravenously through a dropper. At home, a saline solution is used as an alternative.

The beneficial properties of salt have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora. They destroy pathogenic bacteria, remove toxins and waste, without affecting the substances needed by the body. The solution can be used only if there is no allergy to any of the components contained.

Diarrhea 4-5 days

If diarrhea does not subside by 4-5 days, most likely the body is affected by an infection. Carefully analyze your health:

  • Is there fever? During periods of illness, the temperature can rise to 38-39 o C.
  • Are you worried about pain in the area, what kind? Sharp, aching, spasms.
  • What is a chair? Are there any blood impurities?

Contact your doctor. If you are unable to visit the hospital, call them at home and explain the situation. In this case, medication use should be monitored by a specialist to avoid complications.

What to do if diarrhea persists for more than 10 days?

With a duration of 10 days or more, the malaise progresses to the stage of acute diarrhea. The risk of having a serious illness increases. Let us remind you that treating diarrhea will not get rid of the true cause of the gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Therapy should be a comprehensive approach, with the necessary tests, under the supervision of a doctor.

Possible reasons

On average, a healthy person visits the restroom once or twice a day. Regularity depends on the characteristics of the body, lifestyle and diet. Abnormal bowel movements for more than 2 days may occur under the following circumstances:

  1. Small. If it enters the stomach, low-quality or insufficiently disinfected food can cause discomfort.
  2. Emotional stress. The nervous conditions experienced the day before, one way or another, are reflected in the body. Overexcitation, fear, fright, and stressful situations cause abdominal cramps, which may well lead to loose stools.
  3. Reaction to unfamiliar food. Food that differs from everyday food can create all the conditions for this type of ailment.
  4. Food allergies. You may not even know that you have food intolerance if you have never encountered it. Analyze your last meals and identify the possible allergen that caused the diarrhea.
  5. Consequence of taking medications. Often such reactions occur after a long course of laxatives and antibiotics. Possible side effects are written in the instructions for all medications.
  6. A change of scenery. A common situation during travel. Changes in climate, living conditions, and diet contribute.

All of the above can act as a motivator.

Loose stools are a symptom of illness

A number of diseases associated with diarrhea:

  • Acute deficiency of digestive enzymes in the body.
  • The course of inflammatory processes - ulcers, gastritis, UC (nonspecific ulcerative), hepatitis.
  • Poisoning with toxic substances.
  • Bowel cancer.

If diarrhea and fever do not subside on the second day, this may indicate the presence in the body of:

  • Viruses. The result is intestinal flu.
  • Shigella. In addition to the main indicators of gastrointestinal dysfunction, tenesmus (false urges) is added.
  • E. coli. Can enter the body through food or from another person.
  • Salmonella. Infection occurs through consumption of poorly heat-treated food.

Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment for prolonged diarrhea. It is possible that the patient needs hospital treatment. Consultation with a doctor is necessary!

The danger of prolonged diarrhea in a child

Diarrhea in children occurs no less often than in adults. The frequency of diarrhea in infants is due to the insufficiently strengthened immune system and digestive system. The gastrointestinal tract continues to “adjust” its processes. The nutrition of naturally fed children should remain unchanged. Breast milk contains a number of beneficial microelements that a baby needs for recovery. If your baby is fed formula, pay attention to special products intended for feeding during this period.

One of the possible causes of diarrhea in one-year-olds is a violation of the regime.

Diarrhea in a child

The causes of diarrhea in children are the same as in adults, except that a child, due to his curiosity, can consciously pull dirty foreign objects into his mouth, which will be a possible reason for infection to enter the body and the appearance of unstable stool.

For children of any age it is a kind of test of the strength of the body. With imperfect functioning of internal organs and weak immunity, consequences may remain:

  • intolerance to the product that causes the reaction;
  • in the process, a large amount of fluid may be lost along with potassium and sodium, which leads to an imbalance in the water-salt balance.

It is urgently necessary to carry out a stomach cleansing procedure in order to protect the child from subsequent poisoning by poisons and other harmful substances.

First aid for diarrhea

Homemade solution

In addition to medications, water and tea, you need to make a saline solution. Salt treats diarrhea, acts as a disinfectant and removes bacteria from the body without affecting fluids and nutrients. Preparation of saline solution for adults can be of two types:

Simple solution:

  • 200 ml hot water.
  • Table spoon.
  • A teaspoon of salt. Cooked, sea or iodized will do. The main condition is that it contains no impurities.
  • A tablespoon of sugar.
  • 1/2 teaspoon of soda.
  • Liter of hot water.

