Diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the frequent discharge of loose, watery stools.
- Acute diarrhea lasts from a day to two weeks.
- Chronic diarrhea lasts from two weeks to a month.
- Feeling that something is stuck in the throat or behind the breastbone
Symptoms that may accompany diarrhea:
- Abdominal bloating with cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Weight loss.
- Fever and elevated body temperature.
- Urgent need to defecate.
Causes of diarrhea:
- Infection caused by bacteria, which is the main cause of most food poisoning cases.
- Eating foods that irritate the digestive system.
- Certain medications.
- Radiation therapy.
- Intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Certain types of cancer such as colon cancer and pancreatic cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
When to see a doctor?
You should inform a doctor if persistent diarrhea is accompanied by some of the following signs:
- Dark or scanty urine.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Severe skin dryness.
- Confusion
Diagnosis of diarrhea:
- Complete blood count.
- Stool test to determine if the cause is bacterial or parasitic.
- Colonoscopy.
Treatment of diarrhea:
- Medication
- Tips for treating diarrhea:
1- Drink at least six glasses of water daily.
2- Consume beverages with meals instead of drinking them between meals.
3- Drink fluids consistently every day.
Prevention of diarrhea:
Prevention measures include:
- Access to clean drinking water.
- Good personal and food hygiene.
- Regular hand washing with soap.
- Health education on how infections spread.
