What Is Diarrhea?

Frequent, watery and loose stools are the characteristic & diagnostic features of Diarrhea. In most cases, Diarrhea is caused by contamination or infection and resolves itself within a week. Long-term Diarrhea usually indicates an underlying serious problem. Based on the duration, symptoms and severity, Diarrhea can be classified into a few major types.

Globally, WHO, or the World Health Organisation, has reported nearly 1.7 billion childhood cases of Diarrhea. It causes extreme malnutrition in infants and young children and makes it tough for them to recover their health. In fact, it is one of the major causes of infant deaths, according to a UNICEF report of 2021, when Diarrhea accounted for 9% of all deaths of kids under 5.

In India, Diarrhea has a prevalence of 9.2% nationally. 9.5% of the male children and 8.9% of female children struggle with severe Diarrhea. On top of this, around 8 states and union territories in India have percentages more than the national average. Even if the figure seems small, its effect is large and frighteningly deadly in infants and young children.

Types Of Diarrhea

Types of Diarrhea are clinically classified based on its duration and symptoms. Some common types of Diarrhea are listed as follows –

1. Short-term/acute: Acute Diarrhea is caused by infection or contamination and lasts up to 2 weeks.
2. Long-term/chronic: Long-term Diarrhea may last several weeks because of underlying severe disorders. This often needs immediate medical attention.
3. Acute watery Diarrhea: This type of Diarrhea may last several days and includes cholera.
4. Acute bloody Diarrhea: It can last several days and includes bleeding. It is also called dysentery.
5. Persistent Diarrhea: When Diarrhea and its symptoms last for 14 days or longer, it is known as persistent Diarrhea. Persistent Diarrhea may indicate poor gastrointestinal health.
6. Traveler’s Diarrhea: It is caused by consuming contaminated food or water in unfamiliar areas and often lasts a few days.
7. Osmotic Diarrhea: It occurs when unabsorbed substances draw water into the intestines, commonly due to sugars or artificial sweeteners.
8. Secretory Diarrhea: It is caused by toxins or hormones leading to excessive water secretion in the intestines and sometimes persists even without food intake.
9. Exudative Diarrhea: It results from inflammation or infection, and may involve mucus or blood in stools. The symptoms may be similar to dysentery.

Differentiation Between Normal Stool Variation And Diarrhea

Understanding the difference between normal stool variations and Diarrhea is essential for identifying potential health issues. Normal stool can vary in color, texture, and frequency due to factors like diet, hydration, and minor digestive fluctuations.

Healthy stool is typically soft and formed, with a frequency range from three times per day to three times per week. Diarrhea, on the other hand, is defined by sudden, frequent, and loose or watery stools, often accompanied by urgency and abdominal discomfort. This change in stool consistency and frequency is generally caused by an underlying trigger, such as an infection, food intolerance, or a digestive disorder, rather than a simple dietary or lifestyle factor.

Recognizing these distinctions helps in deciding when to monitor symptoms or seek medical advice, especially if Diarrhea persists beyond a few days, indicating a potential underlying condition.

Causes Of Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused because of different reasons and underlying issues. Different causes of Diarrhea lead to varying types of Diarrhea. The common causes are listed below. Some of these do not lead to serious complications and the Diarrhea caused by these goes away on its own after a few days. However, other causes may lead to severe Diarrhea, whose symptoms prevent the patient from engaging in everyday activities. If you experience severe signs and symptoms, consult your physician immediately.

1. Bacterial infection
2. Viral infection
3. Food intolerance or resistance
4. Allergies to specific food items, like celiac, gluten, etc.
5. Parasites
6. Allergic reaction to medicines
7. Intestinal diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease
8. Functional bowel disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome
9. Adverse effects of abdominal surgery
10. Excessive antibiotic use
11. Metabolic or hormonal imbalance
12. Damage from radiation or underlying tumors
13. Traveler’s Diarrhea is caused by the intake of contaminated food or water.