Preparation has its own nuances, depending on the age of the child. For 200 ml of hot water, the amount of salt varies:

  • contraindicated for children under 3 years of age;
  • age 3-7: teaspoon;
  • 7-15: one and a half.

Take 100-150 ml every half hour after complete cooling. During the period of loose stools in a child, you need to be careful with this method.

Course for recovery

If you are surprised by diarrhea, you should change your usual behavior:

  1. Drink plenty of boiled water and tea. Especially if defecation is accompanied by vomiting. This will relieve dehydration and help cleanse the body.
  2. Provide peace. During a period of dysfunction, the body spends all its energy on fighting and maintaining vital functions. Avoid physical activity and minimize movements.
  3. Take proven medications as directed. The safest enterosorbent is.
  4. Chills are possible. Create comfortable conditions for yourself; if necessary, dress warmly.
  5. There is no need to lower the temperature at first. Its increase means that the body is fighting an infectious agent.

Any cause of dysfunction in the body is unpleasant. It must be remembered that these inconveniences are temporary.

Diet and nutrition rules

A characteristic feature of impaired defecation is weakness. In addition to plenty of fluid, the body needs additional energy - food. Yes, it is possible that during the peak period of diarrhea, appetite may disappear completely. In this case, you need to wait until it becomes easier and eat.

It is worth giving preference to simple, preferably liquid food. Pay great attention to products that have a “fixing” effect.

Exclude:

  • roast;
  • heavy foods like meat, rich fatty broths;
  • dairy products;
  • mushrooms;
  • eggs;
  • bakery;
  • sweets.

Focus on:

  • boiled rice;
  • unsweetened crackers and dryers (the only exception concerns the consistency of food);
  • low-fat broth;
  • legumes;
  • spicy, spicy food;
  • canned food;
  • alcohol;
  • fruits and berries.

It is worth remembering that if the cause of diarrhea is a food allergy, this product should under no circumstances be included in the diet. Adjust the amount of food according to your own condition. In the first days of illness, it is recommended not to put too much strain on the stomach. With improvement, portions may increase in size.

Prevention

Prevention of gastrointestinal disorders

Analyze the current situation to avoid recurrence of the disease. You should also pay attention to daily habits that can lead to gastrointestinal upset:

  1. Frequency of hygiene procedures. Wash your hands more often and thoroughly. Especially after contact with animals, before eating and after using the restroom.
  2. Pay attention to the expiration date, smell, color and consistency of the products you eat. If the quality is questionable, it is better to refuse.
  3. To avoid an unpleasant surprise, follow all storage conditions for fermented milk and other perishable products.
  4. When traveling, pay special attention to living conditions, quality of food and water. If the latter is doubtful, drink bottled or boiled water.
  5. Before experimenting with the national cuisine of different countries, make sure that your stomach is ready to be tested by sweet, sour, spicy and other “irritating” foods.
  6. Do not be nervous. The consequences of worry can be much more dangerous than a night without sleep. The body always reacts sharply to all emotional shocks.

If you approach the treatment of diarrhea properly and do everything that is required, then the discomfort will begin to subside on the second day. It is important to remember and understand that this symptom in itself is not dangerous. But if you don’t pay attention to your well-being, there is a chance that you will miss the body’s alarm bells. Listen to yourself and be healthy!

Poisoning and diarrhea. What medications will help quickly:

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Chronic diarrhea is a pathological condition in which bowel movements for longer than 2–3 weeks occur more than 2 times a day. In this case, the consistency of the stool differs from normal. This condition indicates the presence of persistent disorders that the body’s compensation mechanisms could not cope with.

What are the causes of chronic diarrhea?

Loose stools in an adult, which are observed for a long time, can be the result of a number of factors and diseases. They determine the course, prognosis and treatment of diarrhea. The main reasons for frequent bowel movements:

Diagnosis of the causes that led to chronic diarrhea should be carried out by a specialist. There is only one reason that the patient can easily detect and eliminate on his own - loose stools when changing his diet. It can occur with daily consumption of a triggering food factor. These products include:


A feature of this type of stool disorder is a clear connection with a change in diet.

Symptoms of diarrhea

The main symptom is frequent loose stools. Depending on the causes that led to chronic diarrhea, inclusions of mucus, pus, blood, whole helminths (roundworms) or their fragments may be observed in the stool. In this case, flatulence, rumbling, seething, and abdominal pain may be observed.

Constantly loose stools may be accompanied by extraintestinal manifestations of diseases that cause diarrhea. With cholecystitis, patients complain of a bitter taste in the mouth, with chronic alcohol intoxication - with a change in skin color, with infectious diseases - with an increase in body temperature. With the allergic nature of the disease, skin rashes occur. External signs of chronic diarrhea may include dry skin and decreased elasticity. Thirst bothers patients to a lesser extent than with an acute process.

Diagnosis of diarrhea

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to know when and how the disease occurred, which preceded the increase in bowel movements. Information about the duration of the disease, the characteristics of its course, daily fluctuations (which complaints predominate in the morning, after meals, etc.) is also important. With palpation, it is possible to establish not only the localization of maximum pain, but also the presence of neoplasms.

Blood (general analysis, liver enzymes, antibodies, etc.), urine (OAM) and feces (coprogram, analysis for helminth eggs, occult blood) are subjected to laboratory research methods. The results provide extensive information for differential diagnosis. This method allows us to identify the functional state of organs and systems, the degree of development of pathological changes, their cause and course in dynamics. It is especially important because the arsenal of instrumental diagnostic methods for diarrhea is scarce (endoscopic methods, intestinal x-rays). Ultrasound in this case will provide little information due to swelling of the intestinal loops.

What to do for chronic diarrhea?

If you notice frequent loose stools lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks, you need to start treatment. The only factor that the patient can independently exclude is food. When consuming foods that are not suitable for consumption even in minimal quantities, they must be completely eliminated. Such cases include allergic reactions to foods and enzyme deficiency (lactase, celiac disease, etc.). They must be avoided. If you eat a large number of foods that in normal quantities do not lead to diarrhea, you need to temporarily exclude them from the diet. After a 2-3 day break and stool normalization, they can be eaten with a gradual increase in quantity. These dishes should not be overused.

To stop diarrhea, you must consult a doctor. He will conduct a diagnosis and find out why changes have occurred in the body. Frequent loose stools can be a sign of serious diseases. Timely initiation of adequate treatment increases the chances of recovery.

It could have many reasons. Diarrhea is often accompanied by high fever, abdominal cramps and vomiting. It does not cause significant problems for adults, but children can have quite serious complications.

Causes of loose stools in adults

An adult may have loose stools due to drinking dirty or unboiled water, allergies to food or medications. Do not rule out the presence of an intestinal infection or stress. Diseases such as ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, Crohn's disease and malabsorption can also lead to diarrhea.

Adults usually cope with this ailment on their own. Unless, of course, diarrhea struck in distant Asian or African countries. You cannot do without the help of doctors here, because the infections that are in the air there can lead to death.

Treatment of loose stool in an adult

During diarrhea, you need to drink a lot of warm liquid: broth, water or tea. Alcohol, coffee, juices and milk should not be consumed under any circumstances. In order for the digestive tract to completely absorb the incoming liquid, you need to drink often and in small sips. This is the only way to prevent dehydration and prevent fluid from passing through the body like through a pipe.

If you don’t want to eat, you don’t need to do it, the main thing is to drink. As soon as you have an appetite, you can eat bananas, rice, crackers or oatmeal, that is, anything that will help consolidate the stool and calm the digestive tract.

Diarrhea rarely lasts more than two days. If the diet does not help, you can start taking medications. The cheapest product is Activated Carbon, the fastest is Imodium. There are also a huge number of medications for diarrhea, each person buys what suits him best.

To prevent this unpleasant phenomenon from happening in the future, it is necessary to take preventive measures, for example, washing your hands before eating and after going outside, and choosing food carefully. Eggs, meat, and milk can contain large amounts of bacteria. In order to destroy them, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the products and carry out proper heat treatment. Boards, knives and utensils in the kitchen must be in perfect condition. You cannot keep food out of the refrigerator for a long time; it can quickly spoil.

What is diarrhea?

If you can’t get rid of diarrhea at home, you need to call an ambulance or just go to the hospital. Dehydration is the least of which prolonged diarrhea can lead to. If it's all about infection, the consequences can be very dire.

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The prostate gland is an important male organ in the male reproductive system. About the importance of prevention and timely...
Intestinal dysbiosis is a very common problem faced by both children and adult patients. The disease is accompanied...
Injuries to the genital organs develop as a result of falls, especially on sharp and piercing objects, during sexual intercourse, during insertion into the vagina...