Symptoms Of Diarrhea

How can you identify that you’re suffering from Diarrhea? Generally, loose motions in Diarrhea are the first indicative symptom. Regardless of the type, some symptoms of Diarrhea remain common. These are listed below –

1. Abdominal cramps
2. Stomach pain
3. Excessive bloating
4. Nausea
5. Frequent urge to go to the bathroom
6. Fever
7. Bloody stools
8. Incontinence or being unable to control your stools
9. Dehydration

Dehydration is a serious side effect of Diarrhea. It has its own symptoms that present themselves in various ways by inhibiting everyday functions. These symptoms include:

• Extreme thirst
• Irregular urination
• Dry skin, mouth and nostrils
• Excessive tiredness
• Lightheadedness
• Increased heart rate
• Dark urine

Similarly, symptoms of dehydration in infants include:

• Sunken fontanelle in infants
• Not having a wet diaper for several hours
• Dry mouth and tongue
• High fever
• Crying without tears
• Drowsiness, irritation or unresponsiveness
• Sunken appearance

Diagnosis Of Diarrhea

The diagnosis of Diarrhea begins with a differential to identify the potential causes by narrowing the symptoms. Common possibilities include:

• Bacterial, viral, parasitic infections: Infections like salmonella, norovirus, or giardia can cause acute Diarrhea.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): It is characterised by chronic Diarrhea. IBS is identified by specific patterns in stool frequency and consistency, often without infection or inflammation.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause bloody Diarrhea and abdominal pain.
• Food Intolerances and Allergies: Lactose intolerance or celiac disease leads to Diarrhea after eating trigger foods.
• Medication Side Effects: Antibiotics, laxatives, and certain medications may induce Diarrhea.

To supplement the diagnosis and find the underlying cause of Diarrhea, doctors and physicians prescribe a set of tests that are used as tools. These are elaborated below:

1. Stool sample test: Stool analysis is conducted for traces of abnormal bacteria in the digestive tract or intestines.
2. Sigmoidoscopy: The physician will examine a part of the large intestine by inserting a flexible tube through the rectum.
3. Colonoscopy: The entire large intestine is examined in this test to check for abnormal growth, ulcers, or bleeding.
4. Biopsy: A tissue sample from the intestinal tract is removed to examine for any abnormalities.
5. Imaging tests: These tests are conducted to check for structural abnormalities.
6. Fasting tests: The physician would prescribe these tests to check for any food allergies or intolerance.
7. Blood tests: Metabolic or hormonal imbalance, disruption in vitamin levels and similar underlying diseases can be diagnosed through blood tests. The results help in examining gastrointestinal health.

Risk Factors And Complications Of Diarrhea

Triggers that can potentially cause severe issues are called risk factors for Diarrhea. Complications of Diarrhea most often present themselves in infants, young children, old people, and those with a compromised immune system. In such instances, seeking a doctor’s consultation is crucial.

1. Exposure to bacteria, viruses, parasites, and pathogens can lead to infection and cause Diarrhea
2. Consuming certain types of food despite allergies or previous records of intolerance can lead to an upset stomach and Diarrhea
3. Several types of medications, like suppressants, laxatives, and antibiotics, if not suitable, can lead to Diarrhea.

These complications result from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which are especially risky for infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, as mentioned above. Dehydration may lead to dizziness, low blood pressure, kidney issues, and even fainting. Long-lasting Diarrhea can also result in malnutrition, as essential nutrients aren’t absorbed efficiently. In children, chronic Diarrhea can lead to stunted growth or developmental delays. Thus, managing Diarrhea early is vital for avoiding these health risks and ensuring a faster recovery.

Prevention Of Diarrhea

Exercising basic caution can help prevent Diarrhea caused by bacteria or viruses. Some cautionary steps that we can practice are –

1. Regularly wash hands, especially after interaction with potentially unclean surfaces.
2. Use sanitizers to get rid of germs and pathogens.
3. Only consume uncontaminated food and water.
4. Ensuring all food items are cleaned and cooked thoroughly.
5. Avoid consuming tap water directly.
6. Refrain from drinking milk that hasn’t been pasteurised.
7. Do not consume uncooked or rare-cooked meat and fish.
8. Avoid food from street vendors.
9. Vaccinate children against common viral infections that can potentially lead to severe Diarrhea.

When To See A Doctor For Diarrhea?

As mentioned above, acute Diarrhea usually goes away on its own and rarely needs serious treatment. However, any other type of Diarrhea will need immediate diagnosis and treatment from a doctor. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you must consult a physician or a doctor immediately.

1. Long-term Diarrhea
2. A greater amount of stools
3. Severe dehydration
4. Dizziness
5. Bleeding caused by Diarrhea
6. Black stools
7. Vomiting
8. Frequent urge to use the bathroom
9. Fever caused by Diarrhea

Diarrhea Treatment

A basic stool analysis is often conducted to find the causes of Diarrhea. Once diagnosed, Diarrhea treatment majorly includes treating the dehydration caused by it. Firstly, doctors focus on rehydrating the patient’s body through ORS or oral rehydration salts, a mixture of water, salt, and sugar. The main purpose is to enable the intestines to absorb essential electrolytes. Additionally, zinc supplements reduce Diarrhea by 25% and stool volume by up to 30%. Thus, these are often prescribed together with ORS.

In case of severe dehydration, rehydration via intravenous fluids or an IV is encouraged. Doctors also recommend that patients consume nutrient-rich foods.

Probiotics and Dietary Changes

Probiotics, like those found in yogurt and kefir, can help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. These probiotics compete with harmful bacteria, enabling a healthier gut environment and reducing the duration and frequency of Diarrhea.

Diet Recommendations

When experiencing Diarrhea, doctors recommend a “BRAT” diet – Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast. This diet is gentle on the stomach and provides easy-to-digest carbohydrates. Staying hydrated with water and oral rehydration solutions is of utmost importance. Avoiding foods that irritate the digestive system and are tough to digest, such as caffeine, dairy (if lactose intolerant), and extremely processed foods, helps reduce symptoms and encourages faster recovery. Once symptoms improve, gradually reintroducing a balanced diet helps maintain gut health.

Alternative Therapies for Diarrhea

In addition to conventional and allopathic treatments, certain natural remedies may help manage mild Diarrhea. Herbal teas, like ginger and chamomile, have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that may help reduce intestinal cramping. Psyllium husk and other soluble fibers can absorb excess water in the intestines, which helps bulk up stool and reduce symptoms in mild, non-infectious Diarrhea cases.

However, it’s essential to remember that these alternate recommendations are only for very mild Diarrhea. Any cases of severe Diarrhea require a doctor’s consultation.

Managing Acute Diarrhea Without Medication

Sometimes, if you have acute and mild Diarrhea, you might be able to manage it at home without excessive medication. Some ways to do so are –

1. Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids.
2. Choose low-fiber foods to help firm your stools.
3. Avoid caffeine and alcohol to reduce dehydration.
4. Limit gas-producing foods to prevent discomfort.
5. Temporarily refrain from dairy products if lactose intolerant.

Why Choose Drome Clinic For Diarrhea?

Diarrhea and dehydration often cause severe hindrance in the patient’s day-to-day life. Because of this, treating them as soon as possible is essential. At Drome Clinic, you are guaranteed to get the best treatment and top facilities from expert doctors. Here are some reasons why Drome Clinic has been one of the best consistently –

1. Drome Clinic has many healthcare options that you can access at your doorstep. From home visits to teleconsultations, our doctors and advisors have only the top healthcare facilities for you, regardless of the location.
2. We have a dedicated team of family physicians and surgeons with decades of experience in providing the best facilities.
3. We also cater to medical certificates and adult vaccinations. Minor injuries are always tended to right away, ensuring you have a solution immediately.
4. Through our expert services, Drome Clinic has served more than 6,000 patients, conducted 2,000+ online consultations, and has a cumulative experience of more than 80 years.

With Drome Clinic, you can rest assured that you will receive the best service and treatment from the country’s top doctors.

FAQs

Q1. What is the cause of Diarrhea?

The most common cause of Diarrhea is bacterial or viral infection caused by contaminated food and water. However, some severe forms of Diarrhea can be a symptom of a serious underlying disease, like irritable bowel syndrome or tumors.

Q2. When should you worry about Diarrhea in adults?

When Diarrhea lasts more than 2 to 3 days and has little to no improvement, it is time to consult a doctor. Also, if you encounter bloody stools, severe dehydration, or dizziness, it is essential to book a consultation.

Q3. What is the best treatment for Diarrhea?

Some over-the-counter medicines from the local pharmacist can help fix Diarrhea quickly. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before ingesting any medicines.

Q4. What is acute vs chronic Diarrhea?

Acute Diarrhea refers to Diarrhea that lasts only a few days and is most likely caused by an infection. Chronic Diarrhea is when it lasts for several days or more than 2 weeks and is non-infectious.

Q5. What is the cause of acute Diarrhea?

Acute Diarrhea is often caused by viral or bacterial infections or food poisoning. It typically lasts less than two weeks.